The new year brings new changes to the Highway Code.
RULE H1: NEW HIERARCHY OF ROAD USERS.
Drivers 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
to others. This principle applies most strongly
to drivers of HGVs, LGVs, cars/taxis and motorcycles. Cyclists and horse riders have a responsibility to reduce danger to pedestrians.
RULE H2: NEW PRIORITY FOR PEDESTRIANS AT JUNCTIONS.
Drivers, motorcyclists and cyclists should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning. You should give way to pedestrians waiting at a zebra crossing (currently it’s only if they are already crossing), and to pedestrians and cyclists waiting to cross a parallel crossing.
RULE H3: PRIORITY FOR CYCLISTS WHEN CARS ARE TURNING.
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. You should give way whether they are using the road, a cycle lane or cycle track. 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 if necessary.
