More than half of drivers are still unsure of crucial changes that were made to the Highway Code to make the roads safer for pedestrians, RAC figures show.
Some of the changes, which came into play two years ago, include giving way to pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders who are either crossing or waiting to cross a road.
According to the RAC, this new rule was part of a new hierarchy of road users designed to improve the safety of the most vulnerable. But worryingly, only a fifth (18%) of drivers believe the new rules have increased pedestrian safety, and a third (31%) think pedestrians face even greater danger at junctions since the measures were published.
Research from the RAC’s Report on Motoring, published to coincide with the hierarchy’s second anniversary, suggests the reason for the confusion is the message simply hasn’t got through to drivers.
While Highway Code Rule 170 states drivers should give way to pedestrians when turning in or out of junctions, less than a quarter (23%) of drivers say they always do. Nearly half (48%) say they give way most of the time but alarmingly, a fifth (19%) admit they don’t stop very often, while 6% never do.
RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis said:
“When initially introduced, we welcomed the major Highway Code changes because they were set to make the roads much safer for the most vulnerable users.
“However, two years on, it’s concerning to see there’s still so much uncertainty, with most drivers not stopping for people crossing when they should and therefore many pedestrians seeing no change to their safety at junctions.
“The updates are only as good as a universal understanding of them. If a driver turns into a junction as a pedestrian is crossing, it’s already too late, because that’s when confusion could turn into a collision.”
When the same pool of respondents were asked by the RAC if, as pedestrians, they notice other drivers stopping to give way, just 2% said they see others stop all the time, while two-thirds (65%) said drivers rarely or never stop for them.
The findings correlate with a report from the Government’s Public Accounts Committee which, in November 2023, declared that messaging around the changes had not been communicated effectively enough to encourage public participation.
Drivers’ confidence in the 2022 rules also differs significantly between young and more experienced motorists. Over a third (37%) of drivers aged 17 to 24 believe the changes have made the roads safer for vulnerable users, whereas just 13% of those aged 65+ agree with them.
The RAC is now urging drivers to revise the changes to the Highway Code, by visiting the Highway Code or RAC websites, or by picking up a printed copy.
Highway Code changes
The Highway Code implemented changes in 2022 to give pedestrians and cyclists more priority on the road. The rules include the following:
- Drivers no longer have priority at junctions
- All traffic must stop for pedestrians waiting at crossings
- Cyclists can ride wherever they feel most visible
- Drivers must wait for a safe gap in the flow of cyclists
- All uses of hand-held mobiles are banned, except in an emergency
Further reading
Driver and passenger claims – Oakwood Solicitors
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