News & Features
Many Drivers still unaware of flagship Highway Code changes
Posted in General News on Friday, August 9th, 2024
Two fifths (42%*) of drivers remain unaware of a flagship update to the Highway Code, despite it being introduced more than two years ago.
On 29 January 2022, the Highway Code was updated with the ‘hierarchy of responsibility’, which states that road users that cause the greatest harm have more responsibility to reduce the danger they pose. Worryingly, 30% of drivers said they did not know if such a rule existed, while 12% considered the rule to be untrue.
When The AA asked the same question in December 2021, a month before the changes were adopted, two thirds (68%) of drivers were unaware of the ‘hierarchy of responsibility’ rules.
However, other rules introduced at the same time were successfully recalled. More than eight out of 10 (85%) knew that drivers intending to turn left should allow cyclists to pass on the left before carrying out the manoeuvre, while eight out of 10 (80%) knew that drivers should leave at least 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists at speeds of up to 30mph, and give them more space when overtaking at higher speeds.
Only half of those surveyed were aware that the updated code advised of scenarios where cyclists could ride two abreast in the centre of the lane. Similarly, 56% of drivers incorrectly believed that long established rules on when a horn should not be used were adopted in 2022, when in fact, rule 112 appeared in the earliest editions of the code. Many drivers were also unsure about the reduced 60mph speed limit for caravans being towed on dual carriageways.
The AA believes that awareness of these changes needs to be repeated for years to come to improve the knowledge of drivers across the UK. Tim Rankin, the Managing Director of AA Accident Assist, said; “While the majority of drivers can recall important updates to the Highway Code, the flagship change that puts more responsibility on those behind the wheel remains unknown by too many drivers. Three in 10 drivers admit they haven’t looked at the Highway Code since they passed their test. New drivers and those learning to drive will be the ones most aware of the update, but it is long-standing motorists that need to be contacted to ensure they know the rules. It’s vital that we keep reminding drivers of these changes, which can make our roads safer and reduces crashes. Each year, millions of drivers are contacted with car tax reminders and licence renewals. This would be the ideal opportunity to inform everyone of the updated rules and keep the changes at the front of their minds.”
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Comments
Robert Patrick
Monday, August, 19th, 2024
I think that awareness of ALL and ANY changes to the Highway Code should be flagged up monthly for older drivers like myself so that we cannot claim ignorance.
Simon Sheridan
Monday, August, 19th, 2024
In my opinion people just do what they like. I’m sure most people aren’t aware that screaming at someone in a driving situation is illegal and you can face a fine of up to 5,000. I never thought I’d see the day I would see someone parked and blocking a zebra crossing. Just not the done thing. But we are importing a lot of bad habits I live in an area where the footpath has been widened and turned into a cycle lane as well. Not a car park
John Hill
Friday, August, 9th, 2024
Having witnessed a driving instructor permitting a learner driver to pull out in front of my vehicle I am sure the problem lies with the testing of provisional licence holders and the reasoning for the need to not only introduce staged licencing but to increase the pass level. As an advanced driver and motorcyclist I am sure standards would improve greatly if learners were taught observation skills from the outset. Perhaps 10 year retesting would also encourage all drivers to read the latest Highway Code.
David Morgan
Monday, August, 19th, 2024
Thank you so much for the reminders! These are invaluable and vital propmpts which are greatly appreciated.
Judith Bicknell
Monday, August, 19th, 2024
I know for myself that would be a great idea. Even though I live abroad now I would have really liked an update on the Highway Code. I occasionally drive in the UK when visiting and am pleased that you have brought this up. Thanks
Geoff Walsh
Monday, August, 19th, 2024
There are over 50 million holders of driving licences in the UK presently with over 40 million currently licensed vehicles. Although IAM RoadSmart is a superb charity, it sadly has only 77,000 members or so though with 164 branches and over 5,000 volunteers. Mr John Hill's posting is super snd sensible too - I am a disabled Stroke survivor (though not a member of IAM myself) and I frequently witness the increasing dangers of our roads.. the anger of drivers who openly argue against other drivers who are the ones in the right ! Driving standards were appauling already prior to the Highway Code changes over 2 years ago. I entirely agree that far too many youngsters are allowed to pass their drivaing tests - the tests are clearly not testing enough. I am also a supporter of regular re-tasting
Clyde Williams
Monday, August, 19th, 2024
Really the Highway Code should be renewed yearly and BE EASILY OBTAINABLE.
