Christopher Walton of the Road Transport Group (H&H letters, February 11) says that 100 per cent of cyclists involved in fatal accidents them saw the truck before the accident and that: The simple way for cyclists to reduce the number of road deaths is

Christopher Walton of the Road Transport Group (H&H letters, February 11) says that 100 per cent of cyclists involved in fatal accidents them saw the truck before the accident and that: ''The simple way for cyclists to reduce the number of road deaths is to stay well clear of HGVs.''

As Mr Walton must know, the most significant danger to cyclists from HGVs occurs when a truck overtakes a cyclist and immediately turns left without registering the risk of collision.

Seeing the lorry is not enough to save the cyclist. It is high time that drivers of these potentially lethal vehicles accept responsibility for their actions. His statement, issued by a senior figure in the road transport industry, is irresponsible and unacceptable.

Stefano Casalotti, Jean Dollimore

Camden Cyclists, NW5