I have a traffic/Highway Code/school kid AIBU WITH DIAGRAM!

[Thefallow]

This is the route I drive to work. School is a huge secondary with 2000+ pupils.

Kids (as demonstrated by the stickman) try to cross the road at the roundabout by either a) darting in front of cars or b) waiting for a car to slam their brakes on to let them past. They have a zebra crossing with crossing lady 20 meters up the road opposite of the actual entrance to the school.

1). I NEVER stop to let them cross, it means stopping on a roundabout and risking someone driving up your arse because why would you randomly stop on a roundabout. I’ve done this countless times when the car in front decides to emergency break to let them cross when you don’t expect it (well I do now so keep well back)
2) They should be crossing at the zebra so it pisses me off when other drivers let them cross and reinforce their behaviour
3) with the new Highway Code pedestrians have right of way at junctions…do I now need to stop and let them cross?!

Well you should be indicating when you leave the roundabout, so yes, pedestrians have priority.

And under the previous rules, pedestrians who were crossing had priority.

Unfortunately I think you do although they couldn’t have made it any more complicated to work out. I’m just hoping they reverse this one as there are going to be so many accidents when people just walk out in front of cars claiming the Highway Code says it’s there right of way. I’m quite lucky at the minute as none of the 20 million cyclists that use the long roads near me ( they all seem to amass on a Sunday morning) have started driving in the middle of the lane yet.

YABU and Y have always BU as you should have always been giving way to pedestrians who had even one toe into the road.

Mostly where this happens near a school there are barriers installed to stop pedestrians crossing. I guess someone needs to request these.

Yeah you have to let them cross.

However, I'd consider dropping an email to the school to ask them to remind pupils to use the crossing and point out that there have been a few near misses.

Right on the corner of the roundabout? No, I would not be stopping as I'm still exiting the roundabout but have not actually exited yet. What's to stop another driver wondering "what the fuck is Hospedia doing!?" and pulling around me whereupon they run over the kid they didn't realise I'd stopped for?

I'd also be giving the school a ring and asking them if they could remind all the kids about crossing safely.

Under the rules I believe you should be stopping, although it's clearly bonkers.

I agree with pp - barriers should be put up there to keep everyone safe.

We've got a roundabout near us where they've recently put crossings really close to the roundabout and I think it's crazy. You often can't see the crossing until you're leaving the roundabout because of other vehicles.
There's been a few accidents already.

I thought the new rules came into play when you are turning at a junction, so for example turning off a main road onto a side street - then you give way to waiting pedestrians. Why would you give way at the exit of a roundabout, it's not a junction? Or have I misunderstood the new code?

Tbh I think the new code will be an issue for a while, I normally stop for pedestrians waiting to cross where I can, but if it includes roundabout exits I'll take some getting used to!

Only on side streets, where there is a crossing pedestrians are supposed to use them. Email the school they should be monitoring behaviour including road safety

Some roundabouts have zebra crossings all the way round

And this is why I drive a longer route to work. The shorter way passes by 3 schools and the kids have form for jumping in front of cars before these new rules comes in so goodness knows what it will be like when they realise they legally can now.

The long route I take means I don't see one school pupil and it makes my life much less stressful.

The new rules in this circumstance are incredibly dangerous.

I think the news rules say yes you stop but honestly in practice someone is going to hit u up the arse aren’t they?

I think you only have to stop at junctions on eg. side streets, not when you're coming off a roundabout unless there are lines in the road to indicate you to need to stop and wait.

The new rules are going to cause lots of accidents I think. But yes you now have to give way.

The only thing you can do is email the school and get them to remind pupils to cross at the Zebra and that it’s still dangerous to step out in the road without looking. Especially on a roundabout. Whether it will help or not though, who knows.

I would also email the local highways department and suggest that they put up railings at the edge of the pavement to try and encourage the use of the crossing.

I’m just hoping they reverse this one as there are going to be so many accidents when people just walk out in front of cars claiming the Highway Code says it’s there right of way.

A message frequently reinforced here on MN. Having the law on your side will not stop you coming off worse in an accident with a car if you are a pedestrian. You don't get to feel smug about being right when you're dead. I live on a road with no footpath and plenty of obscured driveways, as a pedestrian I walk it as if I like living.

Is this really true? If so, it will cause chaos in central London (where the rule is basically to run anyone over if they try to cross while the light is green).

Link here www.gov.uk/government/news/the-highway-code-8-changes-you-need-to-know-from-29-january-2022

Give way only at junctions, not on all roads.