Changes to the Highway Code

The Highway Code changes on 29 January. 

Many of the changes focus on the safety of vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians and who gets priority. There are too many to list in this blog but below are some which have attracted attention in the media.

• Vulnerable road users. This list is now called a ‘hierarchy of road users and is a list of those road users most likely to be injured in a collision. The list has been changed and includes pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders, and motorcyclists, with children, older adults, and disabled people being more at risk. There is also a reminder that all road users, including those who are vulnerable, have a duty to behave responsibly.

• Priority at junctions. Previously, a driver turning into a road only had to give way if a pedestrian had already started to cross that road. Now pedestrians get priority and the driver must give way even if the pedestrian is only waiting to cross the road. 

• Cycle paths. Cyclists should give way to pedestrians on shared-use cycle tracks and to horse riders on bridleways.

Failing to comply with the Highway Code is not always a criminal offense, but not following the rules can be used as evidence if you are prosecuted for a driving offense, so it would be a good idea to get familiar with the new Code. There’s a link to the list of changes here.

Table of changes to The Highway Code (publishing.service.gov.uk)

The contents of this article do not constitute legal advice and are provided for general information purposes only.