Highway Code Changes

From Saturday 29th January 2022, new and important changes will be made to The Highway Code. The updated Code highlights that all road users should ensure that they are aware of The Highway Code.

The importance of knowing your Highway Code should not be linked to merely getting you through your driving test! Driving that involves a breach of the Highway Code can result in a finding of guilt to the charge of Careless Driving that carries between 3-9 penalty points and an unlimited fine.

It is therefore useful for all road users, including those walking, driving, riding, or cycling, to consider the updates as outlined below.

1. From 29th January 2022, all traffic should give way to people crossing or waiting to cross at a junction. People crossing the road also have priority over traffic wanting to turn into the road, if they have already started crossing the road, and traffic should give way to the person crossing.
2. People driving, riding a motorcycle, or cycling must, from 29th January 2022, give way to people on a zebra crossing and people walking or cycling on a parallel crossing. For reference, a zebra crossing features a series of black and white stripes painted across the road. A parallel crossing is a combined pedestrian and cycle crossing that has priority over the road. A parallel crossing looks like a zebra crossing but also has a parallel priority cycleway.

1. The updated Highway Code recommends that people or passengers should open the door using the hand opposite to the door they are opening, where they can do so. For example, a driver or a passenger should open a door on their right-hand side, with their left hand. This change encourages people to turn their heads and look over their shoulders behind them. This should help to prevent injury to people on pavements, cyclists, or motorcyclists passing beside the parked car.

1. Electrical vehicle charging points will feature in The Highway Code for the first time. When using electric charging points, the updated Code states that people should park as close to the charge point as possible, avoid trailing cables which can be a trip hazard, and display a warning sign if possible. The Highway Code will also state that charging cables and connectors should be neatly returned to minimise dangers and obstacles to others.

1. The Highway Code will guide cyclists to ride in the centre of their lane on quiet roads, in slower-moving traffic, or when approaching road narrowing’s, or junctions. Cyclists will also be guided to keep at least 0.5 metres away from the kerb when riding on busy roads with vehicles moving faster than them, and over 0.5 metres from the kerb where it is safe to do so.
2. The Highway Code updates that people cycling in groups should be considerate of other road users’ needs and can ride 2 abreast, which is safer to do in circumstances where there is a large group of cyclists, or a less experienced, or young cyclist.
3. Cyclists are asked to be aware of people driving behind them when cycling in groups, and allow them to overtake when it is safe to do so. This includes moving into single file or when stopping.
4. When cycling past parked vehicles, The Highway Code update clarifies that cyclists should watch out for people walking into their path and to ensure that enough distance is kept, to avoid being hit by a car door opening.
5. When turning into or out of a side road, cyclists should give way to people walking, who are crossing or waiting to cross the road.
6. Due to some junctions now containing small cycle traffic lights that may allow cyclists to move separately from, or before other traffic, The Highway Code update encourages cyclists to use these special cycle facilities where they make their journey safer and easier. Where there are not any separate facilities, The Highway Code will now recommend that cyclists should proceed as if they were driving a vehicle, including that cyclists should position themselves in the centre of their chosen lane where they can safely do so. This is to ensure more visibility of cyclists and to avoid them being dangerously overtaken.
7. Where cyclists use junctions where signs and markings tell them to turn right, The Highway Code now provides two-way guidance. When the traffic lights turn green, a cyclist should now go straight ahead to the location marked by a cycle symbol and turn arrow on the road, and then stop and wait (Stage 1). When the traffic lights on the far side of the junction (facing the people cycling) turn green, the cyclist should complete their manoeuvre (Stage 2).
8. When cyclists go straight ahead at junctions, The Highway Code now clarifies that they have priority over traffic waiting to turn into or out of a side road, unless road signs or markings indicate otherwise. Cyclists are still advised to watch out for people intending to turn across their path, as the drivers may not be able to see them.
9. The updated Highway Code confirms that cyclists may also pass stationary or slower moving traffic on their right or left, but should again proceed with caution as drivers may not be able to see them. The Code states that this is particularly important for cyclists to keep in mind when approaching junctions and when deciding to pass larger vehicles.

1. The Highway Code update amends the rules relating to the hierarchy of road users. All road users should now ensure that they are aware of The Highway Code, are considerate to other road users, and understand their responsibility for the safety of others.
2. Routes and spaces shared by people walking, cycling, riding or driving horses have been addressed in the update. Cyclists, those riding a horse or driving a horse-drawn vehicle should respect the safety of walkers. People walking should be careful not to obstruct or endanger them. Cyclists are asked not to pass people walking, riding a horse, or driving a horse-drawn vehicle closely or at high speed, particularly from behind. Cyclists should also not pass a horse on the horse’s left, remember that people walking may be deaf, blind or partially sighted, and slow down when necessary and let people know they are there.
3. The Highway Code updates that people driving or riding a motorcycle should give priority to cyclists on roundabouts, should not attempt to overtake cyclists within that person’s lane nor allow cyclists to move across their path when travelling around a roundabout.
4. The Highway Code update clarifies that people driving should take extra care when entering a roundabout to make sure they do not cut across cyclists, those riding a horse or driving a horse-drawn vehicle who are continuing around the roundabout in the left-hand lane.
5. Drivers and cyclists can cross a double white line to overtake a cyclist or horse if they are travelling at 10mph or less and the road is clear. The Highways Code update will also introduce guidance on safe passing distances and speeds for those driving or riding a motorcycle when overtaking more vulnerable road users. The updates include that they must drive at least 1.5 metres away when overtaking cyclists at speeds of up to 30mph. When overtaking at higher speeds, more distance is needed. 2 metres of space is needed when passing people riding horses or driving horse-drawn vehicles at speeds of under 10mph. At least 2 metres of space and a low speed is needed when passing people walking on a road. Road users must still wait behind the above and not overtake if it is unsafe or not possible to meet the above requirements.

You can view the full Highway Code here.