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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask about the new Highway Code rules

119 replies

SparkleTwinkle101 · 30/01/2022 19:30

Just after some thoughts on this scenario as I can't tell who is supposed to do what. We live in an estate which begins with a massive secondary school. To enter and exit the estate onto the main road there are two mini roundabouts next to each other.

With the new rules regarding pedestrians does that mean that when turning off the roundabout into the estate we would need to give way to pedestrians. I can see that it will result in accidents as it is a very very busy road. Also I have no idea if that is the case how anyone will enter or exit the estate as there are constant students!

AIBU to be totally confused about what we are supposed to do

OP posts:
Alayalaya · 30/01/2022 20:18

As a pedestrian I’m going to continue crossing the road defensively and waiting if I see oncoming traffic. Regardless of what the Highway Code says I’m still squishier than a car and I don’t want to risk my life by walking out in front of them. As a driver I’m hoping most people will take this common sense approach because it’s really dangerous if people just start walking out in front of cars.

Lockheart · 30/01/2022 20:18

If you are looking right (as you do at a roundabout) to pull out and the car to your left has slammed it's breaks on then you have no chance.

You should always make sure your way is clear before proceeding. You should never drive straight on whilst only looking to your right. You need to look right and look ahead, and check again.

Honestly OP all you're saying here is "I'm an unsafe driver".

You have as much chance as you give yourself.

Momicrone · 30/01/2022 20:19

Why wouldn't you want to let a bus out? Its full of people. Why's everyone so impatient?

StarsAreWishes · 30/01/2022 20:20

I can’t see your diagram @SparkleTwinkle101 Grin

Momicrone · 30/01/2022 20:21

If driving is so onerous, try cycling.

OneTC · 30/01/2022 20:22

The highway code has said you should prioritise buses in every situation, where safe to do so for years

For me, if they're indicating to get out I stop and let them do it, they'll be pulling over again in a couple of minutes and you can pass then

Original poster
SparkleTwinkle101 · 30/01/2022 20:32

@StarsAreWishes enjoy.

The footpath is covered with trees and bushes so can't see what's there until you turn in. There is not enough room other than driving on the mini rounabout to get fully past a car that stops to let people out of the footpath as you would hit their bumper. All roads other than the central one are housing estates. Turn right to get to one town and left to get to the other so frequent turns happening!

To ask about the new Highway Code rules
OP posts:
Original poster
SparkleTwinkle101 · 30/01/2022 20:33

@StarsAreWishes space between the two roundabouts is about a car length

OP posts:
Original poster
SparkleTwinkle101 · 30/01/2022 20:38

@Momicrone

If driving is so onerous, try cycling.
I don't think that would be possible with my job it shows as a 6 hour walk so let's say a 3 hour ride (also no showers or changing facilities when I get there!)
OP posts:
megletthesecond · 30/01/2022 20:43

As a pedestrian this worries me.
If I choose to wait to cross I'll cross when there are no cars.

cakeorwine · 30/01/2022 20:43

I thought that if you came off a roundabout, then it's not a junction.

Entering a roundabout - I think it is.

The graphics only show the simple case of a car turning left into a minor junction. Not the more complex case of a car on the minor junction waiting to turn left, a car on the major junction turning left and car on the major junction waiting to turn right across the traffic.

There could be a lot of waiting.

Livelifeinthebuslane · 30/01/2022 20:45

I can't see a definition of what's a junction, i.e. does it include roundabouts and I also wondered about traffic light controlled junctions with pedestrian crossings - a quick Google doesn't help.

megletthesecond · 30/01/2022 20:46

Yes alayalaya I'm still going to wait too. It's a very risky rule change.

cakeorwine · 30/01/2022 20:47

@Livelifeinthebuslane

I can't see a definition of what's a junction, i.e. does it include roundabouts and I also wondered about traffic light controlled junctions with pedestrian crossings - a quick Google doesn't help.
I agree.

What if there is a green light so a car can turn left and there is a red man on the pedestrian crossing - and someone is waiting to cross?

Original poster
SparkleTwinkle101 · 30/01/2022 20:49

@cakeorwine wouldn't the crossing overrule the priority? Otherwise what's the point in crossings at all!

OP posts:
cakeorwine · 30/01/2022 20:50

[quote SparkleTwinkle101]@cakeorwine wouldn't the crossing overrule the priority? Otherwise what's the point in crossings at all! [/quote]
That's why when people write 'codes' , they need to think about every situation.

Hawkins001 · 30/01/2022 20:53

@SpringChickenSubstitute

Why not drop an email to your local councillor and ask for some advice/help? If the rules have changed then some crossing points need to be thought out differently.
I'm guessing for the similar advice, it's faster on here to ask.
Livelifeinthebuslane · 30/01/2022 21:08

I would presume it can't include light-controlled crossings, but it's not absolutely clear in anything I've seen.

Tee20x · 30/01/2022 21:16

I also would assume that crossings with lights aren't affected by this as surely the lights would override.

StarsAreWishes · 30/01/2022 23:07

With regard to roundabouts, it’s looks like yes, they are a junction, so should be treated the same way as any other road you are entering. I.e. give way to pedestrians. Also the rule has only changed from “watch out for” to “give way to” pedestrians in the same scenario.

187
In all cases watch out for and give plenty of room to … pedestrians who may be crossing the approach and exit roads

188
Mini-roundabouts. Approach these in the same way as normal roundabouts

190
Multiple roundabouts. At some complex junctions, there may be a series of mini-roundabouts at each intersection. Treat each mini-roundabout separately and follow the normal rules.

H2
When people are crossing or waiting to cross at a junction, other traffic should give way. If people have started crossing and traffic wants to turn into the road, the people crossing have priority and the traffic should give way.

Sausagesausagesausage · 30/01/2022 23:18

I wish they'd done a better job explaining and publicising the new rules. I stopped to let a pedestrian across at a junction today, had to signal them to cross and got beeped at by the driver behind me because it was taking too long.

StarsAreWishes · 30/01/2022 23:25

@Sausagesausagesausage

I wish they'd done a better job explaining and publicising the new rules. I stopped to let a pedestrian across at a junction today, had to signal them to cross and got beeped at by the driver behind me because it was taking too long.
I agree. I just had a discussion with DH who genuinely thought this now meant that pedestrians can/should just step into the road anywhere..

Now of course, with the introduction of the hierarchy of road users, the car driver has a duty of care in that scenario (as they always would have) but the new rule H2 is quite specific that it is pedestrians crossing a side road, the end of a road usually at a t-junction, not e.g. the middle of the high street.

riotlady · 30/01/2022 23:29

Does this apply only if you’re turning into a road at a junction or do you still stop if someone wants to cross the main road and you’re carrying on straight ahead?

StarsAreWishes · 30/01/2022 23:34

@riotlady

Does this apply only if you’re turning into a road at a junction or do you still stop if someone wants to cross the main road and you’re carrying on straight ahead?
Only if you are turning into or out of a road. Not half way down the road.

But my concern is someone as a pedestrian might not realise that, and think they have right of way everywhere.

Pedestrians already had right of way if they were crossing a side road/junction. The only difference there is they now also have priority if waiting to cross.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 31/01/2022 08:39

H2
When people are crossing or waiting to cross at a junction, other traffic should give way. If people have started crossing and traffic wants to turn into the road, the people crossing have priority and the traffic should give way.

This one concerns me. From the second sentence, Its clear that only those turning out need to give way to those waiting. From the first sentence, it says that everyone has to give way to those waiting.

Logically, it makes sense that it's those turning out.

A code really shouldn't have different interpretations.