The new guidance to Highway code includes a hierarchy of road users - with drivers expected to be aware of cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders. Nine sections of the code have been updated with 50 rules added or amended - including motorists now expected to give way to people crossing or waiting to cross at a junction.
The changes follow a public consultation on a review of The Highway Code to improve road safety for people walking, cycling and riding horses. It ran from July to October 2020, and received more than 20,000 responses from the public, businesses and other organisations. Most people who responded were in favour of all the changes.
The changes were made to The Highway Code on Saturday 29 January 2022.
Under the new rules, cyclists are now advised to ride in the centre of lanes on quieter roads, in slower-moving traffic, and when approaching junctions, to make themselves as visible as possible.
The code also says that cyclists should be aware of people driving behind them and allow them to overtake when it is safe to do so. Drivers who enjoy listening to music as they travel are being warned to be careful. New rules shake up mean those who carry out a simple action could be fined up to £200. People with music streaming apps like Spotify and Apple Music are most likely to be affected, but the rules apply to anyone with a mobile phone.
The new measures are supposed to boost protection for cyclists and pedestrians despite concerns that millions of drivers are unaware of the changes. Charity Cycling UK welcomed the new code, but also warned that drivers and cyclists needed to be aware of the changes, according to The Telegraph. Charity said the changes must be “communicated with simple, accurate and memorable messaging”.
Leading motorist groups have joined forces to fight back for control of the roads as they called for changes to the new Highway Code.
The Alliance of British Drivers, FairFuelUK and Motorcycle Action Group said they want cyclists being encouraged to undertake and overtake vehicles shelved because they 'will cause more crashes'.
IAM RoadSmart, the trading name of the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), said low awareness of the changes, which come into force on January 29, could cause drivers to break the rules inadvertently.
While IAM RoadSmart says it has “welcomed” some of the changes, but fears many drivers will not be aware of the rules when they come into force. Neil Greig, the director of policy and research at the charity, said communication about the changes would be vital to the success of the schemes.
An AA survey of more than 13,700 drivers carried out earlier this month indicated that 33% were unaware of the changes, including 4% who had “no intention” of looking at the details.
A communications drive will be launched by the Department for Transport’s road safety offshoot Think! in mid-February, with further activity later in the summer. We are hoping that communication drive will ensure “road-users across the country understand their responsibilities”. Engaging communication using accurate data with drivers and motorcyclist is vital for all road users’ safety - an awareness campaign to follow the Highway Code changes.
Zeenara Najam
i-Select Consultancy