More moggy protection: IAM RoadSmart backs changes to the Road Traffic Act

Those unfortunate enough to hit a cat on their bike or in their car could soon be forced to stop and report the incident to police by UK law.

As it stands, the Road Traffic Act 1988 states that riders and drivers must report incidents with animals including dogs, horses, pigs, and sheep, however cats slip through the net – despite an estimated 11 million being owned in the UK. That’s one in four households, or around 26%.

Safety institute IAM RoadSmart are now backing changes to the law, with insurers PetPlan finding an average of 630 felines got hit by car every day on UK roads in 2022.

Neil Greig, Director of Policy and Research at IAM RoadSmart, said: “We have witnessed cars either drive slow and with extreme caution, or stop, when a dog has run loose into the road. However, the same level of care is rarely observed when a cat runs out – perhaps because the driver knows that, legally, they do not have to stop.

“But, if a law requiring drivers to stop if they hit a cat were to be brought in, we believe it could strengthen driver vigilance and responsibility overall – meaning the benefits of the legislation will stretch far beyond the protection of cats.” 

Co-Founder of traffic accident group, Cats Matter, Mandy Hobbis, added: “Updating this law simply boils down to minimising suffering and saving cats’ lives. Thankfully, many drivers already do the right thing and stop their vehicle to tend to a cat they have run over, regardless of the legislation being in place. However, there are also drivers who sadly need the threat of punishment to act in such circumstances.  

“It simply can’t be right that drivers can hit a cat and legally leave them alone, scared, or worse, left to die. Like dogs, cats are loved members of the family for millions of households up and down the country, so we see no reason why sad instances of the nation’s beloved cats being run over on the road should not be treated in the same way.” 

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Find out how to stay out of trouble on your bike in the video below: