New Highway Code to give priority to cyclists and pedestrians

Many Brits are still not aware of the significant changes.

Cyclists and pedestrians will be given greater protections on the roads as part of major changes to the Highway Code which come into effect within days.

Many Brits are still unaware that a new ‘hierarchy of road users’ will see extra rules being introduced on roundabouts from Friday, January 29.

Pedestrians will be placed at the top of the pecking order, followed by cyclists, horse riders, cars and taxis, vans and minibuses, with HGVs at the very bottom.

The changes are based on who can cause ‘the greatest harm’ and will prioritise the most vulnerable road users.

This means it is now the responsibility of the person behind the wheel of a van or car to be aware of cyclists, pedestrians, or horse riders.

And someone on a bike will be responsible for looking out for people walking.

Drivers will have to ‘give plenty of room’ to cyclists and not make any attempts to overtake them.

Rule 186 now states: ‘They will be travelling more slowly than motorised traffic.

‘Give them plenty of room and do not attempt to overtake them within their lane.

‘Allow them to move across your path as they travel around the roundabout.

‘Cyclists, horse riders and horse drawn vehicles may stay in the left-hand lane when they intend to continue across or around the roundabout.

‘Drivers should take extra care when entering a roundabout to ensure that they do not cut across cyclists, horse riders or horse drawn vehicles in the left-hand lane, who are continuing around the roundabout.’

The new Highway Code includes a warning to always remember that ‘the people you encounter may have impaired sight, hearing or mobility, and may not be able to see or hear you’.

Worryingly though, at least two in three drivers were unaware of the new rules before Christmas, according to the AA, which polled 13,000 of its customers.

Sir Edmund King, president of the company, told The Mirror there should not be ‘any confusion on the roads’ before the new rules are adopted.

He said: ‘With such fundamental changes to the Highway Code taking place to make our roads safer, we need to ensure road users understand the new rules ahead of time.

‘Getting the message out now would help avoid dangerous situations and remove any confusion on the roads before the new rules are adopted.’

With the changes, the Department for Transport intends to make it much clearer who is at fault in the event of an accident.

It comes as part of a £338million package announced by the government to boost cycling and walking across the country.

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