The UK government has updated its highway rules after a successful public consultation with 20,000 respondents. The consultation was conducted in July 2020, and most participants favour the changes.

These changes have been in effect since January 2022. Read on, and avoid being charged with motoring offences that you might not be aware of.

Hierarchy of road users

The highway code now includes 3 new rules that prioritise those who are more at risk in the event of motoring accidents – pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders and motorcyclists, with children, older adults and the disabled.

Highlights of Rule H1 include the following:

• Those in charge of vehicles bear the greatest responsibility to reduce danger they pose to others;
• Horse drivers, cyclists, and drivers of horse-drawn vehicles have a responsibility to reduce danger to pedestrians;
• All road users, including pedestrians, have individual responsibilities for their own and other people’s safety;
• Consider the possibility that people you encounter on the road may have disabilities in hearing, sight, or mobility.

Highlights of Rule H2 include the following:

• When turning at a junction, drivers and horse riders should give way to pedestrians and cyclists waiting to cross;
• Cyclists should give priority to pedestrians on shared-use cycle tracks and to horse riders on bridleways;
• Only pedestrians may use the pavement. Users of wheelchairs and mobility scooters are considered pedestrians;
• Unless signs explicitly say otherwise, pedestrians can walk on any part of the road–including cycling tracks.
• Rule H3 states that it is illegal to cross the path of cyclists, horse riders or horse-drawn vehicles when turning into a junction.

Pedestrians crossing the road

The new rules highlight the following:

• Other traffic should yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections.
• When turning into a road with a crosswalk, drivers or motorcycle riders or cyclists must give way to people who have already started crossing.

Passing through shared spaces

The new UK highway rules elaborate on the use of shared spaces for pedestrians, cyclists and people riding a horse or driving a horse-drawn vehicle.

While pedestrians are given priority by these rules, they should also be careful not to obstruct or endanger other users of the shared spaces.

Cyclists are asked to:

• avoid passing pedestrians, people riding a horse or driving a horse-drawn vehicle at high speeds
• be considerate and ring your bell when necessary to let pedestrians know of your presence
• be mindful that pedestrians around may have disabilities in hearing, sight, or mobility.
• avoid passing a horse on its left side

Cyclists’ positioning while on the road

The new rules now include the proper positioning of cyclists while on the road:

• cyclists should remain at the centre of their lane on less busy roads, in traffic that is moving more slowly, and as they approach intersections or road narrowings.
• cyclists should maintain a proper distance (at least 0.5 metres) from the kerb edge when on busy roads
• cyclists riding in large groups may form two abreast, especially when with children or less experienced riders. But they must move into a single file or stop when it is safe – to allow vehicles to overtake

People cycling along parked vehicles

The new rules require cyclists to:

• keep a door’s width or 1-metre distance when passing along parked vehicles to prevent accidents if someone opens the car door
• be mindful and give priority to people walking towards the parked cars.

Rules on overtaking

Here are the guidelines when overtaking vulnerable road users:

• You may cross a double-white line if the road is clear to overtake someone cycling or riding a horse if they are travelling at 10 mph or less (otherwise, you will be sent a notice of intended prosecution for speeding.
• Allow 1.5 metres or more when overtaking cyclists at speeds of up to 30mph, and give them more space when overtaking at higher speeds
• Maintain speeds under 10 mph when passing people riding horses or driving horse-drawn vehicles, and keep at least 2 metres of space
• Maintain at least 2 metres of space and drive slowly when overtaking people on the road
• Avoid overtaking when these clearances cannot be met.

Cyclists overtaking slower or stationary traffic

The new rules allow cyclists to overtake slower-moving or stationary traffic on their left or right. They are advised to be extra careful, especially in junctions or when overtaking large vehicles.

Cycling at junctions

Cycle traffic lights are now installed at an eye-level height in some junctions, to make the journey of cyclists safer. In junctions without a cycle traffic light, cyclists should be as cautious as if they were driving a vehicle. Cyclists should stop and give way to people crossing or waiting to cross.

2 stages of turning for people riding bicycles

People riding a bike and turning right in junctions are advised to turn in 2 stages:

• Stage 1 : If the traffic light turns green, go straight ahead to the location marked by a bicycle and turn arrow symbol, and then stop.
• Stage 2: Complete your turn when the traffic light on the far side of the junction turns green.

Priority is given to cyclists going straight ahead at junctions

Unless road signs indicate otherwise, people who are cycling straight ahead at a junction are given priority over drivers turning into junctions. But they are advised to be extra careful and watch out for vehicles who might not see them and accidentally turn across their path.

Cycling at roundabouts

People on bicycles, horses, and horse-drawn vehicles may stay in the left lane of a roundabout when they intend to continue across or around the roundabout. Drivers should be extra careful when entering roundabouts and avoid cutting across these more vulnerable road users in the left-hand lane.

Parking, using vehicle charge points, and leaving vehicles

The new code recommends people who are about to leave a parked vehicle to turn their heads and look back to avoid causing injuries to pedestrians on the pavement or cyclists passing on the road.

When using electric vehicle charging stations, drivers are reminded to display a warning sign whenever possible and keep charging cables secured properly to avoid creating trip hazards for people walking in the area.

Elmer Cruz is a social entrepreneur and a passionate writer.  He writes about topics on law, lifestyle, corporate culture, and technology. He aims to make complex topics easy to understand.

Image by Thierry Jové from Pixabay