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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Danya Bazaraa

Motorists fight back against Highway Code changes that mean 'drivers are being blamed'

Motorists are fighting back against new changes to the Highway Code saying the updates will result in drivers being blamed.

A major revamp of the Highway Code to boost protection for cyclists and pedestrians came into force on Saturday amid concern that millions of drivers are unaware of the changes.

The new guidance means traffic should give way when pedestrians are crossing or waiting to cross at junctions.

Cyclists are advised to ride in the centre of lanes on quieter roads, in slower-moving traffic, and when approaching junctions, to make themselves as visible as possible.

A hierarchy of road users has also been introduced, meaning someone driving will have more responsibility to watch out for people cycling, walking, or riding a horse, and cyclists will have more responsibility to be aware of pedestrians.

But the Alliance of British Drivers, FairFuelUK and Motorcycle Action Group, operating under Voters For Motors, are reportedly meeting today to formulate a plan to scrap the new rules.

New rules within the Highway Code (PA Graphic: Source Department for Transport)

They said they cyclists being encouraged to undertake and overtake vehicles 'will cause more crashes'.

A spokesman for ABD told the Daily Mail: "Our concerns over the Highway Code include the fact that encouraging the undertaking and overtaking of vehicles intending to turn by cyclists will cause more crashes that drivers will be blamed for under the new ''hierarchy of road users''.'

The Highway Code contains advice and rules for people on Britain's roads.

Nine sections have been updated, with 50 rules added or amended.

The changes are advisory, so non-compliance will not result in a fine.

Some of the changes that have come info effect (PA Graphic: Source Department for Transport)

AA president Edmund King expressed concern at the potential impact of the guidance to give way to pedestrians at junctions.

He suggested that drivers are "likely to get hit by another vehicle from behind" if they stop on dual carriageways or fast-flowing A roads to let someone cross.

He also warned that pedestrians could be endangered if one vehicle gives way but another travelling in the opposite direction fails to stop.

"Drivers will have to make their own judgments on what they should do in the scenarios they find themselves in," Mr King told the PA news agency.

"However, if the judgments of the driver and the pedestrian are at odds on a very busy road, this could lead to problems."

The rules are meant to protect cyclists more (file photo) (PA)

Asked later about how the changes are going, Mr King earlier said: "It is quite interesting because obviously it was introduced today and it is quite difficult to ascertain."

He also said it is "early days" and "not everybody knows about the changes".

But he added: "We have had no reports from our patrols or driving instructors of anything going drastically wrong.

"Many of these changes are already just common sense and courtesy."

Mr King described how he had personally been out on a bicycle, in a car and on foot on Saturday, saying: "On each occasion, the particular right of way did seem to work.

A new hierarchy of road users (PA Graphic: Source Department for Transport)

"The truck gave way to me and when I was on a cycle I gave way to pedestrians in the road."

An AA survey of more than 13,700 drivers carried out earlier this month indicated that 33% were unaware of the changes, including 4% who had "no intention" of looking at the details.

RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes warned that the "substantial" changes carry a risk of sparking "angry clashes and, worse still, unnecessary collisions" unless all road users are aware of them.

He added: "Nobody wants to be on the right side of the Highway Code changes but in the back of an ambulance because of confusion on the part of a driver or any other road user."

A communications drive will be launched by the Department for Transport's road safety offshoot Think! in mid-February, with further activity later in the summer.

Roads minister Baroness Vere said this week that the updated Highway Code will make Britain's roads safer and encourage people to "respect and consider the needs of those around them".

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the new instructions for road users will "help us make London the best city in the world to walk and cycle".

Charity Cycling UK said the changes must be "communicated with simple, accurate and memorable messaging".

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