Road users in the UK are facing stricter rules after new changes to the Highway Code were announced. The new rules and guidance are expected to come into force on the 29th of January.
What is the Highway Code?
The Highway Code provides guidance and rules for UK road users including drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, horse riders, motorcyclists and mobility scooter users.
It was first published in 1931 although is updated regularly.
The new rules
The main changes are the creation of a road hierarchy and stricter rules on mobile phone usage.
The road hierarchy will give priority to the most vulnerable road users, therefore, placing greater responsibility on drivers of vehicles that can do the most harm to look out for others.
The diagrams below from Police Scotland present how the new rules will work.
The Road Hierarchy
- Pedestrians
- Cyclists
- Horse Riders
- Motorcyclists
- Cars/taxis
- Vans/minibuses
- Large passenger vehicles or courier vehicles like buses and HGVs
The other new rules introduced are:
At a junction drivers, motorcyclists, horse riders and cyclists must give way to pedestrians waiting to cross the road into which you are joining. Cyclists must also give way to pedestrians on shared cycle tracks.
Drivers and motorcyclists must not cut across cyclists, horse riders or horse-drawn vehicles going ahead when turning into or out of a junction or changing direction or lane. This applies whether they are using a cycle lane, a cycle track, or riding ahead on the road and you should give way to them.
Do not turn at a junction if to do so would cause the cyclist, horse rider or horse-drawn vehicle going straight ahead to stop or swerve.
Drivers should stop and wait for a safe gap if necessary. This includes when cyclists are:
- Approaching, passing or moving off from a junction
- Moving past or waiting alongside stationary or slow-moving traffic
- Travelling around a roundabout
Cyclists can use the middle of a lane when approaching a junction or on narrow roads. Vehicles overtaking cyclists must leave a gap of 1.5 metres when driving at a speed of up to 30mph and more space must be provided if driving faster.
New Rules For Mobile Phone Use
Whilst it is already an offence to use a mobile phone whilst driving, more specific laws are being introduced surrounding mobile phone use whilst driving.
It will become an offence to:
- Take photos or videos
- Scroll through playlists
- Play games
Drivers caught breaking these rules will face up to six points on their licence and fines up to £200.
However, drivers are still permitted to use mobile phones hands-free or as a sat nav provided the phone is held in a cradle.
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