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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think a driver (or cyclist) having to give way to a pedestrian waiting to cross is a crazy new rule?

449 replies

flashbac · 31/12/2021 07:17

To clarify, if a pedestrian is waiting to cross on a road a driver is turning into, new rules from January state the driver has to let them cross.
Also applies to cyclists as pedestrians have priority.
All very well and good until you consider how chaotic this could be at junctions. Fine on unbusy roads.
I'm thinking:
What if you are turning into a 30 mph road from a 40?
What if you are turning right at a busy junction?

It sounds crazy to me.
And before anyone jumps at me and says they do it in Europe and its fine. I'd like to know how congested and busy the roads in these countries are and what the public transport is like.

OP posts:
RampantIvy · 31/12/2021 07:20

I didn't know about this, so thank you for posting.

Tootfroot · 31/12/2021 07:26

DH and I were talking about the implications of this yesterday, and concluded it would mean more collisions, not less.
It'll be particularly bad at the beginning because it's not been pushed at all, so we're all going to be a bit confused I think.
The idea seems to be to make drivers more aware of cyclists and pedestrians, but it's the awareness that needs to be pushed rather than a change in who takes priority.
Imagine pedestrians stepping into the road and assuming that drivers will just stop.
Non drivers may well have no idea of braking distances etc.

loudbatperson · 31/12/2021 07:26

I think if more drivers and cyclist obeyed the old rule (pedestrians already crossing the new road had priority over those turning in), and drove accordingly and cautiously when turning into a junction, the new rule wouldn't have been needed.

Tootfroot · 31/12/2021 07:27

@loudbatperson

I think if more drivers and cyclist obeyed the old rule (pedestrians already crossing the new road had priority over those turning in), and drove accordingly and cautiously when turning into a junction, the new rule wouldn't have been needed.
Absolutely. It's a question of looking where you're going really
CasperGutman · 31/12/2021 07:30

Another concern I have is that there doesn't seem to be any rule about cars approaching the junction from the side road needing to give way. So, I give way when turning into a side road, a pedestrian steps out, and they get stranded in the middle of the road (or flattened).

Unescorted · 31/12/2021 07:31

Surely if you are turning into a junction you are going slow enough to pause momentarily to allow a person continue in their straight line journey. If you can't manage that without causing chaos then you may want to think about your ability to drive.

BurntToastAgain · 31/12/2021 07:33

@loudbatperson

I think if more drivers and cyclist obeyed the old rule (pedestrians already crossing the new road had priority over those turning in), and drove accordingly and cautiously when turning into a junction, the new rule wouldn't have been needed.
I agree with this.
Original poster
flashbac · 31/12/2021 07:33

@loudbatperson

I think if more drivers and cyclist obeyed the old rule (pedestrians already crossing the new road had priority over those turning in), and drove accordingly and cautiously when turning into a junction, the new rule wouldn't have been needed.
Giving way to someone already on the road is different. They are easier to see for one thing. Someone standing on a kerb might be obscured by a parked car or a hedge for example. Furthermore, what if there is a lot of foot traffic and there are endless people wanting to cross? The driver waits like a sitting duck causing congestion?
OP posts:
mamaweebeastie · 31/12/2021 07:34

If these new rules are coming in then the government should have least made an effort to make sure the entire country knows MONTHS before the change. It should be advised/campaigned like a election- not that many take not of that either but... apart from the odd new arrival on SM Iv seen very little & the folks in my community know even less. All I envision is more accidents. As usual it's not been planed & exacted properly

loudbatperson · 31/12/2021 07:35

@CasperGutman

Another concern I have is that there doesn't seem to be any rule about cars approaching the junction from the side road needing to give way. So, I give way when turning into a side road, a pedestrian steps out, and they get stranded in the middle of the road (or flattened).
The new rules give a clear hierarchy of priority on the road, based on risk, with those at most risk of harm being higher.

In this example the pedestrian has the priority and the oncoming car should be observing and stopping/slowing.

