There are some new Highway Code rules which will be coming into effect on the 29th January 2022, to improve safety for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders. These changes will create greater responsibility for drivers. Three of the biggest Highway Code changes have been explained below.

Rule H1: New Hierarchy of Road Users. Drivers of vehicles that can cause the greatest harm in the event of a collision bear the greatest responsibility to take care and reduce danger to others.

Rule H2: New Priority for Pedestrians at Junctions. At a junction, drivers, motorcyclists, horse riders and cyclists should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning. You should give way to pedestrians waiting to cross a zebra crossing (currently you only have to give way if they are already on the crossing), and to pedestrians and cyclists waiting to cross a parallel crossing.

Rule H3: New Priority for Cyclists When Cars are Turning. You should not cut across cyclists, horse riders or horse drawn vehicles going ahead when you are turning into or out of a junction or changing direction or lane. This applies whether they are using a cycle lane/track, or riding ahead on the road and you should give way to them. Do not turn at a junction if to do so would cause the cyclist, horse rider, or horse drawn vehicle going ahead to stop or swerve. You should stop and wait for a safe gap in the flow of cyclists if necessary.

It is vital to stay up to date with the Highway Code and it is easy to keep updated online:

• GOV.UK provides a list of the latest Highway Code updates and let’s you see what has been amended. It also allows you to search for key words and phrases within The Highway Code, quickly move between related rules, follow links to the original laws that the rules are based on and print sections.
• You can also sign up for email alerts and be notified whenever the Highway Code is being updated.
• Follow @HighwayCodeGB on Twitter or Facebook for news of any updates and regular road safety reminders.
• There is also the Official Highway Code app.