H&S is full of urban myth and often misunderstood. Health and safety doesn't necessarily prevent tasks, but seeks to reduce the potential for harm, by inviting a risk assessment, which, if done properly will give an idea what risk prevention measures can be introduced to reduce that risk. one example is skiing, which has inherent risks, yet is not 'banned' by health and safety. Conkers in schools, has been mis-reported as a H&S banned activity, when in fact it was an insurance control.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/myth/september.htm see others
HERE
If, as the Paris story states, there was a period of study resulting in a reduction in accidents, (which I think is what H&S sets out to achieve), it is understandable that the 'giving way' rather than stopping, and queueing beside motor vehicles can reduce accidents. One of the big problems with RLJ'ers is the speed with which cyclists cross beyond the stop line, and giving way means just that - (no 'right of way') which is covered by the 'must cede to pedestrians and other road users'.
I thinks it;s a great way to change the management of junctions, which all to often are traversed with too high a speed - if roundabouts are driven slowly, the spaces to enter become much more manageable, and traffic flows much more smoothly.
