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Highway Code changes for 2022
On 29 January 2022, the Highway Code was updated with a short grace period. The changes to the rules affect driver priority, pedestrian and cyclist rights of way. New rules also apply to mobile phone use behind the wheel. There are changes to the fines that could be issued for poor or dangerous driving.
Here’s a quick look at the main changes to the Highway Code
- At a junction, if someone is ready or preparing to cross the road they actually have right of way. This includes a pedestrian, cyclist, horse-rider, or scooter. Drivers no longer have priority at junctions. Previously as a motorist, you had priority unless the other road user was half of the way across the junction already. If something happens the fault now automatically lies with those ‘who can do the greatest harm’ unless it is proven otherwise. Incidents could affect your insurance and even lead to a fine or penalty points if considered serious enough.
- At a zebra crossing a motorist, cyclist, or horse rider (all traffic) is now legally required to stop if pedestrians are waiting to cross and not just slow on approach and stop if someone is already crossing. If you are reported by a pedestrian after failing to stop you may receive a fine or points on your license.
Rules applying to Cyclists
- Cyclists were previously mandated to ride on the left and use lights at night time. They were advised to wear visible clothing and a helmet. Now there is a requirement for cyclists to ride no less than half a metre from the verge or kerb and ‘further where it is safer’. This means they can ride where they feel most visible and therefore might be further out in the road than we’ve seen before. Motorists must leave 1.5 metres of space to pass a cyclist up to 30 mph which more distance as speed is increased. Cyclists should love to the left on quieter roads, in slow traffic and whilst navigating busy junctions to make it easier for motorists to overtake safely. These greater powers are designed to protect cyclists so there be more of an effort by police to charge offenders with a fine or penalty points if a cyclist captures evidence of the rules being broken – for example with a head camera.
- Cyclists are to be considered like another motor vehicle and motorists are expected to apply the same level of caution and consideration to cyclists as they would to a motor vehicle. Drivers must wait for a safe gap in the flow of cyclists. Turning in such a way that ‘cuts across’ a cyclist’s right of way is now advised against whereas before, the rules did not explicitly ask for drivers to treat cyclists as though they were another vehicle. Motorists are legally required to give way and failing to do so could result in a £70 fine.
The use of mobile phones
- All use of hand-held mobile phones is banned – except in an emergency situation. Since December 2003 it has been illegal to call and text on a mobile phone but the rule didn’t specify other actions on a mobile phone which have now been addressed in this update. Even if your vehicle isn’t moving, as a driver you are prohibited from using a handheld device for anything. This includes taking a photo or video, scrolling through playlists or playing games. Phones can still be used for hands-free calls, sat nav or payment at tolls/booths but they must be securely fixed within the vehicle. This is probably the most obvious and long-awaited update to the code. Distracted driving is the second leading cause of collisions, after drunk driving. The penalties introduced originally in 2017 could leave you with a £200 fine and six points on your license if you are caught touching your mobile device during a journey.
Power to local authorities
- More punishments are available for local authorities to use in the case of poor driving decisions. Minor traffic offenses could see a fine of £70 and these include things like sitting in box junctions illegally, failing to give way to oncoming traffic, and making a U-turn where it is not prohibited. Up until now, it has been the police who had the power to correct poor decision-making on the roads but now the local authority can enforce these rules too. CCTV and ANPR are used to catch motorists in the act and these revenue generation schems have been in place in London and Cardiff for some time already.
The Dutch Reach
- The ‘Dutch Reach’ is now the recommended way to exit your vehicle. To try and reduce the number of cyclists who are hit by car doors you should use the hand furthest from the door to open it. This action requires you to swivel your body and therefore look over your shoulder to be more mindful of passing cyclists that might not be visible in mirrors. It might not feel that natural so ti will take a while to get used to it but we’re being encouraged to take care and reach across. There isn’t a specific penalty as this is recommended guidance rather than law. However not checking before you open a door could result in injury to other road users.