Road Safety and Changes to the UK Highway Code

Some of it seems common sense, but I have concerns about safety

Several people starting to cross a road
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

In a few days, changes to the highway code are being introduced here in the UK. However, I don’t think some of the new rules have been thought through very well.

In some ways, the situation reminds me of the introduction of smart motorways, where they didn’t think losing the hard shoulder would affect safety.

Pedestrians Now Have Priority at Junctions

If someone is waiting to cross a side road, the new rules say the motorist has to stop and let them cross.

Of all the changes, this one concerns me the most — it sounds like it’s encouraging jaywalking!

I can understand why people think it’s a good idea. In busy places, it can be hard to cross, even for those who are quick on their feet.
My concern is that some people will step into the road, without giving drivers time to react.
And what if a driver is being tailgated, when they slam on their brakes because a pedestrian runs across the road? It sounds like a recipe for rear-end collisions.

At night, especially if it’s raining and there’s no street lighting, it might be hard to see a pedestrian who is about to cross a side road. However, the pedestrian will see the driver’s headlights and hear their vehicle, so surely they should bear at least some responsibility?

Existing crossings are well-lit and clearly marked. They are designed with safety in mind — an average junction is never going to be as safe. Perhaps it’s a money-saving scheme. If every junction is treated like a crossing, fewer crossings will be needed.

Finally, there is the question of how far away from the junction the new rule applies. And even if it only applies to the junction itself, will some people expect vehicles to let them cross anywhere along the entire road?

Hierarchy of Road Users

Road users who can do the most harm will now have the greatest responsibility to avoid harming others.

This places the most responsibility on lorry drivers and the least on pedestrians.

In general, it seems like a sensible idea. My only concern is whether people will attempt to blame the person highest up the chain, regardless of how the other person was behaving.

Will people start behaving more responsibly? Will drivers of heavy goods vehicles stop tailgating cars on the motorway? Will cars drive slower and give more room when passing horses?

Drivers Must Now Give Priority to Cyclists Who Are Turning

In some ways, this seems like common sense. If a cyclist is about to turn left at the same time as me, I’ve always given them room to turn — it’s just common courtesy.

I’m a cyclist and a motorist, so I can see things from both sides. Perhaps my biggest concern is that some cyclists go very fast, so even if they are not the first to arrive at a junction, they might still expect priority over a motorist who has just started turning.

Final Thoughts

There seems to be a trend of introducing rules for specific situations.

Previously, this has happened with mobile phones, which I would have thought were already covered by driving without due care and attention.

I think enforcing the existing rules would be better than making changes or adding new rules. When things are made more complicated, it gives rise to grey areas that haven’t occurred to those who make the rules.

I hope I’m wrong about my safety concerns over these latest changes.

Do you think they are a good idea?

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External Links

gov.uk — Executive summary

autoexpress.co.uk — 2022 Highway Code Changes

theguardian.com — Common myths about what UK Highway Code changes will mean

theguardian.com — Are smart motorways safe?

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