To remind people about Highway Code rule H2?

[auserna]

Because about 90% of drivers seem either to be unaware of it or just ignore it and, as a pedestrian, it's fucking irritating! I particularly object to being beeped at when I've already started crossing and a car subsequently swings round the corner.

"Rule H2 of the UK Highway Code mandates that drivers, motorcyclists, horse riders, and cyclists must give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which they are turning. This rule, introduced to enhance pedestrian safety at junctions, applies to both major and minor road turns."

I'd be interested to know who wasn't already aware of this.

If the pedestrian is already in the road, you should stop. And if you do not, you should not be driving.

I know about the rule but it's dangerous to stop on a main road to allow a pedestrian across when they are staring down at their phone and completely oblivious to the traffic around them.

How is it dangerous? If you are driving on a main road and about to turn into a side street, you should be slowing down and signalling. If other cars, cyclists or pedestrians have right away and you turning in will cut across their path, you should be stopping. If you cannot do that. You should not be behind the wheel of a car.

The dangerous person in this scenario is you. The person who does not how to safely manoeuvre or stop.

Read the OP. It doesn't say only when they're already in the road. It says if they're waiting to cross.

What? I’ll obviously stop if they are crossing the road but I’m not grinding to a halt if they’re still on the pavement waiting to cross (staring at their phone).

If they are clearly about the step into the road, which is what the rule clarifies, they have right of way and you should be slowing to a stop. Exactly the same as if they are already in the road.

Why would you not do this? I assume you slow as you approach and amber light about to turn red? Or if you see someone about to step onto a zebra crossing?

In these scenarios you are on road where the speed is 20mph or 30mph. You should also be slowing before making the turn. You do not turn at full speed into a side street.

I know. I made a minor typo on my phone.

The point still stands. The pedestrian has right of way in this situation.

Sadly, this appears to be true.

I don't drive and I HATE this rule. I respect that it will offer more protection to a lot of pedestrians, but I want to wait. I don't trust the rule. I don't even like it when someone waves me across - there are cars, etc., coming the other way, I don't want to stand in the middle, and I don't want to burst into a trot with my dodgy knee and ankles, but also did you wave me across is is there a fly in your car, or are you gesturing to your own internal monologue, when the sun is hitting your windscreen I can't tell if you can see me... My grievance list is long. If I get to a corner and I look left and right and I can see a car waiting to turn across me then I check the traffic and if they're about to get a window to make their turn then I get out my phone and turn away from the crossing until they've done their bit.

How long have you been driving?

Its not new.

I'm a pedestrian. I hate this rule and ignore it.

I don't want cars to slow down and make my crossing harder. I wait for them to all be out of the way before I move. I've had a couple of drivers get shitty with me at busy junctions but I refuse to risk my safety crossing between cars.

And that's OK, it has taken you one or two nanoseconds to frantically wave. Eventually they get it and cross the road, and you've averted a nasty accident.

it can take years for changes to the Highway Code to actually get into common use and people's consciousness. Until then it's about more people reinforcing the Code to get it into use.

I noticed how quickly cars changed to give me a wider 1.5 M margin when I'm cycling, which was also a recent change in the Highway Code. it was almost overnight, so for some rules it seems to stick more than others.

dud same! When it's busy and I notice a driver slowing down for me I just think fuck 'em and step back and pretend I'm looking at my phone. I wait for the drivers to go then cross when it's safe.

Yes as a pedestrian I would rather wait until the road is clear so I understand that

Should paint zebra crossings at every junction. Would be obvious for everyone then.

Why on earth should pedestrians get right of way on a road when it's drivers who pay the bloody road tax?!

Anyway I've never heard of the rule so they're not doing a very good job of making drivers aware.

Just as it’s dangerous to stop when you are turning right into side road and there is oncoming traffic

If you are approaching a left hand turn, you might be able to see there's someone waiting to cross the side road from the side you're approaching from, but the car behind you can't so will likely assume you're going to sweep straight round and not decelerate and risks ploughing into the back of you. I know stopping distance etc but we're talking reality here, not theory. In the end, if the aim is to avoid the most accidents for all,I still think it's safer for pedestrians to wait.

No, it's not new. I believe they just adjusted the wording slightly.

So pedestrians have always had right of way, not that you'd think that from the number of cars that don't stop when you're clearly waiting to cross.

What a stinky and selfish attitude. Besides pedestrians also pay “road tax” through council tax.

Yes Im always worried about this, someone went into the back of me once (not in this context) and its always made me wary since.

Well given that road tax was abolished in 1937 perhaps it's you who should make more effort to keep yourself aware. Or do you expect someone to come round and personally read the Highway Code to you?

I can't recall how it was worded, but I did my test in 1987 and it was there then.

Then that driver is driving way too close. Can’t blame the pedestrian for their incompetence.