The Highway Code was updated in 2022 but many drivers are still getting it wrong, according to experts
Motorists are being warned that they’re misunderstanding pedestrian crossing regulations – three years after the rules were updated. Driving specialists say even seasoned motorists are getting it wrong.
The issue relates to amendments introduced in 2022 regarding pedestrian rights at crossings, which have significant consequences for drivers.
The rules say:
- when people are crossing or waiting to cross at a junction, other traffic should give way
- if people have started crossing and traffic wants to turn into the road, the people crossing have priority and the traffic should give way
- people driving, riding a motorcycle or cycling must give way to people on a zebra crossing and people walking and cycling on a parallel crossing
The Government’s gov.uk website explains: “A parallel crossing is similar to a zebra crossing, but includes a cycle route alongside the black and white stripes.”
Insurance firm LV highlighted that numerous drivers remain unaware of the amendments. They said: “Every now and then the Department of Transport updates the Highway Code. Some of the most recent and biggest changes came into effect in 2022, but lots of us are still unaware of what these are. The 2022 Highway Code updates were divided into rules H1, H2 and H3. The new proposals set to change the ‘hierarchy’ of road users, giving more priority to pedestrians and making sure drivers are especially cautious.”
Driving instructors share this concern. Annie Winterburn of Spot On Driving informed her TikTok audience: “Drivers don’t know this. Learner drivers are getting confused about this.”
She explained that motorists must pause as pedestrians “have priority to go first”. She said: “If a pedestrian wants to cross a side road, drivers should allow them to cross over the road.”
Though this doesn’t apply if they’re attempting to cross the main carriageway, reports Lancs Live. “This could be dangerous,” Annie warned.
The Highway Code has undergone changes in 2022 with the aim of better safeguarding pedestrians. The new rule states: “At a junction you should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning.”
This is a significant shift from the previous guidance, which only required drivers to yield to pedestrians who had “started crossing and traffic wants to turn into the road”.
What does the Highway Code say?
It’s all about rule H2. This rule applies to drivers, motorcyclists, horse-drawn vehicles, horse riders and cyclists.
The rule reads: “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 are allowed to use any part of the road, cycle tracks as well as the pavement, unless there are signs prohibiting pedestrian access.
What prompted the Highway Code changes?
The alterations were implemented following a public consultation on a review of The Highway Code with the aim of enhancing road safety for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. This consultation took place from July to October 2020.
Over 20,000 responses were received from the public, businesses and various organisations. The majority of respondents were in favour of all the proposed changes.
The modifications to The Highway Code were enacted on Saturday 29 January 2022. They encompass Rule H2, along with other rules concerning roundabouts, overtaking, cycling and the so-called hierarchy of road-users.
This hierarchy consists of H2, as well as H1 and H3, which address other aspects of highway usage. In June 2022, Trudy Harrison, then a representative of the Department for Transport, expressed her support for the changes in the House of Commons.
She said: “The amendments simply reinforce the good behaviours that we would expect every road user to adhere to and drivers should already be following the rules of the road. The changes will lead to improvements in road safety as they encourage more mutual respect and consideration for all road users.”