New Highway Code rules come into force today
Changes look to make roads safer for cyclists and pedestrians
Last updated 29th Jan 2022
A major revamp of the Highway Code to boost protection for cyclists and pedestrians comes into force today (Saturday, 29th January).
The new guidance means traffic should give way when pedestrians are crossing or waiting to cross at junctions.
Cyclists are advised to ride in the centre of lanes on quieter roads, in slower-moving traffic, and when approaching junctions, to make themselves as visible as possible.
A hierarchy of road users is also being introduced, meaning someone driving will have more responsibility to watch out for people cycling, walking, or riding a horse, and cyclists will have more responsibility to be aware of pedestrians.
The Highway Code contains advice and rules for people on Britain's roads.
Nine sections have been updated, with 50 rules added or amended.
The changes are advisory, so non-compliance will not result in a fine.
PC Simon Green is a community engagement officer with Suffolk Constabulary. He explains the new hierarchy of responsibility system.
"It's laying the responsibility on drivers of vehicles which will cause the most harm to act responsibly towards those that are more vulnerable. So, for example, car drivers need to give way to cyclists, and in turn cyclists need to give way to pedestrians.
"Many aspects of the Highway Code are advice only but if we as police are investigating a moving traffic offense, for example, a road traffic collision, and if it can be shown that one of the drivers hasn't obeyed some of those advice aspects in the Highway Code, we can use that as evidence.
"So you can't be prosecuted per se if it's advice, but it can be used to build-up a body of evidence against you to show, for example, careless driving."
He is also urging cyclists and pedestrians to use their right of way responsibly. "As people become more aware of these changes, they might be inclined to think, 'I've got right of way here. I'm going to do what I know I can do'. It's still important to make sure that when you using the roads, whether you're a driver or pedestrian, that even if you have right of way, you do it safely."
A communications drive will be launched by the Department for Transport's road safety offshoot Think! in mid-February, with further activity later in the summer.
Roads minister Baroness Vere said this week that the updated Highway Code will make Britain's roads safer and encourage people to "respect and consider the needs of those around them".
Charity Cycling UK said the changes must be "communicated with simple, accurate and memorable messaging".
Police will also be able to enforce stricter regulation around the use of mobile phones from today. PC Green says, "The new laws make it an offense to use mobile phone really for anything other than navigation when it's in a cradle and for hands-free calls."
This means that using a smartphone to take a picture while driving or to change a song that's playing will become illegal, even at a red light.
"You can receive a fixed penalty for those offenses, which is £200 and up to six points on your driving license. So, bearing in mind 12 points on your license means that you're banned from driving, you only need to be caught twice for a mobile phone offence before you're effectively banned for 12 months, so it can have a real impact on your life."