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AIBU?

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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:
loudbatperson · 31/12/2021 08:59

@AutumnAlmanack

It is utter madness. Why can't we just stick to the old rule that pedestrians who want to cross the road find a pedestrian crossing?

Or make it like the USA, where you are ONLY allowed to cross at designated crossings and have to wait until the traffic stops at the lights. That is a sensible system.

That isn't how the rules work currently though, so the whole premise is wrong.

On the second point, the USA road system is built completely differently to the UKs, largely in a block formation with fewer turnoffs.

In your suggestion, there would have to be light controlled crossing, or stop signs every time a pavement is stopped by a junction. That would not work with the way the UK roads are laid out, due to the historic nature of their development.

Alexandra2001 · 31/12/2021 09:00

People always hate change.
For far too long the car has ruled the road, with quite frankly very poor training.
These changes will put the onus on the driver to look where they are going & observe what is around them, a pedestrian rarely just "appears" at a junction, you should have spotted them walking along the road meters earlier, same with a cyclist - why didn't you see them in your mirror way before they magically shot up the inside of your car?
But perhaps the biggest change will be in how the courts interpret the new rules, i hope there will be new sentencing guidelines so that the 1800 people killed by drivers (each year) start getting some justice, instead of 3 points and £200 fine.

NightIbble · 31/12/2021 09:00

As a non driver part of the problem at the moment is cars not indicating so you don't know if they are turning into the road or not!

HunterHearstHelmsley · 31/12/2021 09:00

@AutumnAlmanack

It is utter madness. Why can't we just stick to the old rule that pedestrians who want to cross the road find a pedestrian crossing?

Or make it like the USA, where you are ONLY allowed to cross at designated crossings and have to wait until the traffic stops at the lights. That is a sensible system.

There aren't that many crossings. I drove a short journey this morning (2 miles), all outskirts of train. There was one zebra and three pelicans. Two of the pelicans were within 20 yards of each other. It'd be pretty difficult to walk anywhere.
jgw1 · 31/12/2021 09:01

*^this

Who hurtles around corners at high speeds!?*

Well the aim of driving is to channel ones inner Louis Hamilton and get to the destination as quickly as possible, so of course one goes round corners at the highest possible speed.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 31/12/2021 09:01

However, I've just realised by those rules I would never be able to get anywhere other than my estate!

NotAPoEmptied · 31/12/2021 09:02

@ShirleyPhallus

I think it’s awful, especially driving through bits of London like Croydon where everyone seems to step out without even looking anyway
That’s what it’s for, isn’t it?
Whitefire · 31/12/2021 09:02

the 60 sign (national speed sign before anyone tries that)

As an aside, I often drive on a section of road that has a 60 sign, it is a dual carriageway so is less than the NSL would be.

Cheeseycheeseycheesecheese · 31/12/2021 09:03

So basically a junction opening is going to become an unmarked zebra crossing?

As a pedestrian, I wouldn't even think to just start crossing, isn't that the idea of the green cross code? Stop, look, listen, cross and keep looking?

Iggly · 31/12/2021 09:03

@jgw1

*^this

Who hurtles around corners at high speeds!?*

Well the aim of driving is to channel ones inner Louis Hamilton and get to the destination as quickly as possible, so of course one goes round corners at the highest possible speed.

😂
HunterHearstHelmsley · 31/12/2021 09:04

Reminds me of my great gran when zebras were first introduced... She'd just step into the road waving her walking stick about. I have no idea how she survived.

gogohm · 31/12/2021 09:04

I was on a little course, the one that avoids points, and the instructors gave us a run down of the "new" rules, apparently nothing has actually changed they have simply codified what was already the case, for instance with pedestrians it's only if they are already crossing (so don't run them over). As a car driver you should have been following these already but they weren't implicitly written down basically

Onehotmessiah · 31/12/2021 09:05

You have misunderstood the new rules.

