These new changes, if implemented, will put the greatest
responsibility on operators of large passenger vehicles and HGV’s to protect
those most at risk, namely pedestrians and cyclists. With significant changes
in pedestrian and cyclist priority, drivers need to quickly understand the
proposed changes to safeguard lives and protect their licences from
endorsement.
These are designed to prioritise cycling and pedestrian
safety and three of the biggest Highway Code changes are:
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 the danger to others.
Rule H2: New Priority for Pedestrians at
Junctions – drivers, motorcyclists and cyclists should give way to pedestrians
crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from they are turning.
Drivers should also give way to pedestrians waiting at a zebra crossing, and to
pedestrians and cyclists waiting at a parallel crossing.
Rule H3: Priority for Cyclists when Cars are
Turning – drivers should not cut across cyclists, horse riders or horse-drawn
vehicles going ahead when turning into or out of a junction or changing
direction or lane. Drivers should give way whether they are using the road, a
cycle lane or cycle track.
Further details can be found here summary of the consultation proposals on a review of The Highway Code - GOV.UK.