IT Garage Services highlights the important Highway Code rule changes in 2022.
You might not know it, but the Highway Code is set to change on January 29th 2022. There are eight new rules and 49 updates to existing rules being implemented. These are changes you will need to know to keep safe and on the right side of the law.
Among the changes is a new ‘Hierarchy of Road Users’. This will prioritise vulnerable road users, such as cyclists and pedestrians in this Highway Code Update.
Eight new rules are split up into rules H1, H2 and H3. See below for the most important aspects of the new Highway Code changes in 2022.
Rule H1 – The Hierarchy of Road Users
This new rule puts more responsibility of looking after more vulnerable road users on to the drivers of larger vehicles.
“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.”
This rule also stresses that all road users have a responsibility to ensure their own safety, as well as that of others.
Rule H2 – Give Way to Pedestrians
The second rule relates to drivers, motorbike riders, horse riders and cyclists and giving way to pedestrians. The new rule reads: ‘At a junction, you should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning.’
This means that if you are turning into a road and a pedestrian is waiting to cross, you should give way. This also includes cyclists travelling on shared use cycle lanes.
Rule H3 – Give Way To Riders and Cyclists
The next rule states: ‘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.’
In practice, this rule means that if you turning into a junction causes a cyclist or Horse rider to stop or swerve, you should instead wait until they pass.
Other Rules Introduced in the Highway Code Changes 2022
To further make clear that pedestrians have priority on the road. Several other new rules have been introduced in the Highway Code Update 2022. Cyclists are required to ‘take care when overtaking pedestrians and horses’ by slowing down and alerting them using their bells.
Cyclists are also now advised to ride in the centre of their lane. This is to make cyclists more visible on quiet roads or the approach to junctions.
Cyclists are also advised of a change when they are riding on faster moving or busy roads. They should leave enough space for drivers to overtake when it is safe for them to do so.
Under the new laws, it will become illegal to use your phone. You can’t take photos or videos, play games or scroll through your favourite playlists whilst driving.
You’ll still be able to use your phone for sat nav only if it is secured in a cradle. And you can use your phone to make a contactless payment while stationary at a drive-through/toll booth etc.
Drivers will of course still be allowed to make phone calls during an emergency but only if you need to call 999 and it’s not safe or practical to stop.
