To post this for road users unaware of upcoming highway code changes

[FluffyBooBoo]

That's loads of info available online, but the AA have done a study that shows that two thirds of people are unaware of the charges.

Photo attached with basic info.

Totally mad and ill-thought-out. Given the lack of publicity or any apparent public consultation, it looks like this is being sneaked in through the back door. It's dangerous for everyone and especially for those who have impaired vision or hearing, anyone (especially children) who for whatever reason - age, headphones in, on their phone, whatever- has an impaired ability for risk assessment. So about 98% of people, then.
It also seems directly at odds with the new rule (is it in yet?) about letting older drivers run red lights and commit other 'minor' traffic violations because their reaction times are likely to be slower than the average driver.
So, you aren't BU to alert others to the changes but the changes themselves are insane; who's going to drive behind the cyclist wheeling merrily along in the middle of the lane at 5mph, or wait for the cyclist (an unspecified?) distance behind you to go past before executing a turn in either direction? Or hover constantly over the brakes because maybe 1 out 20 people standing near the kerb edge might actually cross the road instead of jsut stepping out in front of your car for a selfie with that trendy new bar/restaurant/insta-worthy whatever in the background?

I learnt to drive in Germany and it was the case that the cars stop for pedestrians when the car is turning right (in Germany).

@CasparBloomberg

Slightly concerned at potentially turning off a free flowing busy road onto a side road and having to come to a complete halt or even worse getting a shunt, because a pedestrian on the pavement about to cross has more right of way than the car does. This sounds so dangerous.

I had a car in front of me do this for no reason (well, they’d changed their mind mid turn) and just stop half in the side road half on the 50mph we were on.

Luckily I always leave a big gap so could stop.

@CasparBloomberg

Slightly concerned at potentially turning off a free flowing busy road onto a side road and having to come to a complete halt or even worse getting a shunt, because a pedestrian on the pavement about to cross has more right of way than the car does. This sounds so dangerous.

Observe, anticipate, slow down. You'd have to do that if there was a slow cyclist or a horse on the road going across the junction.

I thought that this qas already the rule??

It's only dangerous if you're driving too fast and not paying proper attention.

The most vulnerable road users must be prioritised.

The only thing I'd change is to give buses, lorries and farm vehicles etc priority over private cars, so I'd switch the last two!

I dont think many pedestrians will deliberately walk in front of a vehicle, but I do see large numbers of pedestrians who are walking whilst gazing at their phones, distracted by their children, not wearing hi viz in the dark.
It's not unusual for children to run out in front of a car, and then despite the driver feeling shaken up, they're now guilty if they are unfortunate enough to collide with them.
Also with the rise in electric cars, quite often they are very quiet and pedestrians dont always hear them, I wont be surprised if pedestrians do walk out in front of cars.

who's going to drive behind the cyclist wheeling merrily along in the middle of the lane at 5mph, or wait for the cyclist (an unspecified?) distance behind you to go past before executing a turn in either direction?

Good considerate drivers?
Wait till there's room to overtake safely just as you would with a slow car - it's still easier to do that round a bike.

@BringBackCoffeeCreams

I don't think it's a miracle, I'd say it's more down to habit, people being used to this type of driving, and the bigger responsibility on drivers to consider pedestrians. It probably also helps that passing a driving in darkness/night time nilestone is a requirement for getting a driving licence - everyone will have practised this. (Just like you have to practise and pass driving on ice.)

Completely agree that everyone should be wearing reflexes when walking on unlit roads of course. But I doubt this has to do with a death wish, more with laziness and people not being aware of the difference it makes. (There are many fewer unlit roads in Sweden though, and rarely roads without separate pavements were pedestrians need to walk in the street.)

It's dangerous for everyone and especially for those who have impaired vision or hearing, anyone (especially children) who for whatever reason - age, headphones in, on their phone, whatever- has an impaired ability for risk assessment. So about 98% of people, then.

Eh? How is it more dangerous?

