Feedback : 2 year old law junctions

[mjr]

Those new rules in full:

Hierarchy of Road Users

The ‘Hierarchy of Road Users’ is a concept that places those road users most
at risk in the event of a collision at the top of the hierarchy. The hierarchy does
not remove the need for everyone to behave responsibly. The road users most
likely to be injured in the event of a collision are pedestrians, cyclists, horse
riders and motorcyclists, with children, older adults and disabled people being
more at risk. The following H rules clarify this concept.

Rule H1
It is important that ALL road users are aware of The Highway Code, are
considerate to other road users and understand their responsibility for the
safety of others.
Everyone suffers when road collisions occur, whether they are physically
injured or not. But those in charge of vehicles that can cause the greatest harm
in the event of a collision bear the greatest responsibility to take care and
reduce the danger they pose to others. This principle applies most strongly to
drivers of large goods and passenger vehicles, vans/minibuses, cars/taxis and
motorcycles.
Cyclists, horse riders and drivers of horse drawn vehicles likewise have a
responsibility to reduce danger to pedestrians.
None of this detracts from the responsibility of ALL road users, including
pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders, to have regard for their own and other
road users’ safety.
Always remember that the people you encounter may have impaired sight,
hearing or mobility and that this may not be obvious.

Rule H2

Rule for drivers, motorcyclists, horse drawn vehicles, horse riders and
cyclists

At a junction you should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a
road into which or from which you are turning.
You MUST give way to pedestrians on a zebra crossing, and to pedestrians
and cyclists on a parallel crossing (see Rule 195).
Pedestrians have priority when on a zebra crossing, on a parallel crossing or at
light controlled crossings when they have a green signal.
You should give way to pedestrians waiting to cross a zebra crossing, and to
pedestrians and cyclists waiting to cross a parallel crossing.
Horse riders should also give way to pedestrians on a zebra crossing, and to
pedestrians and cyclists on a parallel crossing.
Cyclists should give way to pedestrians on shared use cycle tracks and to
horse riders on bridleways.
Only pedestrians may use the pavement. Pedestrians include wheelchair and
mobility scooter users.
Pedestrians may use any part of the road and use cycle tracks as well as the
pavement, unless there are signs prohibiting pedestrians.
Laws TSRGD Schedule 14 part 1 and part 5 & HA 1835 sect 72, R(S)A 1984,
sect 129 & Countryside Act 1968 Sect 1 part 30

Rule H3

Rule for drivers and motorcyclists

You should not cut across cyclists, horse riders or horse drawn vehicles going
ahead when you are turning into or out of a junction or changing direction or
lane, just as you would not turn across the path of another motor vehicle. This
applies whether they are using a cycle lane, a cycle track, or riding ahead on
the road and you should give way to them.
Do not turn at a junction if to do so would cause the cyclist, horse rider or horse
drawn vehicle going straight ahead to stop or swerve.
You should stop and wait for a safe gap in the flow of cyclists if necessary. This
includes when cyclists are:
• approaching, passing or moving off from a junction
• moving past or waiting alongside stationary or slow-moving traffic
• travelling around a roundabout

Rules for cyclists:

New Rule 63
Sharing space with pedestrians, horse riders and horse drawn vehicles.
When riding in places where sharing with pedestrians, horse riders or horse
drawn vehicles is permitted, take care when passing pedestrians and horse
riders, especially children, older adults or disabled people. Slow down when
necessary and let them know you are there; for example, by ringing your bell (it
is recommended that a bell is fitted to your bike), or by calling out politely.
Remember that pedestrians may be deaf, blind or partially sighted and that this
may not be obvious.
Do not pass pedestrians, horse riders or horse drawn vehicles closely or at
high speed, particularly from behind. You should not pass a horse on their left.
Remember that horses can be startled if passed without warning. Always be
prepared to slow down and stop when necessary.

