road rule changes 2022

[DanF]

Dunno if this has been posted somewhere else, first time I've read this. Rule changes kicking in on 29th Jan

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/the-highway-code-8-changes-you-need-to-know-from-29-january-2022

I'm a cyclist and a car driver, tbh have mixed feelings about some of them. In London, 1.5m distance under 30mph is a bit too much. The 2m rule over 30mph is basically pass like another car fully in other side of the road. I just can't see many vehicle drivers sticking to this the amount of close calls I've had over the years.

The wait for pedestrians to cross one is just nuts, it'll cause traffic jams anywhere busy. It basically turns every junction in to a zebra crossing for pedestrians

The cycling groups rule to ask them to respect vehicles behind is good. Been in a lot of cycling groups where they ignore cars behind.

Crossing white line to overtake slow cyclist/horse looks good as well.

Roundabout rule looks good, they feel like a danger spot when cycling. God had some close calls on roundabouts.

Last one the Dutch Reach, the only time I've actually collided with a car while cycling was someone opening a car door on me when doing about 25mph. Had a trip to hospital

 

[Diagro]

All good apart from the junction one.

Will absolutely cause traffic and frustration.

Especially as the normal joe public wont know that they have right of way, and WILL wait for you to use the junction before they cross.
So causing CONFUSION AND DELAY!

if anyone stops and waits for me, I will turn. No one will pull me over.. why would they? nothing better to do?

 

[peterwalkley]

I can see the wait for pedestrians one causing lots of rear end shunts When on foot I'd rather wait until traffic is out the way and I can see its clear to cross than rely on them all stopping.

 

[Rroff]

I can see the wait for pedestrians one causing lots of rear end shunts When on foot I'd rather wait until traffic is out the way and I can see its clear to cross than rely on them all stopping.

IMO if a substantial number of drivers do start driving to these rules, especially with the increased number of SUVs, pickups and vans on the road, there is going to be a significant increase in the number of incidents where a pedestrian emerges from behind a vehicle into the path of another vehicle which has no chance of anticipating or reacting to them in time. Resulting in a significant up tick in serious incidents even if we lower the number of incidents overall with these changes.

Some of these changes seem to be lifted from countries which have the infrastructure to support them, into a country where if anything the infrastructure actively works against the changes although it isn't clear yet where some of the changes might or might not apply.

While some aspects make sense or are needed changes overall I feel like there is almost a militant push behind it "for the greater good" style to cause more conflict, more people getting hurt, so as to highlight the cause and/or because some just like to fight the fight and see the other side as the enemy rather than find solutions.

 

[lordrobs]

if anyone stops and waits for me, I will turn. No one will pull me over.. why would they? nothing better to do?

No sane pedestrian is going to do anything other than stop and wait for the car turning in to either stop or acknowledge their presence with a nod or a wave. So basically, by your definition, you'll just be ignoring that rule.

The fact that a car stopping on the road in an area with junctions and pedestrians walking (and therefore a 20 / 30 / 40 mph speed limit) causes concerns of people getting rear ended probably highlights a bigger problem on the roads.

I don't necessarily agree with the changes but I do agree with the overarching principle behind it I.E to change this mentality of "car first" and to encourage, support and promote other forms of transport. Especially so in urban/suburban areas.

 

[Puzzled]

You just have to hope with the pedestrian rule at junctions that instinct for survival kicks in and stops people just walking out without care. I can't see the logic behind it all as a driver or pedestrian, as a driver it adds a significant new risk of unpredictability and as a pedestrian I'm going to make that choice when to cross and it will be when the road is clear both ways.

In an ideal world drivers behind would leave enough space and stop but its hardly uncommon to have someone right up your backside when you slow down to turn into a side road. I also remember when I used to visit a town that decided having zebra crossings on the exit of most roundabouts was a good idea and the number of near misses you'd see with drivers nearly hitting pedestrians was crazy, really poor road design (and really poor driving).

 

[Rroff]

I also remember when I used to visit a town that decided having zebra crossings on the exit of most roundabouts was a good idea and the number of near misses you'd see with drivers nearly hitting pedestrians was crazy, really poor road design (and really poor driving).

It is a bit unclear if it extends to situations like that with these changes but I can imagine a situation at the exit from a roundabout with 2 lanes where traffic in lane 1 stops (say a van) to let someone cross, someone in lane 2 is blocked visually from seeing the person until they step out into lane 2 from behind the van... and that extends to a lot of other situations which will be covered by these changes for definite - our infrastructure just isn't setup for some of these changes.

 

[Puzzled]

It is a bit unclear if it extends to situations like that with these changes but I can imagine a situation at the exit from a roundabout with 2 lanes where traffic in lane 1 stops (say a van) to let someone cross, someone in lane 2 is blocked visually from seeing the person until they step out into lane 2 from behind the van... and that extends to a lot of other situations which will be covered by these changes for definite - our infrastructure just isn't setup for some of these changes.

I thought the new rule just applied to junctions when turning into / coming out of a side road? That is the example they keep using anyway.

 

[Rroff]

I thought the new rule just applied to junctions when turning into / coming out of a side road? That is the example they keep using anyway.

Some situations it seems a bit unclear whether they apply under the new changes yet and/or could be confusing even if they aren't when some people think they are.

 

[Gixer]

No chance you'll be seeing me step off a curb whilst I know there's a car going to be turning into the road I want to cross. I don't care if I do have right of way, I walk just like I ride my bicycle and how I drive my car, like every other road user is out to kill me I'll cross when I can see it's clear and safe and not before thank you.

