November 2008 archive

Proving a negative and the onus of proof

Two assertions that I cannot prove: ·      No one, anywhere, ever, has been killed by a bicycle bomb. ·      No life, anywhere, ever, has been saved by the life jacket under their seat.  Anywhere is a large place, and ever is a long time. The most one can do is broadcast an appeal for disproving …

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Seat Belts: the debate goes on, and on

Letter accepted for publication in Significance, December 2008. This is a much abbreviated version of the letter submitted. Apologies for my delayed reply to the Controversy piece by Richard Allsop, et al  (Significance, June 2008) – challenging my piece Britains seatbelt law should be repealed (Significance June 2007). The myth that seat belt laws save lives …

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