Highway Code Changes, January 2022
General
Posted on: February 10th, 2022
As of 29th January 2022, the following changes have been implemented within the Highway Code which we need to make clients aware of.
1) Hierarchy of Road Users
This now lists road users in accordance with their vulnerability and therefore who are ultimately most at risk when involved in a road traffic collision. This does not take away that all road users will still need to take responsibility when on the roads and have regard for their own safety and safety of others.
The hierarchy is contained in rule H1 of the Highway Code and is as follows and starts with the road users most as risk and therefore the further down the list, the greater onus of care is required.
· Pedestrians
· Cyclists
· Horse Riders
· Drivers of Horse Drawn Carriages
· Motorcyclists
· Cars/Vans
· Large goods vehicles/lorries
2) Rule H2 of the Highway Code - Rule for drivers, motorcyclists, horse drawn vehicles, horse riders and cyclists
At a junction you should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning.
You MUST give way to pedestrians on a zebra crossing, and to pedestrians and cyclists on a parallel crossing.
Pedestrians have priority when on a zebra crossing, on a parallel crossing or at light-controlled crossings when they have a green signal.
You should give way to pedestrians waiting to cross a zebra crossing, and to pedestrians and cyclists waiting to cross a parallel crossing.
Horse riders should also give way to pedestrians on a zebra crossing, and to pedestrians and cyclists on a parallel crossing.
Cyclists should give way to pedestrians on shared use cycle tracks and to horse riders on bridleways.
Only pedestrians may use the pavement. Pedestrians include wheelchair and mobility scooter users.
Pedestrians may use any part of the road and use cycle tracks as well as the pavement, unless there are signs prohibiting pedestrians.
3) Rule H3 of the Highway Code - Rule for drivers and motorcyclists
You should not cut across cyclists, horse riders or horse drawn vehicles going ahead when you are turning into or out of a junction or changing direction or lane, just as you would not turn across the path of another motor vehicle. This applies whether they are using a cycle lane, a cycle track, or riding ahead on the road and you should give way to them.
Do not turn at a junction if to do so would cause the cyclist, horse rider or horse drawn vehicle going straight ahead to stop or swerve.
You should stop and wait for a safe gap in the flow of cyclists if necessary. This includes when cyclists are:
· approaching, passing or moving off from a junction
· moving past or waiting alongside stationary or slow-moving traffic
· travelling around a roundabout