Drivers not following Highway code

[MikeRafone]

https://x.com/citizenuddin/status/1687092237786820608?s=46&t=6ReKAbxD2gRFwL---KRV8w

why do drivers not follow the Highway Code?

if you’re not going to update yourself regularly on Highway ide you should lose your licence to drive

Recently did my theory test. Thought you only had to give way to pedestrians already in the road?

Agree. Or pause on a zebra crossing. All too often I have seen cars halfway over a zebra crossing and the pedestrian just walks into the road without even pausing to check. It's ridiculous

Lol, I think you're stating the bleedin' obvious there.

if a pedestrian is already in the road, it would take an incredibly shit driver (aka a murderer) not to give way to them.

anotheranotheranotheranother · Yesterday 18:28

I said it is is a stupid change which is why people are not observing it, both drivers and pedestrians.

It's not a stupid rule at all. Drivers (i.e. me as well) should be looking ahead and stopping, instead of turning in, if pedestrians are present. Many pedestrians won't cross until a car has turned, because they're sensible in not wanting to be knocked down.

I've always waited and if necessary, waved pedestrians across, before turning. I had motorbikes from 1992 (still do) and didn't do a car test until 2008. On my test, I had a left turn, where a couple was waiting to go, so I stopped and waved them over. After the test, the examiner asked me who had right of way and why I'd given way.

I said that pedestrians in the road have absolute right of way, but I thought that they might have stepped out, so exercised caution. He said that if I'd not stopped, he would have failed me - that's before the law changed to say that you need to wait for people who are about to cross.

If you want to turn, you need to observe, look ahead and plan, in case you need to brake gradually, because of less observant drivers behind.

As Kat19899 says, she didn't know the law and she's passed since it came into law. I suppose many pedestrians are also unaware of it, even though it cause vast amounts of whingeing in the right wing press, at the time.

If you drive a car, you are responsible.

(Sorry, this isn't meant to be personal just towards you!)

Someone should tell the pedestrians where I live, they look at me like I'm insane when I stop for them.

On busy roads it's impossible, if you are turning right across a busy lane of traffic you are then stopped potentially blocking traffic both ways on the main road.

@Kat19899

I had motorbikes from 1992 (still do) and didn't do a car test until 2008. On my test, I had a left turn, where a couple was waiting to go, so I stopped and waved them over. After the test, the examiner asked me who had right of way and why I'd given way.

I said that pedestrians in the road have absolute right of way, but I thought that they might have stepped out, so exercised caution. He said that if I'd not stopped, he would have failed me -

I do not believe this at all.

So it’s the pedestrians’ fault there’s a traffic jam and pollution? I think I’ve heard it all now…. Thank god for ULEZ

This is why licence holders should be retested every 10 years, at their own expense. It’s ridiculous to pass age 17 as many do, and that’s it. I just walk out at junctions, when I’m on my own. My right of way.

Fluffypuppy1. Pesky pedestrians at fault for traffic congestion? It’s not excess private car drivers on the roads?

There are a lot of drivers out there who never had to take a theory test - I'm not sure exactly when it came in but I'm mid 50s and passed my test at 17, the examiner asked you a few theory questions. I'm not sure how you could introduce it retrospectively but it wouldn't be a bad idea.

Around us the pedestrians crossing side roads nearly always wait. When I was teaching the DCs to cross toads I hated it when drivers stopped and waved us over in case there was one coming the other way and not stopping. I think many drivers see a car indicating left for a road turning ahead of us and don't slow down enough, assuming it will be turning straight in because that's what nearly always happens whereas we should be assuming that the turning could be blocked and be ready to stop or go round the car just as we do when we see someone indicating to turn right.

Ohhh. When I looked this rule up before the test it said when turning from a main road into a side road only pedestrians already in the road have priority. But is it for all junctions and all turns into side roads that they have priority when still on the pavement? Sorry to sound dense, I did pass the test but clearly with the wrong info! As PP said, you’d have to be a shit driver to just mow them down. But I thought it was more about not kind of scaring them out of your way

Because it's a dangerous change. As a mostly pedestrian I cross when I think it's safe. I don't want cars stopping for me, that way accidents happen.

Also I used the official DVSA app to prep for the theory test so it’s not great if the rules aren’t very clear to new drivers 😅

I've just remembered I nearly had an argument with a driver who 'helpfully' stopped for me at a busy T junction. I was waiting for all the traffic to clear and didn't budge and they got pissed off at me. I still didn't move.

I will not be encouraging my kids to step out on a road until they see its clear. I don't care who has right of way it won't help if they're dead.

Ridiculous change, cars slamming in for people stepping into the road won't help anyone. Yes if a pedestrian is crossing stop as you always would. But encouraging people to cross here there anywhere is stupid.

I’m confused how many people talking about getting rear ended when they stop for someone crossing. So what? If they hit you it’s their fault. If you hit the pedestrian that’s your fault. The pedestrians life is worth more than your car so why aren’t people just following this rule and stop complaining about it?! Make the roads a safer place for all.

The pedestrian might know of the change, but not feel safe acting on it, hardly surprising.
The look they give you is probably one of pleasant surprise. Yes, pedestrians should be aware of the change, but many motorists don't seem to be, and that's a worry.

Please don’t stand close to the edge then because if a driver is following the Highway Code and sees you stood waiting to cross whether you like it or not they are doing the right thing by stopping.

Well said!

I give way to pedestrians as much as I can but it is frustrating when some people loiter on a corner and you’re not sure if they are planning on crossing or not.

I hate this rule change as a pedestrian.

So many drivers earnestly waving me into the road, and so many other oblivious drivers ready to plough me down for my troubles.

Me (7.5m pregnant) and a couple with a pram were crossing a local road when it was clear, and a moronic SUV driver whizzed into view and had to slam the breaks when he turned in and saw us. This is the really dangerous situation, and the new rule does nothing to solve it at all.

People do observe it though don't they? I do, I frequently did before it was an official rule. You don't have to whack the anchors on mid turn if you've approached the situation correctly, and no pedestrian ever, should step in front of a moving vehicle, regardless of priority because it's a poor survival strategy. Pedestrians can stop and look, drivers can stop and wait while they pass. If everyone does that all the time then no one gets run over.

If you're indicating to turn and someone still rear ends you then it's because you were being followed by an incompetent unobservant driver as interacting with pedestrians at side roads is a totally common and valid reason for someone to be stopping

@OneTC

People do observe it though don't they?

The thread is about drivers not doing so.

Because its dangerous why they think giving priority to the road user who can stop the quickest is safer baffles me.
I'm assuming the green cross code hasn't been updated to reflect the changes.