What does anyone think of the proposed changes to the highway code and has anyone filled in the online consultation?

 

On the whole I think the changes are good.  Some of the wording could be better.

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/review-of-the-highway-code-to-improve-road-safety-for-cyclists-pedestrians-and-horse-riders

 

Consultation description

Consultation seeking views on proposed changes to The Highway Code to improve safety for vulnerable road users, particularly the groups of:

• cyclists
• pedestrians
• horse riders

The main alterations to the code being proposed are:

• introducing a hierarchy of road users which ensures that those road users who can do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger or threat they may pose to others
• clarifying existing rules on pedestrian priority on pavements, to advise that drivers and riders should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross the road,
• providing guidance on cyclist priority at junctions to advise drivers to give priority to cyclists at junctions when travelling straight ahead
• establishing guidance on safe passing distances and speeds when overtaking cyclists and horse riders

 

 

Edited 27 August, 20205 yr by Chorlton
typo

This biggest issue is the idiot factor cyclists who seem to think that no rules apply to them. I never see this gladiator style stupidity from serious cyclists, horse riders etc. The bad news is that the idiot factor  seem to be multiplying.

Good idea but how are they going to make sure that ALL road users of whatever type  understand the new rules?  Issue of the new 'Code' to all holders of driving licences in the UK plus re-tests for all drivers and new tests for pedestrians / cyclists and horse riders?   I doubt it - so yes by all means introduce these but don't expect many people to be aware...

5 hours ago, skomaz said:

Good idea but how are they going to make sure that ALL road users of whatever type  understand the new rules?  Issue of the new 'Code' to all holders of driving licences in the UK plus re-tests for all drivers and new tests for pedestrians / cyclists and horse riders?   I doubt it - so yes by all means introduce these but don't expect many people to be aware...

It's just a consultation at the moment so I don't think there's any need to get ahead of ourselves with regards to how will people know etc as historically consultations are often long and drawn out.
The Highway Code also isn't a 'bible' in respect of each and every law and act of the highways hence the term 'code' although it does contain a lot of 'must' and 'must not' terms.
In the modern digitised world it would be fairly easy for a campaign to reach the majority of road users I would have thought.
Also, never forget, 'Ignorantia juris non excusat'. 

Edited 28 August, 20205 yr by Lee01

It will only take the first prosecution of any upper hierarchy road user to bleat to the papers that they didn't know the law, despite it usually being common sense. So the story soon gets 'out there' and then (1) virtually every motorists will chime in with 'cyclists don't pay road tax', (2) bicycle users will say the pedestrian 'just stepped out' etc, etc, etc.

I'm not entirely sure who pedestrians can complain about down this liability hierarchy, so it probably means they can do no wrong (but see 2 above) - but they'll still get killed on and off the pavement exactly as before, and in vast numbers  just as before, by vehicles almost always, and by a bike very, very occasionally.

 

33 minutes ago, Lee01 said:

It's just a consultation at the moment so I don't think there's any need to get ahead of ourselves with regards to how will people know etc as historically consultations are often long and drawn out.
The Highway Code also isn't a 'bible' in respect of each and every law and act of the highways hence the term 'code' although it does contain a lot of 'must' and 'must not' terms.
In the modern digitised world it would be fairly easy for a campaign to reach the majority of road users I would have thought.
Also, never forget, 'Ignorantia juris non excusat'. 

 

Fair point Lee the consultation could be a long term one and any specific changes  that  have legal implications would need to be followed up with legislation to amend things like the Highways  Act, TSRGD and the likes of Chapter 8 so it could be a while coming.  However we should remember that the hierarchy they are talking about is already in place in terms of highway design etc. and people already ignore it.  My concern is therefore that despite an update and any campaign as you suggest, many people would remain oblivious.

Edited 28 August, 20205 yr by skomaz

I hope it is a step towards reforming attitudes of road users who enforce ‘I, self, me and don’t care about anyone else’ and encourage folks to be more tolerant of others making errors. It adds another level of awareness to hazard perception of trained road users that ‘should’ make for a more cautious approach around other lesser trained people. I also hope that the most vulnerable the changes are designed to protect don’t grow overconfident and put themselves into situations that are inherently dangerous on the basis that if they get hurt, it’s the other persons fault.

 

However, there will always be those who travel with a ‘just don’t care about you’ mentality and those are the people who are most aggressive towards others and most likely to overreact and give off at the first slight against themselves.

Edited 28 August, 20205 yr by BigEjit