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New ‘Hierarchy of Road Users’ to be introduced into the Highway Code.
The UK Government has passed legislation to alter the Highway Code, introducing changes to help ensure the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders. The new changes are due to come into force on 29th January 2022.
Three New Rules
Rule H1 – Hierarchy of Road Users
The most significant rule introduces a new “Hierarchy of Road Users”. This sets out that road users who have the capacity to cause the greatest harm, have the greatest responsibility to reduce the risk they pose to others. If you were involved in a road traffic accident as a vulnerable road user, contact Belmont Solicitors now.
The changes being introduced place those classed as ‘vulnerable’ road users at the top of the hierarchy. This is to ensure those most at risk in the event of a collision and therefore most likely to be injured are given priority. Pedestrians, particularly children, the elderly and those with disabilities are first in the hierarchy. Second are cyclists, horse riders and motorcyclists.
Cars, vans, minibuses, larger passenger vehicles and heavy goods vehicles are all in the lower half of the hierarchy in order of appearance. As vehicle users could cause greater harm in the event of a collision, the law will require them to bear greater responsibility to act considerately to reduce the danger posed to other road users.
The introduction of this hierarchy does not, however, remove the requirement for all road users to take due care and act responsibly to ensure the safety of both themselves and others. If you have been involved in a road traffic accident, contact Belmont Solicitors now.
Rule H2 – Priorities for Pedestrians
The Highway Code has been altered to provide pedestrians with stronger priorities over motorists, horse riders and cyclists at junctions.
The second rule introduced states that road users should give way to pedestrians who are crossing or waiting to cross a road that road users are turning into. Prior to these changes, road users had priority over pedestrians.
Additionally, The Highway Code now legally requires all road users to stop for pedestrians waiting at zebra crossings. This includes cyclists, horse riders and motorists. If you were involved in a road traffic accident as a pedestrian, contact Belmont Solicitors now.
Rule H3 – Priorities for Cyclists
The Highway Code now also contains a rule for drivers and motorcyclists, preventing them from cutting across cyclists going ahead when motorists are either turning into or out of a junction or changing lanes or directions. Motorists are asked to treat cyclists as they would any other vehicle.
Updated guidance on cyclist positioning advises riding in the centre of lanes on quiet roads, in slow-moving traffic and when approaching junctions. Cyclists are also advised to ride at least half a meter away from the kerb at all times and ‘further where it is safer’ which affords them discretion to determine the safest positioning on the road dependent on the situation. If you were involved in a road traffic accident as a cyclist, contact Belmont Solicitors now.
How will this affect you as drivers, cyclists and pedestrians?
In conclusion, these changes will –
- Give priority to pedestrians and cyclists over drivers at junctions.
- Require vehicles to give way when a pedestrian is waiting to cross.
- Advise cyclists to ride in the middle of the lane in order to be more visible to other road users.
- Require motorists to allow cyclists to pass before turning into another road.
If you were involved in a road traffic accident, contact our experienced personal injury solicitors at Belmont Solicitors to get the compensation you deserve.
Contact Belmont Solicitors now.
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