November 17th-23rd, 2024, is Road Safety Awareness Week, a campaign to raise awareness of dangerous driving and to remember the victims of road traffic accidents. This year we want to promote safer roads by sharing recent updates to the Highway Code to keep pedestrians and cyclists, the more vulnerable of users, safer on the roads.
With road traffic accidents being one of the most common types of enquiry we receive, Richard Wilson, Partner in our Personal Injury team, offers six key changes to the Highway Code that we should all take note of to stay safe as drivers, passengers, pedestrians or cyclists.
Give way to pedestrians at junctions
Traffic intending to turn into, or out of a junction must now give way to pedestrians that are crossing, or waiting to cross at those junctions. This rule aims to reduce the number of pedestrian injuries caused by cars at junctions, and encourages drivers to be more conscious of their surroundings, and people walking by.
Cyclists should be wary of pedestrians
The Highway Code now states that cyclists must alter their speed, and make themselves known to pedestrians when travelling in close proximity to them. Cyclists should not pass pedestrians too closely or at high speed and should use their bells to alert others that they are approaching.
Cyclists no longer need to ‘hug’ the curb
Cyclists are not required to ‘hug’ the kerb of the road, and can take a more assertive road position in the centre of the lane on quiet roads and in slower-moving traffic. On busy roads, cyclists should travel to the side of the road, but keep a distance of at least half a metre away from the kerb to avoid kerb collisions and cycling over drains.
Use the ‘Dutch Reach’ method when getting out of a car
The ‘Dutch Reach’ technique aims to reduce the risk of opening a car door into the path of a cyclist, motorcyclist or pedestrian. This is a practice for drivers and passengers where, rather than using the hand closest to the door to open it, they should use the far hand, which forces them to turn their head towards the window, giving a clearer view of anything approaching the car from its rear.
Drivers should leave a 1.5-metre gap
Drivers overtaking vulnerable road users should leave a gap of 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists and a gap of 2 metres when passing horses or people walking along the road, for example where there is no pavement to walk on.
Cyclists should leave a 1-metre gap
Much like the new rule requiring drivers to leave a safe gap, cyclists should leave a gap of at least 1 metre between themselves and the vehicles they are passing, in case a car door is opened unexpectedly.
Get in Touch
If you require advice regarding a road traffic accident, please reach out to our personal injury team.
We work on a no win, no fee basis, so our team will evaluate your situation from the initial conversation to see if we think there is a strong chance for success.
Contact us on 0330 111 3131 or fill in our contact form and one of our colleagues will be in touch at the earliest opportunity.