Tulipvase · 31/12/2021 09:05

I walk a reasonable amount per day (3/4 miles). It seems impossible to get most drivers to abide by the current rules, stopping at crossings for example, that I can’t see these new rules being followed. People get in their cars and lose any sense of the world around them. All that matters is getting to their destination as quickly as possible.

Badabingbadatinselbum · 31/12/2021 09:05

I am learning to drive so this is being taught to me. However I don't think it is going to massively change how pedestrians step out. Anyone sensible isn't suddenly going to start stepping out at junctions in front of flowing traffic because they understand that if cars don't stop they will get run over. Teenagers and adults who should know better who step out without looking now will continue to do so.

ZoBo123 · 31/12/2021 09:05

I agree with the rule change. Would also stop people randomly crossing in the middle of the road and waiting for a crossing or to come to the next junction. I think it would also be good to paint zebra crossings on junctions to help reinforce this. Not suggesting doing them all at once but in line with resurfacing or repainting works or new junctions being built. Would help to normalise this.

Bigfatpicnic · 31/12/2021 09:06

Has this new rule actually been approved?, the things I’ve read about it say it is still subject to parliament approval. But I’m not claiming to be totally up to date on it!

It’ll be chaos.

MargaretThursday · 31/12/2021 09:08

Only time I've had a prang was when I stopped to let a pedestrian cross, when the lights were out at a Pelican crossing.
If I hadn't had the handbrake on, it would probably have shunted me into the pedestrian, so more dangerous for them too.
Cost the driver being £600, even though they were only doing 5-10mph at the time.

daisychain01 · 31/12/2021 09:08

On the basis that I was always taught that the pedestrian is the vulnerable party and it's important as a motorist to ensure they get across the road safely, I always give that pedestrian the right of way. Why wouldn't I, I've slowed down to take the corner, so it's the right thing to do.

It's a shame they've had to point it out, but there is so much selfish aggressive driving nowadays, it's necessary.

gogohm · 31/12/2021 09:09

@JakeyRolling

Cyclists have to give way to pedestrians so if everyone is obeying the law they will stop.

Whichcatthatcat · 31/12/2021 09:10

Is this everywhere or only at junctions?

What is the new Green Croos Code? "Don't stop, look or listen, just wander out and hope the drivers stop"

And to the poster who said its the drivers responsibility to keep up with changes in the highway code, how is that a suitable arrangement? If a major change is occurring, there should be a huge publicity campaign. The government can't expect every one to reread the highway code every month just to see if anything has changed.

ichundich · 31/12/2021 09:11

I can't get worked up over this. Like you say, they do it in Europe and there it works well. Might also encourage more cyclists to use the cycle path if they don't have to give way at every junction anymore.

KiloWhat · 31/12/2021 09:11

@Whichcatthatcat

Is this everywhere or only at junctions?

What is the new Green Croos Code? "Don't stop, look or listen, just wander out and hope the drivers stop"

And to the poster who said its the drivers responsibility to keep up with changes in the highway code, how is that a suitable arrangement? If a major change is occurring, there should be a huge publicity campaign. The government can't expect every one to reread the highway code every month just to see if anything has changed.

When you sign up to your driving licence it's what you agree to.
ThirdElephant · 31/12/2021 09:12

Silly idea. No one knows about it, so most pedestrians waiting to cross will wait for the car to go before they do so. The car, waiting for the pedestrian, then has the choice of sitting there blocking traffic or waving the pedestrian across, which is against the highway code as the driver is then liable if it's not safe for the pedestrian to cross (driver coming the other way etc).

What was wrong with the old way?

JakeyRolling · 31/12/2021 09:12

[quote gogohm]@JakeyRolling

Cyclists have to give way to pedestrians so if everyone is obeying the law they will stop.[/quote]
You miss my point - car hits cyclist whose undertaken from behind and expects car already making manoeuvre (having waited for pedestrian) to see them and stop - you can check mirrors all you like but in the city when they come up the inside of a line of cars at 20mph they sometimes aren't visible till the last minute.