Page 7 | To post this for road users unaware of upcoming highway code changes

FluffyBooBoo · 2021-12-17T15:49:44+00:00

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.

Dottybackorcid · 17/12/2021 18:35

@Fomofo

Yeah feckin cyclists causing accidents everywhere

I`ll think you will find that both drivers and cyclists are pretty close.

ROSPA
^In collisions involving a bicycle and another vehicle, the most common key contributory factor recorded by the
police is ‘failed to look properly’ by either the driver or rider, especially at junctions. ‘Failed to look properly’
was attributed to the car driver in 57% of serious collisions and to the cyclist in 43% of serious collisions at
junctions.^

worriedatthemoment · 17/12/2021 18:36

Round here they pretty much do this anyway if there even looking
Silly though as you slow to turn and then suddenly stop as someone crosses then car behind you goes up your arse
Most countries you have to cross at correct crossings
The bikes I think i would actually rather bit a pain on a 60 road

PuzzledObserver · 17/12/2021 18:37

It’s such a relief to see this. I’m losing count of the number of pedestrians I have maimed or killed maintaining my right of way while turning corners. Not to mention the damage to the front of my car.

Oh no, wait….. I’ve always stopped if I turned into a road and someone was crossing it, out of a general desire not to hit people. I may, however, also have silently cursed them.

limitedperiodonly · 17/12/2021 18:37

I knew it was going to be this when I opened it. There's been uproar. It's a good change though I'm not sure how many people will see it that way or even read it.

On the first page @SirChenjins bleated that it's too confusing. How bloody confusing is it? My general rule is that if there is something in front of you and you can safely avoid running it over then don't. If you are in an unavoidable accident you will generally not be prosecuted and if so it will be tested in court.

I've been driving for nearly 40 years but have been walking for a lot longer. I have always assumed (wrongly) that if I drive from a main road into a side road then all pedestrians had priority. That seemed fair to me when driving because I am in a two ton car and they are flesh and bone. When crossing the road I definitely think that.

Even though for years I was under a misapprehension to give way to pedestrians at all times even while walking stupidly or being annoying it's never been a problem. I don't want to tempt fate but since passing my test in December 1984 I've managed to avoid running anyone over under any circumstances.

But I learned relatively recently that before this change people on the pavement did not have priority. That seems crazy because most people don't hurl themselves in front of you and you should be entering a side road with the same degree of caution you'd apply to all driving.

I believe people already crossing the road do have priority and always have. That makes sense because if you turned in and saw another car or a parade of elephants only the craziest of drivers would put their foot down. So why should it be any different to be confronted by a person already in the middle of the road?

But I can't be the only person who's taken an idiot by surprise by being in the middle of a side road recklessly crossing it when they have turned in not anticipating any hazard? Sensible people stop but others dramatically slam on the brakes and scream abuse.

I always jump back because I'm never going to win an argument with a car. But as an experienced and responsible driver I know they are shit at driving and shouldn't be in charge of a pedal car on the pavement with their mum saying: "Mind that lady".

worriedatthemoment · 17/12/2021 18:40

@Spectre8 have you seen every junction in the uk as there are many
Round here the park right in junction so if someone walks out between cars its hard to see and people will go into back of you
Silly to cross at a junction in the first place i have always taught my kids not too
We all have to have a bit of self responsibility as well surely
Instead if tackling real issue as in more cycle lanes , better crossings etc its easier to put more on the motorist
We have go drive round here as out buses stop at 5:30 and barely run at all sundays

BewareTheRedNosedDragon · 17/12/2021 18:45

@FreedomDrops

Will this new rule mean they can tell me to FO and just keep meandering down the roadway?

There's no change, they're entitled to do that now!

What - so any pedestrian can choose to walk on the road instead of the pavement and cars just have to crawl along behind them? I don't mean they are crossing from one side to another, they are using the road as a pavement?

FreedomDrops · 17/12/2021 18:50

What - so any pedestrian can choose to walk on the road instead of the pavement and cars just have to crawl along behind them? I don't mean they are crossing from one side to another, they are using the road as a pavement?

