Are You Aware Of Recent Changes To The Highway Code?

In January 2022 the Government effected changes to the Highway Code. There has been a survey recently in which 61% of respondents advised they were not aware of the changes. Unfortunately for drivers or other road users, the indifferent attitude to choosing whether to read the Highway Code and comply may be costly. Insurance companies may not cover them if a serious injury is caused by their negligent driving.

The new rules in the changes to the Highway Code are:

1. Hierarchy of Road Users - Here users of vehicles must be responsible to cyclists, horse riders and motor cyclists, who in turn should be responsible to pedestrians in that they should take care and reduce the dangers to others.
2. Users at junctions - Motor Vehicle users must give way to pedestrians on zebra crossings and to both pedestrians and cyclists on a parallel crossing. This is even when the pedestrians and cyclists are attempting to cross the road.
   • Example: a car is turning right into a parallel junction and a pedestrian is just about the cross the road. Historically the driver could turn right as they had right of way, but now the rule has changed and the driver must allow the pedestrian to cross.
   • Other updates are:
     • Horse riders must give way to pedestrians on zebra crossings and to pedestrians and cyclists on parallel junctions.
     • Cyclists should give way to pedestrians on shared use cycle lanes and to horse riders on bridle ways.
     • Only pedestrians may use pavements which include wheelchair and motability scooter users.
     • Pedestrians may use any part of the road and cycle tracks unless signs specifically prohibit pedestrians.
3. Rules for Drivers and Motorcyclists - Drivers should not cut across cyclists', horse riders, or horse drawn carriages going ahead when you are turning into or out of a junction. This includes when cyclists are:
   • Approaching passing or moving from a junction
   • Moving past or waiting alongside stationary or clearing traffic
   • Travelling around a roundabout.