On January 29th 2022 10 sections of the highway code were updated, with 50 rules being added or updated.
Whilst new road users may be clued up on the highway code others may struggle after driving for many years and not keeping up to date with it.. this is your chance to get back in the know!
Here are 8 of the changes that you need to know about…
1.Hierarchy of road users
There have been 3 new rules added to the introduction section of the highway code, The 3 new rules are numbered H1, H2, and H3. These include;
ALL road users need to be aware of the highway code, this means understanding their responsibility for other road users.
Be considerate to other road users, this means giving way to pedestrians who are crossing or waiting to cross a road you are turning into.
Understand their responsibility for the safety of others, this means waiting for a cyclist to pass a junction before turning.
2. People crossing the road at junctions
Traffic should give way when people are crossing or waiting to cross a junction.
People crossing have priory and should give way if the people have already started crossing.
3. Walking, cycling or riding in shared spaces
Cyclists are asked not to pass people who are walking closely or at high speed
Cyclists must make walkers aware that they are there by ringing their bell
It is important that cyclists remember people walking may be deaf, partially sighted or blind
4. Positioning in the road when cycling
At junctions and in slower-moving traffic on quiet roads cyclists must stay in the center of their lane.
Cyclists must keep 0.5m from the curb edge and further when it is safe to do so.
Cyclists must leave a door width when passing parked cars to avoid being hit if the car door is opened.
5. Overtaking when driving or cycling
people driving or riding a motorcycle must leave a gap of at least 1.5m when overtaking cyclists when traveling up to 30mph.
At least 2m must be given to people riding horses at speeds under 10mph.
6. People cycling at junctions
When there are no separate cycling facilities at a junction cyclists should position themselves in the center of their chosen lane.
Cyclists should make themselves as visible as possible & avoid being overtaken where dangerous.
7. People cycling, riding a horse and driving horse-drawn vehicles on roundabouts
On roundabouts people driving or riding a motorcycle should not attempt to overtake cyclists.
Drivers should take extra care when entering the roundabout.
8. Charging and leaving vehicles
Drivers/passengers in parked cars should open the door using their hand on the opposite side to the door they are opening. This will make them turn their head to look over their shoulder behind them.
When using an electric vehicle charging point people should park close to the charging point to avoid trip hazards.
