From January 29th 2022 the Highway Code is being updated in order to make the roads safer for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.
What is the Highway Code?
The Highway Code is a comprehensive guide to the rules of the road, it is essential reading for every road user, whether you drive a vehicle, are a pedestrian, cyclist or horse rider you should know the highway code.
What changes are being made?
Ultimately the updates to the highway code are to improve safety for all road users.
Rule H1
One change is the ‘Hierarchy of Road Users’ this is a concept that places those most at risk in the event of a collision at the top of the hierarchy. This does not remove the need for those at the top of the hierarchy to behave responsibly.
- Pedestrians
- Cyclists
- Horse riders
- Motorcyclists
- Cars/taxis
- Vans/minibuses
- Large passenger vehicles/heavy goods vehicles
Rule H2
This rule is aimed at drivers, motorists, horse riders and cyclists.
- At a junction, you should give way to a pedestrian crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning.
- Drivers should also give way to pedestrians waiting to cross at zebra crossings, and pedestrians and cyclists waiting to cross a parallel crossing.
- Cyclists should give way to pedestrians on shared-use cycle tracks and are reminded that only pedestrians (including wheelchair and mobility scooter users) can use the pavement.
- Pedestrians are allowed to use cycle tracks unless there is a road sign nearby that prohibits it.
Rule H3
This rule is for drivers to give priority to cyclists in certain situations.
- For drivers and motorcyclists to not cut across cyclists when turning into or out of a junction or changing direction or lane
- Drivers are meant to stop and wait for a safe gap when cyclists are approaching, passing or moving away from a junction. When cyclists are moving past or waiting alongside still of slow-moving traffic and when travelling on a roundabout.
Rule 72
For cyclists
When riding on the roads there are two basic road positions you should adopt depending on the situation.
Ride in the centre of your lane, to make yourself as clearly visible as possible in the following situations:
- On quiet roads or streets – if a faster vehicle comes behind you move to the left to enable them to overtake, if you can do so safely
- In slower-moving traffic – when the traffic around you starts to flow more freely, move over to the left if you can do so safely so that faster vehicles can overtake
- At the approach to junctions or road narrowing where it would be unsafe for drivers to overtake you.
When riding on busy roads, with vehicles moving faster than you allow them to overtake where it is safe to do so whilst keeping at least 0.5 meters away from the curb edge.
Other Changes
The ‘Dutch Reach’, this suggests you should open your door using your hand on the opposite side to the door your opening, for example as a driver you would use your left hand to open the driver side door, this naturally makes you turn your head to look over your shoulder.
Electric vehicle owners are being reminded that charging cables can provide a trip hazard for pedestrians, you should park close to the charge point and display a warning sign if you can.
Read the full ‘Table of Changes’