New Rule 72
Road positioning. When riding on the roads, there are two basic road
positions you should adopt, depending on the situation.
1. Ride in the centre of your lane, to make yourself as clearly visible as
possible, in the following situations:
• on quiet roads or streets – if a faster vehicle comes up behind you,
move to the left to enable them to overtake, if you can do so safely
• in slower-moving traffic - when the traffic around you starts to flow
more freely, move over to the left if you can do so safely so that
faster vehicles behind you can overtake
• at the approach to junctions or road narrowings where it would be
unsafe for drivers to overtake you
2. When riding on busy roads, with vehicles moving faster than you, allow them
to overtake where it is safe to do so whilst keeping at least 0.5 metres away,
and further where it is safer, from the kerb edge. Remember that traffic on
most dual carriageways moves quickly. Take extra care crossing slip roads.

New Rule 73
Junctions. Some junctions, particularly those with traffic lights, have special
cycle facilities, including small cycle traffic lights at eye-level height, which may
allow you to move or cross separately from or ahead of other traffic. Use these
facilities where they make your journey safer and easier.
At junctions with no separate cyclist facilities, it is recommended that you
proceed as if you were driving a motor vehicle (see Rules 170 to 190). Position
yourself in the centre of your chosen lane, where you feel able to do this safely,
to make yourself as visible as possible and to avoid being overtaken where this
would be dangerous. If you do not feel safe to proceed in this way, you may
prefer to dismount and wheel your bike across the junction.

New Rule 75
Two Stage Turns. At some signal-controlled junctions there may be signs and
markings informing cyclists to turn right in two stages:
Stage 1: When the traffic lights turn green, cyclists wishing to make the turn
should go straight ahead to the location marked by a cycle symbol and turn
arrow on the carriageway; then stop and wait there
Stage 2: When the traffic lights on the far side of the junction, now facing the
cyclists, turn green, they should then complete the manoeuvre

New Rule 76
Going straight ahead. If you are going straight ahead at a junction, you have
priority over traffic waiting to turn into or out of the side road, unless road signs
or markings indicate otherwise (see Rule H3). Check that you can proceed
safely, particularly when approaching junctions on the left alongside stationary
or slow-moving traffic. Watch out for drivers intending to turn across your path.
Remember the driver ahead may not be able to see you, so bear in mind your
speed and position in the road.
Take great care when deciding whether it is safe to pass stationary or slow-
moving lorries and other long vehicles, especially at the approach to junctions,
as their drivers may not be able to see you. Remember that they may have to
move over to the right before turning left, and that their rear wheels may then
come very close to the kerb while turning (see Rule 67).

[Jdsk]

Are they all reporting accurately or sensationally and anti cyclist?

Coverage in the Guardian has seemed sensible.

And today they have a piece mythbusting what's appeared elsewhere:
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/20 ... -will-mean

Jonathan

[Psamathe]

For a very detailed level, a "differences" between old and new from Gov. web site. Maybe a bit detailed but it does highlight all the changes clearly so you can see everything that has changed
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... y-code.pdf

Ian

[mjr]

For a very detailed level, a "differences" between old and new from Gov. web site. Maybe a bit detailed but it does highlight all the changes clearly so you can see everything that has changed
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... y-code.pdf

Linked in my earlier post (currently bottom of the previous page). I thought others might like something between the very short newspaper summaries and the full 29-page list.

[Bonefishblues]

Are they all reporting accurately or sensationally and anti cyclist?

Mostly sensationally and wildly inaccurate.

That is why I was so insistent that a change like these needs a comms lead-in, you will recall.

It does nobody any good to see things misrepresented, either because of agenda or ignorance, because it means there's an extra mountain to climb.

[mattheus]

Well it's done now.

I'd rather be riding my bike than taking pot-shots at the past from my armchair.

I'm happy that the new version is an improvement, whether it was well publicised/promoted/promulgated or not.

[mjr]

So, that summary is still far too long for an infographic. Has anyone seen a good one yet?

What would be a better short summary? I offer this:

What's Really Changing in the Highway Code?

