2022 Highway Code Modifications

2022 Highway Code Modifications: Millions of UK Motorists Are Uninformed

The Highway Code witnessed a series of important modifications at the start of this year, but millions of motorists do not know about them, according to a study conducted by the IAM Roadsmart charity.

The charity organization questioned 1,000 motorists and came to know that 20 per cent of those had no idea of changes in rules.

If this study's result represents the whole UK, it means around 7 million motorists are driving without knowing the changes, likely putting themselves and others in danger. Half of the participants in the study said that the government didn’t make reasonable efforts to convey the alterations to the Highway Code.

“An alarming number of motorists are driving on Britain’s roads without awareness of key changes which fundamentally shift the dynamics of shared use,” stated IAM RoadSmart policy director Neil Greig. “This is a serious safety risk which could actually see the updated code causing more conflict on our roads rather than less.”

From 29 January, pedestrians take precedence while crossing road junctions, whereas cyclists get preference when passing a turning vehicle, according to the new grading of road users. Hojol Uddin, a motoring lawyer at JMW Solicitors, said these new regulations would offer cyclists the confidence to take extra chances on the road.

 “My concern is there will be a situation where car owners are more likely to be prosecuted now than they were before,” he said while speaking to Auto Express.

Uddin also communicated his apprehension regarding the Department for Transport (DfT) that was “railroading” the new regulations without suitably notifying the community first.

Although the Highway Code has been updated online, the hard copies of new regulations won’t arrive until spring.

While the DfT has created a plan to convey new rules to the public, a representative from Cycling UK said that inadequate communication was a problem.

Duncan Dollimore, Cycling UK’s head of campaigns, expressed: "Many people won't have read the Highway Code for years, so it's essential that the key changes are clearly explained, with simple, accurate, and memorable messages."

2022 Highway Code modifications

Rule H1: New hierarchy of road users

Since motorists owing vehicles can cause the maximum destruction in case of an accident, they also bear the most onus to be careful and minimize the risks to others. This rule spreads over to motorists owing HGVs, LGVs, cars/taxis, and motorcycles. Similarly, cyclists and horse riders have a duty to diminish hazards to walkers.

Rule H2: New precedence for walkers at junctions

At an intersection, motorists, motorcyclists, horse riders, and cyclists should give precedence to walkers crossing or holding on to cross a street into which or from which you are turning. You must offer a way to walkers anticipating to cross a zebra crossing (previously, you just had to offer a way if they were already on the crossing) and to walkers and cyclists hanging on to go across a parallel crossing.

Rule H3: New precedence for cyclists when vehicles are turning

You must not cross cyclists, horse riders, or horse-drawn vehicles running ahead while turning into or out of an intersection or altering course or lane. It is applicable when they are on a cycle path, a cycle track, or going ahead on the way. Giving them a way should be the priority.

You should not take a turn at an intersection if it causes the cyclist, horse rider, or horse-drawn vehicle going directly onward to halt or veer off. You must stop and stay in a safe space in the flow of cyclists if essential.

Source and Images: Auto Express UK