There has been a big reaction to the changes in the Highway Code effective from 29/1/2022.
Much of this is due to misunderstanding or misrepresentation of the changes.
First of all, the Highway Code is what it says, a Code of behaviour and the rules outlined in it are not official road laws. However, many of the rules in the code are legal requirements, and if you disobey these rules you’re committing a criminal offence.
If you do not follow the other rules in the code, it can be used in evidence in court proceedings to establish liability.
The Governments official web site gives the facts of the eight changes you need to know although ten sections of the Code have been updated and fifty rules added or changed.
The overall emphasis is the Heirarchy of road users. It places those road users most at risk in the event of a collision at the top but does not remove the need for everyone to behave responsibly.
As such it doesn't alter the rules of common sense that we should all have been using but spells out some of the detail.
At a pedestrian level, we don't go barging through a crowd but make allowances for old folk or the disabled. Its the same on the road, if you are bigger, faster, or encased in steel you should avoid colliding with other users who are vulnerable .
People crossing the road at junctions.
When people are crossing the road at a junction, other traffic should give way. If people have started crossing and traffic wants to turn into the road, the traffic should give way.
Walking , cycling or horse riding in shared spaces
This hasn't attracted much furore in the press because it doesn't affect vociferous motorists, but it is one of the new rules directed at cyclists. They must not pass other users too closely or at speed, especially from behind, and they should let people walking know they are there (e.g. by ringing their bell)
Positioning in the road when cycling
There is updated guidance for people cycling about positioning themselves.
This has created a lot of misunderstanding by not reading all the words.
Riding in the centre of their lane. NOT riding in the centre of the road, (so that they are more visible)and only on quiet roads , slower moving traffic and at the approach to junctions or road narrowings
Keeping at least half a metre from the kerb edge when riding on busy roads (to reduce the need to swerve out because of poor road conditions)
The code emphasises that groups of cyclists should be considerate of others but explains when cyclists CAN ride two abreast.
Cyclists should also allow people driving behind them to overtake. (I know my own club will often pull into a farm gateway or some other layby to relieve traffic congestion)
Overtaking
drivers may cross a double white line if necessary to overtake a cyclist or horserider (but it doesn't say you can to pass another road vehicle). Guidance is given on leaving at least 1.5 metres when passing cyclists and 2.00 metres when passing horses or pedestrians in the road.
Cyclists may pass stationary or slow moving traffic on either side but must be cautious as the driver may not see them.
Roundabouts There is clarification about motorcycles passing cyclists on roundabouts and generally clarifying positioning on such junctions.
Parking and leaving vehicles
This change is to emphasise the need to look behind when opening a door and recommends using the 'Dutch Reach' covered in this paper a few months ago.