Highway Code Update: What's new?

Revised Highway Code rules are being put into place as of the 29th January 2022 and will affect all road users across the UK. Among many things, the Highway Code update will give motorists more responsibility to watch out for cyclists and cyclists more responsibility to be aware of pedestrians. Overall, nine sections of The Highway Code will be updated, with 50 rules being added or updated. So why do you need to be aware of the Highway Code updates? First and foremost, for your own safety and the safety of other road users around you. As many of the rules within The Highway Code are legal requirements, failing to oblige by them can result in a criminal offense. For these reasons, The Highway Code is an essential read for all road users. So, here’s an overview of some of the new or updated rules:

Road User Hierarchy

It's important that all road users are aware of the new 'hierarchy of road users' which places those most at risk in the event of a collision at the top of the hierarchy. It's essential that all road users:

• Are aware of The Highway Code
• Are considerate to other road users
• Understand their responsibility for the safety of others

Motorists and cyclists overtaking other road users

The revised rules give drivers and people riding a motorcycle new guidance on safe passing distances when overtaking more vulnerable road users. This includes:

• When overtaking cyclists travelling at speeds of up to 30mph, allow at least 1.5 metres of space, or more when overtaking at higher speeds
• When passing people riding horses or driving horse-drawn vehicles travelling at speeds under 10mph, allow at least 2 metres of space and keep to a low speed
• When passing people who are walking in the road (i.e. when there is no pavement), allow 2 metres of space and keep to a low speed

Cyclists passing slower-moving or stationary traffic: The updated code confirms that cyclists may pass slower-moving traffic or stationary traffic on their right or left. They should proceed with caution when approaching junctions or passing lorries and other large vehicles. 

Pedestrians crossing the road at junctions

Updated codes mean that although drivers, people riding motorcycles and cyclists are faster and bigger than people crossing the road, they don't actually have the right of way. Now, new rules mean that:

• People who are crossing or waiting to cross at a junctions have the right of way
• If people have started to cross and traffic wants to turn into the road, the pedestrian has priority to finish crossing
• People driving, riding a motorcycle or cycling must give way to people on a zebra crossing and people walking and cycling on a parallel crossing

Cyclists positioning in the road

New guidance has been released for cyclists regarding their positioning in the road. This includes:

• When cycling on quieter roads, in slow-moving traffic and at the approach to junctions or road narrowings, ride in the centre of their lane
• When riding on busier roads with vehicles moving faster than them, keep more than 0.5 metres away from the kerb edge and even further when safe to do so

Cycling in groups

• Can ride two-abreast as it can be safer to do so, particularly when riding with children or less experienced riders
• Be aware of other traffic and allow them to overtake by moving into single file or stopping when it's safe to do so

Cyclists passing parked vehicles

• Take care when passing parked vehicles and leave enough room (i.e. a doors width) to avoid being hit if the car door is opened
• Watch out for people walking into your path

Cyclists at junctions

The Highway Code update clarifies that cyclists should give way to people walking who are crossing or waiting to cross junctions. At some junctions, there will be new special cycle facilities which include small cycle traffic lights at eye-level height which may allow cyclists to move separately from or before other traffic. This may make your journey safer and easier when using these facilities. For cyclists at junctions with no separate cyclist facilities, the revised code recommends that people cycling should proceed as if they were driving a vehicle (i.e, positioning themselves in the centre of their chosen lane when it’s safe to do so) Cyclists turning right: The code now provides new guidance for cyclists using junctions where signs and markings tell them to turn right in two stages: Stage 1 - When the traffic lights turn green, go straight ahead to the location marked by a cycle symbol and turn arrow on the road, and then stop and wait Stage 2 - When the traffic lights on the far side of the junction (now facing the people cycling) turn green, complete the manoeuvre Cyclists have priority when going straight ahead at junctions, unless road signs or markings state otherwise. Cyclists still need to be aware of drivers intending to turn across their path to avoid these so called “left hook” collisions. 

Parking, charging and leaving vehicles

The updated code advises that drivers and passengers should use the 'Dutch Reach' technique when opening doors to exit their vehicles. To do this, the driver and passengers use their hand on the opposite side of the door they are opening. For example, using your right hand to open a door on your left-hand side. Naturally, this will make the drivers and passengers turn their head and open their shoulder in the direction of where the traffic and danger will be, for example, pedestrians on the pavement or vehicles overtaking on the road. Using an electric vehicle charge point: As they are relatively new for drivers, the revised code will also include new guidance about using electric vehicle charging points. When using one, people should:

• Park close to the charging point and avoid creating a trip hazard for people walking from trailing cables
• Display a warning sign if you can
• Return charging cables neatly to minimise the danger to future users

 Mercedes-Benz GLA

People cycling, riding a horse and driving horse-drawn vehicles on roundabouts

Some roundabouts can be confusing enough with their merging lanes and cars stopping and starting. Here's what people driving and motorcycle riders should do when they come across cyclists, people riding horses or people driving horse-drawn vehicles:

• Give priority to cyclists on roundabouts
• Not attempt to overtake people cycling within that person's lane
• Allow people cycling to move across their path as they travel around the roundabout

We hope this has helped you and provided some clarity on what the main changes to The Highway Code update will be. With that being said, we do advise all road users to regularly read and stay up to date with the full version of The Highway Code to ensure you have a clear understanding on any current or new rules that affect you. The information provided in this blog post is to provide a summary of the main changes road users need to be aware of, and may not cover all the information you need to know from this Highway Code update. Please take the time to read the full details of all the changes which you can access at GOV.UK.