Following the article in last month’s Parish Council Newsletter about near misses at the pedestrian crossing on Durban’s Road, I thought it would be helpful to reinforce that with a look at the “new” rules in the Highway Code that was updated in January 2022.
According to a recent study by AA Accident Assist, “a significant number of drivers are still unaware of the major changes to the Highway Code introduced in 2022”. The study found that 42% of motorists are disregarding a rule aimed at boosting safety for vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists.
The key update includes the ‘hierarchy of road users’, (see graphic right) which places more responsibility on drivers of vehicles that can cause the greatest harm. Despite these changes being in place for over two years, the study found that many drivers remain unaware or have not read the updated rules.
The following are a few extracts from the Highway Code on the Government Website relevant to the issues with the Durbans Road Crossing.
Hierarchy of Road Users
The ‘hierarchy of road users’ is a concept that places those road users most at risk in the event of a collision at the top of the hierarchy. The hierarchy does not remove the need for everyone to behave responsibly. The road users most likely to be injured in the event of a collision are pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders and motorcyclists, with children, older adults and disabled people being more at risk. The following H rules clarify this concept.
Rule H1
It is important that ALL road users are aware of The Highway Code, are considerate to other road users and understand their responsibility for the safety of others.
Everyone suffers when road collisions occur, whether they are physically injured or not. But 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.
Cyclists, horse riders and drivers of horse drawn vehicles likewise have a responsibility to reduce danger to pedestrians.
None of this detracts from the responsibility of ALL road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders, to have regard for their own and other road users’ safety.
Rule H2 – Rule for drivers, motorcyclists, horse drawn vehicles, horse riders and cyclists
At a junction you should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning.
You MUST give way to pedestrians on a zebra crossing, and to pedestrians and cyclists on a parallel crossing (see Rule 195).
Pedestrians have priority when on a zebra crossing, on a parallel crossing or at light controlled crossings when they have a green signal.
You should give way to pedestrians waiting to cross a zebra crossing, and to pedestrians and cyclists waiting to cross a parallel crossing.
Horse riders should also give way to pedestrians on a zebra crossing, and to pedestrians and cyclists
on a parallel crossing.
Cyclists should give way to pedestrians on shared use cycle tracks and to horse riders on bridleways.
Only pedestrians may use the pavement. Pedestrians include wheelchair and mobility scooter users.
Pedestrians may use any part of the road and use cycle tracks as well as the pavement, unless there are signs prohibiting pedestrians.
Rule H2: Wait for the pedestrian to cross the junction before turning. This applies if you are turning right or left into the junction.
