The Highway Code is the rulebook for anyone using the roads in the UK, whether you’re driving, walking, biking or even on horseback.
It’s comprehensive and is a must-read for any road user, covering everything from high-speed motorways to inner-city driving and rural routes.
Every now and again, though, it’s reviewed and updated with the aim of trying to improve road safety for any users. The latest changes came into force at the end of January, and are key to know if you’re on the road. Here are eight key changes to know about.
1. The road hierarchy
Key to this latest round of updates is the fact that there is a new established ‘hierarchy of road users’. This essentially means those that pose the risk to other road users in the event of a collision need to take the most responsibility.
It puts the focus on those in the largest vehicles to be careful of everyone else, though even at a lower level, cyclists should be responsible for the safety of pedestrians.
2. Giving way to pedestrians at junctions
Another big change in the Highway Code concerns people crossing roads at a junction, with pedestrians now having greater priority.
The updated Code now clarifies that ‘when people are crossing or waiting to cross at a junction, other traffic should give way’, while if pedestrians have started crossing, traffic wanting to turn into the road should give way. If you’re a pedestrian, though, it’s worth waiting until traffic has stopped or waved you across the road, and don’t just presume and start to cross.
3.Cyclists’ positioning in the road
Much of the updates to the Highway Code focus around giving cyclists and pedestrians greater protections on the road, and this rule in particularly aims to make it safer for those riding a bike.
The updated guidance now says that cyclists should ‘ride in the centre of their lane on quiet roads, in slower-moving traffic and at the approach to junctions or road narrowings’. Cyclists are also advised to keep at least half a metre away from the kerb or side of the road when riding on busier roads.
Further information has also been given to those cycling in groups, with guidance saying that you ‘can ride two abreast’, and that it’s safer to do so. However, the Highway Code states that groups ‘should be considerate of the needs of other road users’ and ‘be aware of people driving behind them and allow them to overtake’.
4. Overtaking vulnerable road users
The Highway Code has also been updated to try and make it safer for motorists and cyclists overtaking other vulnerable road users – such as those on bikes or riding a horse.
The guidance says that to ensure the safety of others, you should leave at least 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists at up to 30mph, but more space should be given if going faster. You should also ‘allow at least two metres’ when overtaking people riding horses, and at speeds of under 10mph. You should also not overtake unless it’s safe to do so, and if you can meet these clearances.
5. Adopting the ‘dutch reach’ method when getting out of your vehicle
You might think issuing advice on how to open a vehicle door isn’t really needed, but the Highway Code has been updated to try and avoid car drivers or passengers getting out of their vehicles and opening a door onto another road user.
So the code now recommends a technique known as the ‘Dutch Reach’, which is where you use your hand on the opposite side of the door when getting out of the car – using your left hand to open a door on the right-hand-side of the vehicle, for example. By doing this, it encourages you to turn your head and look over your shoulder, meaning you’re more likely to notice anyone that might be walking, cycling or driving past at that moment.
6. Electric car owners
For the first time, the Highway Code has been updated to give guidance to electric car owners and drivers too, and especially when it comes to charging.
It states that anyone charging should ‘park close to the charge point and avoid creating a trip hazard for people walking from trailing cables’. Electric car owners could also display a warning sign.
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