The code recommends a new technique when exiting vehicles. It is sometimes called „Dutch Reach“. The code has been updated to clarify that when entering or exiting a side street, cyclists must yield the right of way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross the street. Much of the code is actually supported by statutes and it is easy to say which ones because they use the explicit terms „shall“ or „cannot“. There are new guidelines in the code about routes and spaces shared by people walking, biking and riding horses. The Departmental Committee for the Regulation of Motor Vehicles announced in 1920 that „a mandatory and uniform signal code for all road vehicles should come into force“. [2] London drivers had developed a system to signal their intention to turn right or stop with their arm, which was considered so beneficial that it needed to be mandatory and standardised as a code of conduct across the country. The code allowed the driver to use their own arm or dummy arm – which had obvious advantages in wet weather for drivers with the luxury of an enclosed cab or for drivers with left-hand drive vehicles, as in imported American cars. The intention to introduce the mandatory code was delayed, and in subsequent years the code was expanded to include whip signals for horse-drawn vehicles and signals for police officers controlling intersections. The history of the Highway Code dates back to before the first road legislation, the Road Traffic Act 1930, and was published to give motorists advice on the use of traffic lights. For the first time, the Code provides guidance on the use of charging stations for electric vehicles. The code has been updated to clarify that people who operate or operate motorcycles should give priority to people travelling on roundabouts. The new guidelines will state that persons who operate a motorcycle and/or operate a motorcycle should: Although failure to comply with other rules of law does not in itself result in prosecution, the Highway Traffic Act may be used as evidence in any legal proceeding under the Highway Traffic Act (see The Highway Traffic User and the Act), to establish liability.

This includes rules that use advisory phrases such as „should/should not“ or „not/not“. The Code recommends that people who cycle act as if they were driving a vehicle in which there are no separate cycling facilities. This includes positioning themselves in the middle of the chosen path where they can feel safe. That is, motorcyclists and motorcyclists must not run over cyclists, horseback riders or horse-drawn vehicles when entering or exiting an intersection or changing direction or lane (just as they would not turn in the path of another motor vehicle). The code states: „Do not turn at an intersection if it would stop or swerve by [the weakest road user] who is driving straight.“ This applies not only if the weakest road user is on the road, but also if they are on a cycle path or cycle path. If you do not comply with the other rules of the Code, it can be used as evidence in legal proceedings to establish liability. Some rules of the Highway Traffic Act are legal requirements and are indicated by the words „shall“ or „may not“ in bold red font. In such cases, the rules shall also contain references to the relevant legislation. Depending on the seriousness of the offence, offenders may be warned, fined, banned from driving or imprisoned. Although failure to comply with other regulations does not in itself result in criminal prosecution of anyone, the Highway Traffic Act may be invoked in court under the Road Traffic Act 1988 to establish liability.

These include advisory rules with the phrases „should“ and „should not“ or „do“ (or merely mandatory) and „do not“. The last official printed version of the Highway Traffic Act is the one that is in effect at all times, but in court proceedings, the version in effect at the time of the incident applies. It appears that the changes to the code will come into force long before most drivers are informed. This awareness issue is one of the main concerns related to the government`s recent plans to revise the code, which will come into force in early 2022. The code already explained that people cycling, horseback riding and a horse-drawn cart can remain in the left lane of a roundabout if they intend to continue above or around the roundabout. The updated code confirms that people using the bike can go through slower or stationary traffic on the right or left. The Code specifies that persons driving straight at an intersection have priority over traffic waiting to enter or exit a secondary road, unless signs or road markings indicate otherwise. It is not a legal document and its rules are not official traffic laws.

It contains 307 regulations, and violation of many of them can result in penalties. The code now includes tips for cyclists using intersections where signs and markings tell them to turn right in 2 steps. These are: The official introduction of the Highway Code was one of the provisions of the Road Traffic Act 1930. The first edition of the code, which cost a penny, was published on April 14, 1931. It contained 21 pages of advice, including gun signals to be given by drivers and police officers controlling traffic. [4] The second edition, considerably expanded, appeared in 1934 and illustrated road signs for the first time. During the preparation, the Ministry of Transportation consulted with the pedestrian association. [5] The updated Code explains that people who pedal in groups: The Code continues to prescribe rules designed to give cyclists, riders and horse-drawn carts more space on the roads in general – give way when in doubt.

In 1923, a penny pamphlet was published by His Majesty`s Stationery Office and approved by the Home Office (and Scottish Office). This brochure, entitled Traffic Lights for Police and Vehicle Drivers, was born out of discussions between the police and the Motorists` Association. [3] In the years that followed, the code was not only promoted by automobile associations, but also popularized with posters from the National Safety First Association (which continued this work after being renamed the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents in 1936). READ MORE: You can be fined if you get out of an ambulance`s lane, so avoid it READ MORE: Roundabouts – how to manage them and pass your test The Highway Code states: „You MUST make sure you don`t hit anyone when you open your door. Check for cyclists or other vehicles. Curiously, between 2011 and 2015, 3,108 collisions were reported where a „negligently opened or closed vehicle door“ was recorded as a factor in police incidents. We are probably more likely to say that we are the victim than the author of this No No traffic code, but it is regularly not followed. „In the most serious cases, you can go to jail.“ Sign or not, motorists are never advised to park on these restrictions. Learn more about where you can and can`t park with our handy guide. We are all aware of the legal obligation to be smart and keep our hands well away from our mobile phones while controlling our vehicles. But how many distractions from the rules of the road are we impeccable? If persons or occupants of a vehicle are able to do so, they must open the door with their hand on the opposite side of the door they are opening. For example, with the left hand to open a door on the right.

This is the law and you could be subject to a notice of a firm fine if you get caught, leave a comment below if this has happened to you. For the rest of the rules, if you do not comply, you may not be directly liable for a fine, prosecution or disqualification, but the text of the rules can be used in court as evidence of a violation. „The points supported by the law are clearly identified in the document by formulations such as `SHALL`, `SHALL NOT` instead of `should` or `should not`. Some of the points described in the Code are supported by the official Highway Code, which means that you can be fined, prosecuted or disqualified if you ignore them. „Failure to comply with the other rules of the Code shall not directly result in a fine, prosecution or disqualification. However, references to these questions have been included, as residents of Northern Ireland who wish to visit Britain may find them useful. The hierarchy places the most vulnerable road users at the top of the hierarchy in the event of a collision. This does not eliminate the need for everyone to behave responsibly. Added tips to explain that drivers should be very careful when entering a roundabout to ensure they do not encounter people on bicycles, horses or horses in the left lane around the roundabout. There are also new guidelines for cyclists at intersections without separate facilities. It states: „You should not run over cyclists, horseback riders or horse-drawn vehicles when entering or exiting an intersection or changing direction or lane.“ The Code was first introduced in 1931 and will be updated regularly, including in 2022, to improve the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.

You need to stop and, if necessary, wait for a safe gap in the flow of cyclists. This also applies to cyclists: the law prohibits us from crossing double white lines in the middle of the road where the line closest to us is fixed. How often do you see drivers striving or even swerving into the opposite lane? The most significant change to the highway code is a new „road user hierarchy“ or pyramid, which ranks road users according to the danger they pose to others.