Gill Hampton
Monday, August, 19th, 2024
I was taught by the Police to drive, which is defensive driving. You're on the look out all the time for things that might cause an accident. Commonsense too especially passing cyclists. Even before the law change, I always give at least 2 metres., you don't know if the bike could hit a pothole or suddenly veer towards the car. Leaving enough space for eventualities is commonsense.
Hazel Murphy
Tuesday, August, 20th, 2024
I agree that a lot of drivers don’t know of these changes, also a lot of drivers don’t know how to use a rounderbout, when they indicate a right turn and then go straight across, instead of turning right as indicated by them.
Chris Turner
Thursday, August, 22nd, 2024
No one should sit back on their laurels. Everyone should fully read the highway coat at least once a year Everyone should take the advance drivers course every three years. Personally I first took my advanced drivers course at the age of 20 three years after taking my test at 17 and I’ve done so every three years since hence I’ve now taken 21 advanced drivers courses and they are worth every penny ever spent. No one will ever stop an accident but at least we know what to do and how to deal with the situation keeping ourselves and everyone else safer Accidents will always happen. Incident through lack of care, insufficient knowledge of new rules and regulations should result in losing the license for life After 70 people should never be allowed to obtain a license by just saying they’re a fit and healthy. Everyone should have a medical review. a private medical view with your doctor once every three years only cost £28 .
Chas Steer
Monday, August, 19th, 2024
I understand the hierarchy of responsibility has changed. My argument is: WHY OH WHY don't people take responsibility FOR THEIR OWN ACTIONS? I use a mobility scooter nowadays AS WELL AS drive a car. The amount of cyclists I see, when I'm in the car, riding as if they OWN THE ROAD is unbelievable. The same with pedestrians when I'm on my scooter not concentrating on where they are going, instead they have their heads in their mobile phones. Call me what you want, but the world seems to be a ME ME ME world
Mrs Jacqueline Drea
Monday, August, 19th, 2024
I'm no longer a driver but as a wheelchair user I constantly have to suffer at the hands of cars turning left from a busy main road onto a side road when I am actually on the road. Drivers are unaware they have to give way. These drivers include taxi, male and female drivers. I am also disgusted that some drivers think it is completely their right to park on the corner pavement of the same main road and side road where I live on Rossendale Road in Burnley. BB11 5DE, I get frequent bad language thrown at me from the woman who lives at this address. Their entitlement is flawed. I have notified the police (last year) but was told by the Officer after he had visited the address that I should cross the road further up the side road. I have told the woman who rudely tells me to F off that a child could be knocked down and injured because they obscure the view round the bend. Cars drive round the bed very quickly and I cannot see (vans also parked, 3 cars on one occasion) or hear (electric cars) approaching round the bed. When is the law going to be changed to stop cars parking fully on pavements?
Mrs Jacqueline Drea
Monday, August, 19th, 2024
Parked cars on pavements, vans and at this particular address at 186 Rossendale Road, Burnley, BB11. When is the law going to be changed? I get verbal abuse from the woman who lives here. I no longer drive but as a wheelchair user I have to negotiate round these vehicles when oncoming traffic quickly turn round this corner. Last year I made a complaint to the Community Police who went round to the property but the woman was uninterested in my complaint. Drivers do not give way once I am on the road, they don't know the Highway Code states vehicles should give way to pedestrians/wheelchair users, they just drive past me when I am crossing the side road. The Police Officer told me to go further up the side road and then cross the road away from the main road. He didn't realise my view is obscured by all these parked cars (fully on the pavement - on one occasion there were 3 parked cars on the corner and one van on the verge). In reply to the swearing from the woman concerned I told here one day a child will be injured by oncoming traffic, I just got more verbal abuse.
T Miller
Wednesday, September, 4th, 2024
Thank you so much, I didn't no about changes in law .but most people are going that way because it's more sensible to be courses with bloxxx bikes most think