ShirleyPhallus · 31/12/2021 07:35

I think it’s awful, especially driving through bits of London like Croydon where everyone seems to step out without even looking anyway

Original poster
flashbac · 31/12/2021 07:35

@Unescorted

Surely if you are turning into a junction you are going slow enough to pause momentarily to allow a person continue in their straight line journey. If you can't manage that without causing chaos then you may want to think about your ability to drive.
I'm not concerned about not stopping. I'm more concerned about the people behind me not stopping or the build up of congestion.
OP posts:
Tootfroot · 31/12/2021 07:36

@Unescorted

Surely if you are turning into a junction you are going slow enough to pause momentarily to allow a person continue in their straight line journey. If you can't manage that without causing chaos then you may want to think about your ability to drive.
This us how it's been. But now we are going to have pedestrians just stepping out because it's their right of way, potentially. Whereas previously it's just been about paying attention to pedestrians.
rattlemehearties · 31/12/2021 07:36

I don't understand your point about a 40 zone turning into a 30 zone.... You should be doing 30 when you pass the 30 signs, and turning into a junction you'll be doing far less in an area where someone is likely to cross the road?

KiloWhat · 31/12/2021 07:37

@loudbatperson

I think if more drivers and cyclist obeyed the old rule (pedestrians already crossing the new road had priority over those turning in), and drove accordingly and cautiously when turning into a junction, the new rule wouldn't have been needed.
I agree. It's shocking how many people ignore this!
shouldistop · 31/12/2021 07:38

It's bonkers and there's no way I'll be teaching my children they can step out in front of a car.

KiloWhat · 31/12/2021 07:39

Furthermore, what if there is a lot of foot traffic and there are endless people wanting to cross? The driver waits like a sitting duck causing congestion well yes. It's that or run people over so they'll just have to wait.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 31/12/2021 07:40

@rattlemehearties

I don't understand your point about a 40 zone turning into a 30 zone.... You should be doing 30 when you pass the 30 signs, and turning into a junction you'll be doing far less in an area where someone is likely to cross the road?
She said 30 into 40, not 40 into 30.
loudbatperson · 31/12/2021 07:41

Giving way to someone already on the road is different. They are easier to see for one thing. Someone standing on a kerb might be obscured by a parked car or a hedge for example. Furthermore, what if there is a lot of foot traffic and there are endless people wanting to cross? The driver waits like a sitting duck causing congestion?

The point is that too many drivers are not driving in a way that allows for people crossing, so the rules have been changed. Scanning the pavements of the junction you are turning into should be second nature, to spot someone starting to cross before you turn in (this was a basic taught when I learnt to drive).

Most high footfall junctions have set crossings and lights, so any impact of additional waiting times for drivers will be small. At the end of the day people's safety matters more than some delays.

If longer journey times also cause more people to walk when possible (for short local journeys) all the better.

KiloWhat · 31/12/2021 07:41

What if you are turning into a 30 mph road from a 40? you would have slowed down anyway if there was a person crossing. Its just the same if there is a person waiting to cross.

Tootfroot · 31/12/2021 07:41

@rattlemehearties

I don't understand your point about a 40 zone turning into a 30 zone.... You should be doing 30 when you pass the 30 signs, and turning into a junction you'll be doing far less in an area where someone is likely to cross the road?
I think the point is, we'd all slow down to make this turn, and watch out for people in the road. But now, instead of pedestrians waiting till it's safe to cross, the cars have to wait for anybody who wants to cross (is if it were a zebra crossing?) That's only if my understanding is correct, and that's the point really - many of us are not entirely sure. But if I do understand correctly, it will certainly cause more congestion along with the confusion
Original poster
flashbac · 31/12/2021 07:42

For the umpteenth time, the rules are CHANGING so that a driver has to stop if a pedestrian is WAITING to cross. I have no issue with stopping if they are already crossing.

OP posts:
KiloWhat · 31/12/2021 07:42

Scanning the pavements of the junction you are turning into should be second nature, to spot someone starting to cross before you turn in (this was a basic taught when I learnt to drive). yes I had to double check that this was indeed a new rule as I had been taught to check for people about to cross anyway. This just gives them extra priority

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 31/12/2021 07:42

I was the driver in this scenario and turned into a road letting a woman cross, the guy turning behind me whacked straight into me!

Simonjt · 31/12/2021 07:43

@loudbatperson

I think if more drivers and cyclist obeyed the old rule (pedestrians already crossing the new road had priority over those turning in), and drove accordingly and cautiously when turning into a junction, the new rule wouldn't have been needed.
Yep, you see far far too many drivers ignoring this, but then it shouldn’t be a surprise when so many don’t even stop at zebra crossings. There have been so many near misses at the one near my sons primary school.