Concerns over increased road rage following Highway Code changes
A Chichester-based driving instructor says more clarity is needed
There are concerns changes to the Highway Code could result in more accidents and road rage.
A number of new rules, aiming to better protect vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists, come into force tomorrow (29th January).
They include:
- A new 'hierarchy of road users' which puts the most at risk in the event of a collision at the top
- Drivers must now give way to people who are crossing or waiting to cross at a junction
- Cyclists are asked not to pass people walking, riding a horse or driving a horse-drawn vehicle closely or at high speed
- Cyclists are asked to ride in the centre of their lane on quiet roads, and to keep 0.5 metres away from the kerb edge on busier roads
- Drivers must now leave at least a gap of 1.5 metres when overtaking people cycling at speeds of up to 30mph
Although a survey by the AA has revealed one third of motorists had no idea the rules were changing.
Lynne Von Wildenrath is a driving instructor in Chichester and tells us that could cause more accidents.
She said: "If we're suddenly stopping the car to allow the pedestrian to cross the road, but the person behind doesn't know the new laws and changes, there's going to be a lot of rage and shunts from behind."
Ms Wildenrath also hopes pedestrians and cyclists make themselves aware of the new rules, to keep our roads as safe as possible.
She continued: "I'm certainly not going to just cross that road, until I've looked over my shoulder and made sure that vehicle has stopped. So I think it's going to take a lot more anticipation.
"Obviously once they have stepped into the road, of course we're going to stop which was actually the old style anyway."