· Three new rules at the start:
⋄ H1 - All road users have responsibility for safety and "those in charge of vehicles that can cause the greatest harm in the event of a collision bear the greatest responsibility to take care and reduce the danger they pose to others". Not only large goods vehicles to everyone else, but cyclists have greater responsibility than walkers.
⋄ H2 - basically, everyone else should give way to walkers, walkers may use any bit of a road unless specifically banned and only walkers may use the pavement.
⋄ H3 - drivers should not cut across cyclists or horse riders, even if they are on a cycle track.

· 3 clarified rules on overtaking: give cyclists 1.5m+ at 30mph (and more when faster), horses 2m+ at max 10mph and walkers 2m+ at low speed.

· 10 updated and clarified rules on crossings to say:
⋄ give way to walkers, riders and cyclists continuing straight ahead when turning or changing lane (even if they are on a pavement or track);
⋄ don't overtake them immediately before a junction where you will turn;
⋄ don't enter a crossing unless you can completely clear it.

· Updated rule on getting out of cars (look behind you before/as you open a door) and not leaving charging cables to trip people up.

· 12 updated and 5 new rules on how to cycle, including riding centrally in narrow lanes, two-stage right turns and roundabouts.

[mjr]

Are they all reporting accurately or sensationally and anti cyclist?

Mostly sensationally and wildly inaccurate.

That is why I was so insistent that a change like these needs a comms lead-in, you will recall.

And if you recall, I didn't disagree, but felt it would have been lost in the noise of pre-Christmas advertising, plus that there was still time then for MPs to block the changes. It is disappointing that there still seems to be no sign of it now with only one week to go, and the lies being put out by the motoring lobby seem to be left unchallenged by DafT.

On a surprisingly balanced item on BBC Breakfast 07:15-07:24 this morning, the AA's president did mention that DafT's THINK road safety adverts will start a few weeks after the changes take effect.

It does nobody any good to see things misrepresented, either because of agenda or ignorance, because it means there's an extra mountain to climb.

Surely the ABD and friends feel this is doing them good?

[RickH]

This is the question in parliament & subsequent answer about publicity regarding the highway code changes

(Click to enlarge)

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?i ... g105633.r0

[thirdcrank]

IMO one of the problems with the HC is when people treat it as strict prescription to everybody else but take it or leave it for themselves.

[mjr]

IMO one of the problems with the HC is when people treat it as strict prescription to everybody else but take it or leave it for themselves.

That's great but do you feel these revisions make this more or less likely and how?

[thirdcrank]

I'm not suggesting that this revision makes any change, but the ill-informed media coverage being discussed above and similar on social media may have that effect.

[Jdsk]

This is the question in parliament & subsequent answer about publicity regarding the highway code changes

Publicity re HC changes.png
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?i ... g105633.r0

Thanks. Sounds sensible. We'll see.

Jonathan

[Bonefishblues]

Mostly sensationally and wildly inaccurate.

That is why I was so insistent that a change like these needs a comms lead-in, you will recall.

And if you recall, I didn't disagree, but felt it would have been lost in the noise of pre-Christmas advertising, plus that there was still time then for MPs to block the changes. It is disappointing that there still seems to be no sign of it now with only one week to go, and the lies being put out by the motoring lobby seem to be left unchallenged by DafT.

On a surprisingly balanced item on BBC Breakfast 07:15-07:24 this morning, the AA's president did mention that DafT's THINK road safety adverts will start a few weeks after the changes take effect.

It does nobody any good to see things misrepresented, either because of agenda or ignorance, because it means there's an extra mountain to climb.

Surely the ABD and friends feel this is doing them good?

You are probably aware that I also post on Motoring Forums. The reception there has been anything other than hostile tbh. I think the ABD is a marginal group at best.

Even the actions of a famous camera-wielding cyclist are broadly welcomed, albeit there are often comments about the style in which he goes about things.

Honestly, we exaggerate the differences at our peril, because there's a lot more in common than is realised IMHO.

[Tangled Metal]

Are they all reporting accurately or sensationally and anti cyclist?

Coverage in the Guardian has seemed sensible.

And today they have a piece mythbusting what's appeared elsewhere:
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/20 ... -will-mean

Jonathan

Saw that right after posting here. Google algorithms probably detected my post!