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AIBU?

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Original poster

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

458 replies

FluffyBooBoo · 17/12/2021 15:49

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.

To post this for road users unaware of upcoming highway code changes
OP posts:
drainitallout · 17/12/2021 17:29

@ArabellaScott

Wait, hold on, you're to give way to cyclists BEHIND YOU?! How the fuck is that going to work?
If you're driving along and want to turn right, obviously you should be checking your mirrors first to see that there are no hazards. If there is a cyclist approaching on the outside it makes absolute sense to wait until they've passed. There is no excuse at all to say you didn't see them. That's what your mirrors and the blind spot is for. Drivers turning right cut up cyclists all the time and that has resulted in deaths of riders far more than it should have done. That is why this is being made law.
AncreneWisse · 17/12/2021 17:29

This is the rule in many other countries in the world and much better and safer for pedestrians and cyclists. About time it changed.

EvilPea · 17/12/2021 17:29

Yes I’m aware of that @lockheart I don’t have cycle lanes where I live so I’m coming from a normal road point of view.

fiftiesmum · 17/12/2021 17:31

I am glad the priority is being spelled out to people. I have always tried to drive like that (most of my road use is as a pedestrian). And unless there are cameras monitoring behaviour many selfish bstrd drivers will still drive as if they own the road (and often the pavements and verges as well)

drainitallout · 17/12/2021 17:31

@EvilPea

Yes I’m aware of that *@lockheart* I don’t have cycle lanes where I live so I’m coming from a normal road point of view.
Same thing.
RedWingBoots · 17/12/2021 17:31

@drainitallout I once had a male driver telling me to go over to side so I would be in the door zone and a guy at the bus stop say the same thing. I told them both to f off as the car could go into the other lane to safely over take me which it eventually did.

Likewise there are idiots who think all cyclists must use cycle lanes if they are there. Many cycle lanes are poorly designed including being designed so badly you can't see how to get on to the actual lane.

Nocutenamesleft · 17/12/2021 17:31

@SirChenjins

Who in their right mind would step out in front of a car turning into a junction?! It doesn't really matter if you had a legal right of way if you end up in hospital with a life-changing injury as a result of being hit by a car. Surely you cross in a safe place when there are no cars coming - as was drilled into us all as children, and crossing at a busy junction doesn't seem very safe to me.
Where I live is a set of traffic lights. On a really busy and fast road. But just after a roundabout.

Few years ago a girl who was 14. Was crossing on a green light. She got hit at 70mph. Spent 3 years in a coma and the guy was jailed.

She’s still not out of hospital some 5 years later.

Lockheart · 17/12/2021 17:32

@EvilPea

Yes I’m aware of that *@lockheart* I don’t have cycle lanes where I live so I’m coming from a normal road point of view.
This particular new rule only applies to cars turning across cycle lanes, so it does not apply to "normal" roads.
Akire · 17/12/2021 17:32

Can’t see it happening where I live. Even if you start crossing when no one is indicating they seem expect you to run out of the way as soon as they decide you want to turn. Really difficult on large roads where takes ages to cross.

MedusasBadHairDay · 17/12/2021 17:36

@christmaspombear

Pedestrians have always had right of way if they have already stepped into the road, I can't see this one changing, no pedestrian is going to assert right of way and step in front of a car turning.
Slightly concerned by how many people don't seem to understand this. 😕
PriamFarrl · 17/12/2021 17:38

The thing is that these are changes to the way that drivers are meant to behave but if drivers don’t know about or follow the changes then it is the pedestrian or cyclist that will end up hurt.
Saying it’s their right of way won’t mend broken legs.

Squeezita · 17/12/2021 17:40

Happy to give way as a driver.

It's not like most pedestrians look anyway Hmm

And i'm on tenderhooks for cyclists as it is.

Jokes, tenterhooks.

