Changes to the Highway Code
Changes to the Highway Code, designed to improve road safety for people cycling, riding horses or driving horse drawn vehicles and pedestrians, came into force on 29th January 2022.
The updated code states that while all road users are responsible for their own safety and that of other road users “those in charge of vehicles that can cause the greatest harm in the event of a collision bear the greatest responsibility to take care and reduce the danger they pose to others”.
The Hierarchy of Road Users has been introduced, this principle particularly applies to:
- Large goods and passenger vehicles
- Vans & minibuses
- Cars & taxis
- Motorcyclists
Pedestrian Safety
Rule H2 in the updated Highway Code states that “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”
Cyclist, horse rider and horse drawn vehicle safety
Rule H3 applies to drivers and motorcyclists and states “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”.
Click here for full information on the updates to the Highway Code. If you would like to review your Commercial Motor Fleet Insurance please get in touch with the team at Lockyers or call 01924 278222.
