Drivers not following Highway code

The pavement hasn't stopped, that's the point. The end of the side road is a continuation of the pavement.

It isn't an idiot change at all. Why should a pedestrian have to look every which way to cross the road when all a driver has to do is slow down?

Being worried about being rear-ended isn't a good enough reason not to slow down.

If someone is turning right across the traffic, I wait for them. If they are turning left, I don't.

Drivers need to understand that the end of a side road is a continuation of the pavement, and they give way to pedestrians.

And middle lane sitting is far from the worst transgression of drivers. Annoying, yes. Dangerous, no. Overtaking on blind bends is dangerous. Tailgating can be dangerous. And trying to run down pedestrians because you think they shouldn't have priority at the end of side roads is dangerous.

There's a main road near me with a busy co-op on it- cars turning into the side roads would simply not be able to turn if pedestrians didn't stop and look, as there is a near constant stream of co-op customers crossing.

I do my best in line with the new rules but I don't know what the answer is when you and maybe 6 or 7 other cars are all sitting blocking traffic on the main road ( which is affected by traffic lights) while you wait for pedestrians.

Local councils need to rethink things like one way systems to stop this happening, but of course these changes are never made by collaborating with town planners and councils.

@Fluffypuppy1

I did realise that, I just don't think it's something that makes me lucky. It was just an observation.

Sorry! Lucky you was referring to your last sentence where you said “I have yet to see a pedestrian who doesn’t wait until a car has turned a corner to cross the road tbh”. Where I live it’s very rare to see a pedestrian stop at all. The majority just carry on walking right into the road as if the pavement hasn’t stopped without looking at all.

It is a stupid and dangerous rule change that goes against the road safety instincts pedestrians and drivers have learnt and apply in all other circumstances.

Pedestrian crossings work because of the posts and road markings let all the nearby drivers know that a pedestrian is likely to be crossing the road and can be ready for cars in front to stop. It seems unrealistic to expect all drivers to apply that same kind of vigilance when driving past or into every single junction.

As a pedestrian, if I ever have to cross the road at a junction I will continue to wait for the road to be clear.

Would be useful if people had to redo the theory test (perhaps could be part of the insurance renewal) - the hazard perception test is difficult for experienced drivers - was told this by police as they notice much more and can categorize it but the test is just hazard or not

It's all very well making changes, but not if you don't also ensure the roads are set up for it. I live in a busy urban environment, and the junctions aren't set up for turning cars to be stopping to let pedestrians cross as you turn. It's a stupid change and as a pedestrian I stick to waiting until it's clear before I cross.

It is a stupid rule … The pedestrian should cross further down. It would be safer all round .

There are many roads where this is exceedingly dangerous. The main one that springs to mind is a well used side road near the Derby Royal Hospital. It turns off a fast moving dual carriageway but with this new law, a car should stop on that dual carriageway to allow a pedestrian to cross the side road if they are wanting to turn down it. Madness. Especially in the morning during the school run.

I agree with those saying it's a stupid rule, which is less safe than it was before - everyone just seems unsure, drivers and pedestrians alike. I try to follow it when driving, wherever I can do so safely, but I don't agree with it (as a driver or pedestrian).

I stop constantly for pedestrians and they wave me on. If they don't know about the Highway Code changes then what should you do?

In other words I always take the view that you may be very right, but you can also be very dead.

In the scenario shown in the OPs video, if I was pushing my child in a pushchair I would deliberately look over my shoulder before approaching that curb and hold back if I saw a car looking like it was slowing down to turn left. i wouldn't have reached the curb and stopped.

That way, the car would make their manoeuvre, I wouldn't have caused them to break the law and I would have then proceeded to cross the road - all in a matter of seconds. This comes from being a cyclist and runner for many years and learning to anticipate what a driver was likely to do and make my own decision accordingly to ensure safety of driver and cyclist/runner.

@Fluffypuppy1

Lucky you. Must depend on where you live? I’m in a London commuter area

I'm not too sure why you think I'm lucky here but I do agree London is an entirely different game. Equally big cites but you don't have to be rural or city, there are lots of in betweens

Lucky you. Must depend on where you live? I’m in a London commuter area and even before the Highway Code change the majority of people when walking to a junction would just step into the road and carry on walking without looking to check for traffic in any direction.

It’s absolutely ridiculous now as at rush hour and/or in certain places (eg near schools and train stations) it’s close to impossible to cross certain junctions due to an almost continuous line of pedestrians stepping in the road. This leads to traffic jams and more car fumes for the pedestrians to breathe in.

It may work in quiet rural areas, but definitely doesn’t work here.

Realistically I don’t think encouraging pedestrians to cross right at the junction is the best idea anyway at a lot of roads. Sometimes going a bit further up so you have a clear view is much safer

I've stopped trying to comply with this one after the woman and children I stopped for did not notice I was waiting for them and were faffing about (despite being at the edge of the kerb), and the driver on the side road pulled out straight across me nearly taking off my front bumper because he thought I was taking too long, despite me being positioned to turn right and therefore directly in front of him.

It's dangerous. I will only do it if it is quiet and safe, but busy areas are just not safe.

As a driver, I mostly give way to pedestrians in this situation. I say mostly, because

• sometimes they are lounging on the corner looking at their phone, and you're not sure if they're about to cross
• sometimes there is fast-moving traffic behind you, and it seems more dangerous to stop
• sometimes there is traffic queueing to come out of the side street - if I stop, the pedestrian will have to cross in front of or between these cars, who may not stop for them
• it's even worse if I'm turning right into a sidestreet - where do I wait? Blocking the traffic in the opposite lane? I'm not even sure if the rules cover this

I've been beeped and shouted at for crossing the road lately, it's ridiculous.

As a pedestrian I hate it, I would much rather wait until I can see clearly it’s clear to cross.

as a driver I do it because I know I should but I still think it’s a daft rule.

it would be primarily down to the driver anyway both before and after the rule change ....the rule change just makes it more likely an incident would occur. Having lived and driven abroad in a country where's theres one particular fundamental rule about right of way that very different to the UK, i know its very difficult to adjust to a new "rule" thats counter-intuitive ....when you have driven for many years expecting that pedestrians won't just step into the road when you are turning, its very hard to change your way of driving and makes mistakes more likely to happen.

I think you have misunderstood me.

I said it is is a stupid change which is why people are not observing it, both drivers and pedestrians.

I didn't say I would hurt anyone, or that I'm a driver (or a pedestrian for that matter) I juts mentioned why people are not doing it.

I know the driver would be at fault, I wasn't disputing that.

Highway code!
I'd just be grateful if police enforced the law- no one obeys the code in terms of speed, and I do try.
The annoying old men in hats with big ears driving at 25mph are just being a nuisance, and as for school run mums in their pyjamas, I doubt that many of them could read the highway code, or ever have done.