 

[Martynt74]

No chance you'll be seeing me step off a curb whilst I know there's a car going to be turning into the road I want to cross. I don't care if I do have right of way, I walk just like I ride my bicycle and how I drive my car, like every other road user is out to kill me I'll cross when I can see it's clear and safe and not before thank you.

Exactly, no point being righteous and stepping out knowing you have right of way if it leaves you in hospital!

 

[Richard_16v]

Yesterday I saw more gangs of cyclists riding in big groups or in the middle of the road causing long tailbacks. I can see there being a lot of injuries caused by people getting frustrated.

 

[PinkFloyd]

No chance you'll be seeing me step off a curb whilst I know there's a car going to be turning into the road I want to cross. I don't care if I do have right of way, I walk just like I ride my bicycle and how I drive my car, like every other road user is out to kill me I'll cross when I can see it's clear and safe and not before thank you.

Likewise. I think that's probably a key aspect that everyone should try and take onboard! Assume the worst of all other road users and you'll be prepared when they do something idiotic and avoid any incidents. Quite easy to get by with driving, cycling and crossing roads like this!

Personally I think the new rules look fine, providing pedestrians apply some common sense when crossing roads. I'd love to think that anyone on foot would have enough self preservation to not jump out in front of a car risking their life just because they knew they were technically in the right... But I always end up thinking back to the idiotic mother I once saw push a pushchair straight onto a zebra crossing causing cars to emergency stop - sure she'd be in the right, but why would you risk your kid's life?!

The main takeaway from the new rules seems to be respect and understand other road users. I drive, cycle and walk regularly, so for me - this comes as a second nature. I suspect the only frustration will be the practicality of actually leaving the appropriate width when overtaking cyclists at times. From a cycling point of view, I've never really cared if people leave 2m space or not, it's overtaking in a careful manner. Far too often I see motorists accelerate past 2m wide of me, swerve back in and slam their brakes on to avoid rear ending a car in front - I'd have liked to have seen something in the code that highlights just how idiotic doing this is.

 

[Hagar]

Yesterday I saw more gangs of cyclists riding in big groups or in the middle of the road causing long tailbacks. I can see there being a lot of injuries caused by people getting frustrated.

People should not get frustrated behind the wheel. I am all for tearing along at a great rate of knots when safe to do so. However if you cannot overtake safely don't and wait until you can. Ignore what others behind you may be thinking as well.

 

[Terminal_Boy]

If I was still driving in the U.K., I’d fit a front and rear dash cam ASAP. If I was still riding a motorcycle in the U.K., I’d be ignoring the junction rule completely as stopping in the middle of a clear road is going to get people killed.

 

[Buckster]

Not come across a cyclist cycling in middle of road yet but was thinking on driving this morning (live in countryside) on most country 2 lane A roads if a cyclist is in middle ish is there enough space to legally overtake once take new position plus 1.5m ? Going to be almost in the opposite verge ? Very dangerous from a view forward from car point of view and Seema dangerous all round ?

What you meant to do potentially stay behind said cyclist for what could be miles and miles at say 10-15mph ?

Btw I'm a cyclist as well as a driver and think there should be respect all round have bad feeling these new rules are going to make things much worse

 

[Hotwired]

Not come across a cyclist cycling in middle of road yet but was thinking on driving this morning (live in countryside) on most country 2 lane A roads if a cyclist is in middle ish is there enough space to legally overtake once take new position plus 1.5m ? Going to be almost in the opposite verge ? Very dangerous from a view forward from car point of view and Seema dangerous all round ?

What you meant to do potentially stay behind said cyclist for what could be miles and miles at say 10-15mph ?

Why not. You meet a tractor bumbling between farms on a country road you obediently crawl behind it don't you. They typically have a top speed sufficient to hunt down a cabbage.

 

[Puzzled]

Why not. You meet a tractor bumbling between farms on a country road you obediently crawl behind it don't you. They typically have a top speed sufficient to hunt down a cabbage.

Tractors pull over, never seen a cyclist do that.

You'd hope in the country lane scenario the cyclist would have some sense and give some space for a safe overtake once the car has slowed down.

 

[Buckster]

Why not. You meet a tractor bumbling between farms on a country road you obediently crawl behind it don't you. They typically have a top speed sufficient to hunt down a cabbage.

Tractors are faster than cyclists in general

Most tractors can sustain 20mph some 30

Also far fewer tractors on road than cyclists

 

[Rroff]

Tractors are faster than cyclists in general

Most tractors can sustain 20mph some 30

Also far fewer tractors on road than cyclists

I live deep in farming country - aside from certain times of year you don't get a lot of the slower farm traffic - but as you said they usually sustain upwards of 20 MPH and don't generally slow down to walking pace on hills like cyclists generally do. (Not all but some of the farmers try and avoid trips during rush hour, etc.).

Had to laugh the other day - got stuck in a queue behind a tractor for 2-3 miles, came around a corner and similar coming the other way - probably had to be there and/or as bored of following it to find it so funny but it gave me a chuckle

when that happens I generally just sit back put on the tunes.

When the weather is nice around here though cyclists mixed with busy roads can get to ridiculous levels though they have as much a right to be there as anyone it can get a bit silly when you've got an hour journey but encounter a cyclist every 1 to 1.5 miles and no sooner get past one you catch up another and if you are extra unlucky get past one only for them to come past you again at the traffic lights 200 yards later, etc.