Liverpool City Council is reminding all road users to refresh their Highway Code knowledge as research suggests the majority of drivers may be unaware of recent changes.
The changes, introduced by the DfT in 2022, were designed to improve safety for vulnerable road users including pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders.
However, a recent London-based survey by Transport for London (TfL) found that only 16% of respondents showed a correct understanding of the new rules, which aim to protect the most at-risk road users
Some of the most significant changes to the Highway Code include:
- Hierarchy of road users – which places more responsibility on those who can do the greatest harm to protect more vulnerable road users. All road users still have a duty to behave responsibly.
- Priority at junctions – Drivers must give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross at junctions.
- Safe passing distances – Drivers should leave at least 1.5m when overtaking cyclists, and 2m when passing pedestrians or horse riders.
- Cyclist positioning – Cyclists are advised to ride in the centre of their lane on quieter roads and at junctions to increase visibility.
- Dutch reach technique – Drivers and passengers are encouraged to use the hand furthest from the door to open it, helping to avoid collisions with passing cyclists.
These changes aim to reduce collisions and injuries, encourage safer habits among road users and support active travel by making walking and cycling safer.
More information on the Highway Code changes can be found on the Government website, or through the council’s road safety team.
Cllr Dan Barrington, cabinet member for transport and connectivity, said: “We’re asking all road users, whether you drive, cycle, walk or ride, to familiarise themselves with the Highway Code.
“The changes over the past few years are about making roads as safe as possible for everyone. We don’t want to see people getting hurt on the road and we can all do our bit to make sure it doesn’t happen.
“Every road user has a role to play in keeping our streets safe.”
> this must surely exclude when turning into a road
Given that those changes to the Highway Code have no legal basis, I’d hazard a guess that drivers who have already committed to turn into a minor road wouldn’t need to stop randomly in the middle of the road, if for some bizarre reason a pedestrian appeared from thin air mid manoeuvre and is waiting to cross.
David Weston, Newcastle upon Tyne
0
All sensible rules, apart from “Priority at junctions – Drivers must give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross at junctions.” …this must surely exclude when turning into a road? Who thought that one up? Rear end shunts are almost inevitable if this rule were to be followed to the letter.
Hugh Jones, South Wirral
+3