Oh I heard about this ages ago. And totally forgotten about it. Remember discussing the carnage this will cause with my dad, my mum couldn't get her head around it and neither can I tbh

So with this - take an example of filter lights to turn right. Your light is green, you're turning - if there is a pedestrian you then need to stop to allow them to cross?

By which time you're holding up your own traffic and could potentially end up blocking oncoming traffic if the lights change?

Surely normal people just walk to a nearby crossing or wait for a safe gap? So why does this even need to be a rule. Yes of course you shouldn't be mowing down pedestrians when they're already in the road, but stopping to let them cross at every turn you make??

I'm sure they introduce some of these things to put people off driving.

Pedestrians crossing a side road have had right of way over cars turning in for years! This isn’t new. Obviously you should still cross carefully in case a driver hasn’t noticed you.

And the advice to cyclists has long been to ride in the centre of the carriage way in many cases. It’s safer as it makes you more visible and discourages cars from overtaking if there isn’t enough room.

So I think this is a non-story.

cyclist wheeling merrily along in the middle of the lane at 5mph

5mph is a fast walk.

Most commuter cyclists in London can manage at least 20.

@Judith0000

I dont think many pedestrians will deliberately walk in front of a vehicle, but I do see large numbers of pedestrians who are walking whilst gazing at their phones, distracted by their children, not wearing hi viz in the dark. It's not unusual for children to run out in front of a car, and then despite the driver feeling shaken up, they're now guilty if they are unfortunate enough to collide with them. Also with the rise in electric cars, quite often they are very quiet and pedestrians dont always hear them, I wont be surprised if pedestrians do walk out in front of cars.

But this already happens.

The ‘new rules’ don’t make it more likely to happen.

This is such shit advice and will cause more deaths and loooooooads more road rage!

@Tee20x

So with this - take an example of filter lights to turn right. Your light is green, you're turning - if there is a pedestrian you then need to stop to allow them to cross?

By which time you're holding up your own traffic and could potentially end up blocking oncoming traffic if the lights change?

Surely normal people just walk to a nearby crossing or wait for a safe gap? So why does this even need to be a rule. Yes of course you shouldn't be mowing down pedestrians when they're already in the road, but stopping to let them cross at every turn you make??

I'm sure they introduce some of these things to put people off driving.

The green light means 'proceed if it's safe to do so'. Always has done. It doesn't give you right of way.

If there's a pedestrian on it then you do need to stop, since it's not safe to proceed.

theorytest.org.uk/traffic-lights/

This does explain why cyclists have been cycling in the middle for a few weeks. I thought it was just the shit pot holes by the kerb.

It’s probably to make way for faster electric bikes as well

It is kind of scary how many people don't know what is already in the code.

Presumably you all took a driving test at some point which involved theory?!

Cycling in the middle is safer for cyclists as cars have to overtake properly rather than squeezing past too closely.

I can only guess how many people will do this just to prove a point to drivers, and walk in front of turning vehicles.

Like not one person worth keeping?

@CasparBloomberg

Slightly concerned at potentially turning off a free flowing busy road onto a side road and having to come to a complete halt or even worse getting a shunt, because a pedestrian on the pavement about to cross has more right of way than the car does. This sounds so dangerous.

if a driver drives carefully enough and is leaving enough space to the vehicle in front to allow to break safely it not an issue at all.

imo this change is long overdue.

No one will change their behaviour as a pedestrian or cyclist as a result of changes in the highway code. Have you any idea how hard it is to get the public to change their behaviour? And this won't have any campaigns or ads.

Carry on as you were, provided you are a courteous competent driver looking after vulnerable road users.

@DuckonaBike pedestrians had right of way if they were already on the road crossing. The new rule means they have priority whilst standing on the pavement waiting to cross.

Agree totally with @mugandspoon it is lovely to walk about in Sweden as most drivers will not aggressively drive at pedestrians (sadly common in UK cities) - all drivers are pedestrians at some point!!