BertieBotts · 17/12/2021 17:41

Surely this is just a non issue - real world behaviour won't change, but it means that drivers who hit cyclists or pedestrians are automatically at fault thereby simplifying the legal process?

skodadoda · 17/12/2021 17:44

@Chocolatewheatos

Stupid advice. So now cars can't overtake cyclists and have to stop for every pedestrian? They're just trying to make it impractical to drive.
You can overtake cyclists in the same way that you would overtake a motor vehicle
SirChenjins · 17/12/2021 17:45

but it means that drivers who hit cyclists or pedestrians are automatically at fault thereby simplifying the legal process

Automatically? Surely there should be something which allows all factors to be taken into account as opposed to simply assigning fault to the driver?

Dottybackorcid · 17/12/2021 17:45

@MedusasBadHairDay
We do but they have added the bit in bold, which will cause issues. As this may give a false sense of security to some pedestrians, who will expect to just cross when ever they feel like it.

Rule H2: Rule for drivers, motorcyclists, horse riders and cyclists
At a junction you should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning.

Mrsbrownsbuoys · 17/12/2021 17:46

@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.
This. I can't even envisage how this is going to work. Not only have we got to watch the other cars, but also now watch out for pedestrians who may want to cross but not be especially visible until the last minute. Do we then slam on our brakes? And I'm not sure why bikes should be allowed to go ahead of us at a junction if they're behind us to that point? Is that what it means? It all seems vague and not thought through. And no, I'd heard nothing about this up to now, so thanks for making us aware Smile
AndARiverBeneathYourFeet · 17/12/2021 17:49

The cycle rule is probably going to save a lot of near misses when overtaking drivers don't leave enough width - drivers will be forced only to overtake when it's completely clear and safe.

The pedestrian right-of-way at a junction will go hideously wrong, especially if school children are involved and don't quite get how fast a car is moving (I live near a school and they have zero road sense, even the secondary school pupils).

We can't see round corners (either pedestrians or car drivers) so I don't know how that is meant to work...?

SirChenjins · 17/12/2021 17:49

[quote Dottybackorcid]@MedusasBadHairDay
We do but they have added the bit in bold, which will cause issues. As this may give a false sense of security to some pedestrians, who will expect to just cross when ever they feel like it.

Rule H2: Rule for drivers, motorcyclists, horse riders and cyclists
At a junction you should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning.[/quote]
Highway code rules for pedestrians:

. Otherwise choose a place where you can see clearly in all directions. Try to avoid crossing between parked cars (see Rule 14), on a blind bend, or close to the brow of a hill. Move to a space where drivers and riders can see you clearly.

purplesequins · 17/12/2021 17:50

Stupid advice. So now cars can't overtake cyclists and have to stop for every pedestrian? They're just trying to make it impractical to drive.

not advice. it's law.
maybe you shouldn't drive if you can't follow the highway code.

RandomKettle500 · 17/12/2021 17:51

I tend to wait for a break in traffic before crossing a road. On the rare occasion I have been waved across by a driver I have almost been killed by a cyclist overtaking them on the far side, or in one case a bus turning into the side road that I was crossing, who didn’t see that the car had stopped to let me cross. It is very very dangerous. How will a driver know whether a pedestrian is planning to cross then an there, or is waiting for a break in traffic? Do we just stop anyway and wait until they decide? I ALWAYS give way to a pedestrian who is already crossing...but standing on the kerb not so much. I make eye contact with them though, so I know they have seen me coming.

godmum56 · 17/12/2021 17:53

@FrazzledY9Parent

I think the pedestrians near me have been piloting these rules for quite some time Grin
you must live near me
EgonSpengler2020 · 17/12/2021 17:55

If you drive around every junction at a speed appropriate for the possibility that there may be a pedestrian about to cross then you'll have no problem with that rule. Just slow down.

thetinsoldier · 17/12/2021 18:00

I've not heard anything about this! So a car has to stop on a main road to give way to a pedestrian crossing a side road?? Bonkers.

I've no idea where this was 'widely reported', but it hasn't reached me until now...

Blinkingbatshit · 17/12/2021 18:06

This is as nuts as the ‘smart motorways’ which basically translates as use the hard shoulder as a land and then watch the deaths pile up and say oops but not do anything about it. What moronic idiots come up with these ideas? How much do they get paid? I want their job!!