There have been some changes to the Highway Code, which came into force on Saturday 29th January 2022.
There have been 8 new rules introduced and updates to 49 existing rules.
The most significant addition is the new “Hierarchy of road users”. The new system gives priority to vulnerable road users such as cyclists, pedestrians and horse drawn vehicles.
Under the new “Hierarchy of road users” there have been 3 new rules implemented, Rules H1, H2 and H3.
Rule H1
This rule states ‘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’
This principle applies to large goods and passenger vehicles, including cars and taxis as well as vans, minibuses and motorcycles.
Whilst this indicates pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders are at the top of the hierarchy, they do stress that ALL road users still have a regard for their own, and other road user’s safety.
Rule H2 – Rule for drivers, motorcyclists, horse drawn vehicles, horse riders and cyclists
This rule is very specific about when you should give way to vulnerable road users, including if a pedestrian is waiting to cross a road of which you are turning in to.
The 8 new rules are as follows;
- At a junction you should give way to pedestrians crossing, or waiting to cross a road into 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.
Rule H3 – Rule for drivers and motorcyclists
The third rule 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.’
You should not turn at a junction if it is not safe to do so and may cause the other user to have to stop or swerve your vehicle.
If it is not safe to turn, you should stop and wait for a safe gap.
This also 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
According to the government website, between 2004 – 2020 the following information was found;
- On average, 2 pedal cyclists died and 83 were seriously injured per week in reported road casualties
- A vast majority of the pedal cycle fatalities (59%) did not occur at or within 20m of a junction compared to 32% of all seriously injured casualties
- Almost half (46%) of the pedal cycle fatalities involved in 2 vehicle accidents, involved at least 1 car.
- 56% of the fatalities occurred on rural roads compared to 29% in traffic
Being a chauffeur, you are on the road a lot. It is imperative that all road users are considerate to others and understand their responsibility for the safety of not only themselves, but also other road users.
For further information, please visit
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/introduction#ruleh2