I'm not aware of anything in the highway code preventing it, but maybe you do? You're talking about a single-track service road I think, not the A52.

whynotwhatknot · 17/12/2021 18:50

i dont know how this is logical

someone steps out round a corner in the dark wearing black and its my fault if i dont see them?

whynotwhatknot · 17/12/2021 18:52

the other week a man was walking down an unlit road no pavement in dark colours going with the flow of traffic i dont know how he was still alive

it was 60 mile an hour road

LostForIdeas · 17/12/2021 18:52

Wait, hold on, you're to give way to cyclists BEHIND YOU?! How the fuck is that going to work

That’s the part I can’t understand.
Cyclists have no indicators so how are you supposed to know what they want to do?

diddl · 17/12/2021 18:56

I see that the cyclist is expected to pull in to allow a car to pass though.

So there will still be some drivers squeezing by & not giving the cyclist the distance that they should?

SusieBob · 17/12/2021 18:56

@whynotwhatknot

i dont know how this is logical

someone steps out round a corner in the dark wearing black and its my fault if i dont see them?

Maybe turn your headlights on?

Just a thought.

SusieBob · 17/12/2021 18:57

@LostForIdeas

Wait, hold on, you're to give way to cyclists BEHIND YOU?! How the fuck is that going to work

That’s the part I can’t understand.
Cyclists have no indicators so how are you supposed to know what they want to do?

No...

You are supposed to give way to cyclists in a cycle lane rather than just turning across them.

Just like you give way to other cars on your left if you want to cross a lane.

This is not difficult to understand.

FreedomDrops · 17/12/2021 18:58

@whynotwhatknot

i dont know how this is logical

someone steps out round a corner in the dark wearing black and its my fault if i dont see them?

I guess you'll be more careful going round corners

thatsallineed · 17/12/2021 18:59

Good grief. It will be carnage.

How did they manage to get this into law when they can't even spell the word 'kerb' properly?

BewareTheRedNosedDragon · 17/12/2021 19:00

@diddl

I see that the cyclist is expected to pull in to allow a car to pass though.

So there will still be some drivers squeezing by & not giving the cyclist the distance that they should?

Is there more guidance on when they should pull in to allow a car to pass? Because on a busy road how the hell can the cyclist decide when they ought to pull in, when there a huge queue of cars behind them? I will feel even more stressed knowing that I'm expected to decide when cars should pass me (unless I've misunderstood)

BewareTheRedNosedDragon · 17/12/2021 19:05

@FreedomDrops
Highway Code - rules for pedestrians - general guidance - rule 1 'Pavements (including any path along the side of the road) should be used if provided'

So no, pedestrians should not be walking along a road (currently) where there are pavements on both sides regardless of its just a service road (which cars have to drive along to get to certain roads)

drainitallout · 17/12/2021 19:08

@LostForIdeas

Wait, hold on, you're to give way to cyclists BEHIND YOU?! How the fuck is that going to work

That’s the part I can’t understand.
Cyclists have no indicators so how are you supposed to know what they want to do?

You wait till they pass you...

drainitallout · 17/12/2021 19:10

@BewareTheRedNosedDragon you pull over when there is enough space for the car to pass safely, just as you should be doing now

whynotwhatknot · 17/12/2021 19:12

i did it was pitch black didnt see him till the last second

i have to sit and wait then till a cyclist pases me and crawl along behind it

Woodmarsh · 17/12/2021 19:12

Not sure if its been mentioned but the rule is changing for passing horses too, max 10mph min 2m width

BewareTheRedNosedDragon · 17/12/2021 19:13

[quote drainitallout]@BewareTheRedNosedDragon you pull over when there is enough space for the car to pass safely, just as you should be doing now[/quote]
Ok, so the cyclist when it's safe. Personally I don't pull over, and I don't experience cyclists pulling over when I'm driving, but I also don't cycle in the middle of the road and neither do any cyclist near me. I/they cycle near the edge and expect drivers to pass when it's safe.
I understand the expectations with the new rules then - thanks.

BewareTheRedNosedDragon · 17/12/2021 19:14

@Woodmarsh

Not sure if its been mentioned but the rule is changing for passing horses too, max 10mph min 2m width

That is eminently sensible - and totally workable since horses are rarely on the roadway.

purplesequins · 17/12/2021 19:15

@Woodmarsh

Not sure if its been mentioned but the rule is changing for passing horses too, max 10mph min 2m width

good

eastegg · 17/12/2021 19:15

@thetinsoldier

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...

What are you doing at the moment? Running them over?