There were some noteworthy changes to the Highway Code in early 2022 that many drivers may still not be aware of. It’s important for road users to be aware of the most up-to-date Highway Code practices to ensure the maximum safety of everyone on our roads.
The changes from the latest Highway Code update impact drivers in different kinds of vehicles, as well as pedestrians and cyclists, so the changes are essential to know. Read on to learn more about the changes and consider the following questions:
Do your drivers understand the changes?
Have you given them training on the updated Highway Code?
What are the 2022 Highway Code changes?
Here are a couple of rule changes:
Rule H1: The updated hierarchy of road users. *
Under the updated code, the greatest responsibility for taking care and minimising the danger to others belongs to those who drive vehicles that could cause the most harm if a collision were to occur.
Rule H2: Priority for pedestrians at junctions. *
When arriving at a junction, all drivers, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders should give way when they see a pedestrian waiting to cross or crossing into a road that they are turning into.
Rule H3: Priority for cyclists when cars are turning. *
Cars should not cut across cyclists, horse riders or horse-drawn vehicles that are going ahead when you are turning into or out of a junction or changing lane or direction. Never turn at a junction if doing so would necessitate the cyclist, horse rider or horse-drawn vehicle to swerve or stop. It is your responsibility to stop and wait until there is a safe gap in the flow of cyclists.
Concerns about awareness of the Highway Code changes
But what do these changes mean in practice? Our trainers are finding that lots of drivers are not aware of the changes and have had no communication from their employer. If they are aware of the changes, they often don’t understand what they mean in practice.
Conclusion
If you manage a fleet of vehicles, you need to ensure your drivers are fully aware of the changes to the Highway Code.
There have been concerns that communication about these recent changes has been inadequate but the information is available and we can help.
We have produced an e-learning module that you can use to communicate the changes to your driers, here is a section of the video:
Contact
For more information or to get access to the full video please contact us:
0333 772 1772
*Sections used from the Highway Code under the government open licence agreement.
