How the New Highway Code Rules Affect Pedestrian Road Accidents
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The new Highway Code rules came into effect at the end of January 2022, and there have been additional changes in 2024. The 2022 additions to the rules saw several changes to the amount of protection that vulnerable road users have. One of these groups is pedestrians. The new rules aim to give vulnerable road users more protection on the roads. It will also aim to decrease the number of pedestrian road accidents.
The 2024 changes have seen several significant updates aimed at enhancing road safety. There is a new hierarchy of road users, prioritising the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, and requiring drivers to yield to these vulnerable groups at crossings and junctions. This will hopefully encourage more considerate driving practises. There are also tighter rules around mobile device usage and reducing speed limits in certain places.
The New Highway Code Rules
Hierarchy of road users
The first change to the Highway Code rules is around the hierarchy of road users.
The ‘hierarchy’ places road users who are the most at risk in the event of a collision at the top of the hierarchy. All other types of road users now have a greater responsibility for keeping pedestrians safe on the roads.
This ruling looks to ensure a more mutually respectful and considerate culture of safe and effective road use.
Pedestrians crossing roads at junctions
There is a new rule which gives priority to pedestrians at junctions waiting to cross a road.
This is in addition to the pre-existing rule that pedestrians who have started to cross the road into which a vehicle is turning must have priority. People driving, cycling or riding a motorcycle must also give way to people on a zebra crossing.
Walking, cycling or riding in public spaces
There are also new rules around the routes and spaces which are shared by people walking, people cycling and people riding horses.
These new rules state that people walking always have their safety prioritised over other users, but they should take care not to obstruct or endanger anyone on bikes or riding horses, too. Cyclists are asked to not pass by people walking or riding a horse at high speed, to slow down when necessary to alert people to their presence and to not pass a horse on the horse’s left.
Positioning in the road for cyclists
Cyclists also must learn the new rules regarding their positioning on the roads. They must:
- Ride in the centre of their lane on quiet roads, at the approach to junctions or road narrowings and in slower-moving traffic
- Keep at least 0.5 metres (1.5 feet) away from the kerb edge when riding on busy roads with vehicles overtaking them
The rules also state that cyclists riding in groups should be considerate of other road users, and can only ride two abreast when it’s safe to do so.
Overtaking when driving or cycling
There’s also updated guidance on safe passing distances when overtaking a cyclist or a horse rider. You must leave at least 1.5 metres (5 feet) of distance when overtaking cyclists at speeds up to 30mph, and at least 2 metres (6.5 feet) at speeds of under 10mph when overtaking people riding horses, or horse-drawn vehicles.
You must also allow at least 2 metres (6.5 feet) of distance and keep your speed low when passing people walking on the road.
Cycling at junctions
The new rules now clarify that when turning into or out of a side road, cyclists should give way to people walking who are crossing the road.
There have also been some new cycling facilities at certain junctions, indicating at eye level whether cyclists or pedestrians should be crossing the road. Where this are no cycling features available, cyclists should make themselves as visible as possible and avoid being overtaken where this would be dangerous.
Cycling, horse riding, and driving horse-drawn vehicles on roundabouts
The Highway Code has also been updated to clarify that people driving or riding a motorcycle should give priority to cyclists on roundabouts. They shouldn’t attempt to overtake the cyclist and should allow them to move across their path as they travel around the roundabout.
Guidance has also been added to make sure people driving take care to not cut people up who are cycling, riding a horse or driving a horse-drawn carriage who are continuing their journey in the left lane.
Parking, Charing and leaving vehicles
The new rules have also incorporated a new technique to open your car doors – often referred to as ‘Dutch Reach’.
It suggests drivers should use their left hand to open their car door, which will make them turn their head to look over their shoulder behind them. This then decreases the likelihood of hitting a cyclist or a pedestrian when getting out of their car.
The same rule applies to passengers, but using their opposite hand. For example, if you’re sitting in the passenger seat, you should use your right hand to open the door so you’ll look over your shoulder. If you’re sitting behind the driver, you should use your left hand.
The New Highway Code Rules for Pedestrians
There are also new rules that pedestrians must follow to keep themselves safe on the road. Pedestrians should use pavements and footways if provided.
Where possible, pedestrians should also avoid being next to the curb with their backs to the traffic. In addition, the advice in the Code now requires pedestrians to always remain aware of their environment and avoid unnecessary distractions.
The new rules also state that, when crossing a road, pedestrians must ensure that they cross in a place where they are visible to drivers.
This means that if pedestrians are unsure whether they can be seen by a driver perhaps due to parked cars or other obstructions they should find a more suitable crossing place. This is still the case even though they have priority over vehicles coming in to or out of the junction.
How the New Highway Code Rules Will Affect Pedestrian Road Accidents
Ultimately, the new Highway Code rules have been introduced to protect pedestrians. If all road users read up on, and stick to, the rules, then the government hopes that it will drastically reduce the number of pedestrian road accidents that happen per year.
Pedestrian road accidents can cause serious injuries. This is because pedestrians rarely, if ever, have any way of protecting themselves from a vehicle. Subsequently, if you have a pedestrian road accident, you may find that your mental health is impacted as much as your physical health.
We work with some of the leading pedestrian accident lawyers in the country. They are experts in pedestrian road accidents. This means they can help you to claim compensation for the mental and physical effects of your accident.
How We Can Help with Pedestrian Road Accidents
Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with pedestrian accident solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes pedestrian road accidents. Contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 0800 182 2186 to speak to one of our friendly experts.
