Hi Everyone I know a lot of forum members have responded to the consultation regarding the proposed new Highway Code Review last July, however the inclusion of a "hierarchy of road users" means that drivers of the largest vehicles bear the biggest duty of care. It is intended to improve the safety of, pedestrians (in particular children, those with a disability and elderly) cyclists and horse riders. Controversially is the establishment of the "hierarchy of road users", the rational behind this for some people is it has the potential to save lives, others believe it may lead to more accidents. Duncan Dollimore the UKs Head of Cycling Advocacy and Campaigns is for the proposals and the adoption of the principle that road users who present the most significant risk to others should bear the "greater responsibility" in reducing the risks they pose. Tom Cotton the Head of Licencing and Infrastructure of the Road Haulage Association is against the changes, he believes that the proposals will see drivers of the largest vehicles unfairly shouldering the greatest responsibility. There are persuasive arguments on both sides, however what is crystal clear is that it will undoubtedly remove the onus on cyclist's, pedestrians and other road users to take "responsibility for their own actions". Tom Cotton gave the following example. A van driver intending to turn left and indicating his intention to do so, could be overtaken on the nearside by a cyclist, the van driver checked the mirrors, seen it was clear and begins concentrating on the turn, in the intervening period the cyclist, now between the kerb and the van collides with the van. The proposed hierarchy will automatically put the blame on the van driver. Whatever changes are made there will be a need for a huge education campaign to ensure the public are aware of any Highway Code amendments. That in itself poses issues in my mind, it clearly puts the responsibility upon us as road users "ignorance of the amendments has no defence" will be clearly cited. What is a very worrying issue is that pedestrians, cyclists, horse owners etc etc, carry no legal responsibility to have mandatory third party insurance, cyclist do not even need to undertake any form of basic training whatsoever, you can go and buy a cycle and take to the road right away, cycles are not registered, often cyclists wear little or no protection, nothing is mandatory, the same is true for a horse rider. On another note the DVLA has made changes to the law regarding those eligible to display black and white or black and sliver number plates. Motorcycles built from January 1st 1980 will have to use reflective plates, immaterial if the vehicle is classed as historic, a new British Standard for numberplates will be issued in September 2021. Police officers now have a very simple device that is held up against numberplates to ascertain if they are legal, a photo is taken to show in Court if necessary that the numberplate was illegal. Please be aware that there are a number of Police Forces (via the Police and Crime Commissioners) to encourage the public to upload dash cam footage of instances of poor riding/driving, although a person doing so has to submit the "whole footage" and any offence they had committed may lead to a prosecution as well, that said I have seen edited video footage of serious offences shown in Court with the (before and after) erased, and the offender still being convicted. Ride safe all.
Lots to think about there, for sure, and not all good. I am a cyclist but do worry about the way a large number of cyclists simply ignore all signals / signs and, unless it happens to suit them at the time, to hell with it. These proposals would seem to condone and encourage such irresponsible and dangerous behaviour. One bonus could be the long overdue control of vanity plates. The need of those motorists to have any registration mark that bears even the remotest similarity to their names, and cobble the letters / numerals together to let the world know who they are, is tiresome and needs addressing, as does the boy racer trend to black tinted anti speed camera number plates. Just my opinion, of course. Interesting post that one Iceman, thanks for that.
As a professional driver of large vehicles i read about this a while ago and was filled with dread. On the face of it there is a certain logic but there are many variables that make this a problem. Cyclists these days seem to do whatever they want. I mean i have posted elsewhere of policemen cycling on pavements not to mention other things. In the last 24 hours i have seen, whilst out walking my dog, more than 10 people cycling on footpaths and 4 electric scooter riders (currently illegal here, i.e. not rented), riding as fast as they can on footpaths, another illegality. Last time i was out in my truck i had to emergency brake because some retard decided he was bored of riding on the footpath (where he shouldnt have been) and bumped down the kerb into the road without looking or signalling right in front of me. Under these proposals i would be responsible for squishing him. The fact i didnt was more owed to the fact that the opposing lane was empty and i could swerve round him rather more than any of my skills as a driver; Its going to force everyone to have some sort of recording device to prove who was actually at fault. If you think enforcement services wouldnt go through all your recordings in the event of an incident and then prosecute you for something totally unrelated then you are sadly mistaken.
Hi Stinger, I walked to the Post Office the other day to send some parts to another forum member (I live in a small village), on returning home I got to the crossing pressed the button, lights went red for traffic to stop and green for me to go, white van and driver on far side of road stopped, I was 3 steps across and an SUV came hurtling through, I knew he wasn't going to stop as he was busy talking to a female passenger, the SUV almost hit me and my Collie Dog, had I not anticipated the cretins lack of concentration and stepped back quick, I would have ended up in the Hospital or worse, he just drove on, even the van driver asked if I was ok. You are also correct with the Prosecutions of unrelated matters it happens an awful lot, its so easy to post dash cam footage for those that take the moral high ground (I am not talking about serious incidents here either), however "glass houses" spring to mind, and it comes back to bite them on occasions.
Well it looks like the changes are being pushed through This RAC article makes interesting reading. https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/news/mo...de=true&contactURN=40023485&hasBreakdown=true
Just a reminder that the Highway Code changes are coming in to force from 29th January 2022 (UK only). https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/...nges-cars-must-give-way-cyclists-when-turning
A regular occurrence here that will test your new rules, will be cyclists ignoring red lights and stop signs. Rules state responsibility hierarchy, but generally courts allow for original act or causal effect. The law was changed in NZ for rear enders always being liable, due to most accidents with larger vehicles being the front vehicle pulling in and slowing/stopping causing the accident. Still see it everyday, but it helps to lessen the impact on the Truck/lorry drivers I find most accidents are viewed with shared responsibility, but not accountability, leaving untrained and unlicensed road users free to flaunt the road rules
This is one of the reasons I now have a front/rear dashcam in the car. I got hooted at by a deaf moron at some lights today while I waited for an ambulance on blues and twos pass so what chance do we have? I have an action cam for the bike and bicycle too now for the same reason.
I recently had a front/rear dash cam fitted in the car for the same reason, so many shite drivers on the roads.
The ocean/sea's have had this rule ever since the first engine's were put Into a ship. But in reality sailboats give way to much bigger powered vessels. How do you stop a 300m by 300,000 ton cargo ship when a sailboat/yacht cut's across the Bow of said Cargo Ship ???
Highway Code. What proportion of motorists ever pick a copy up once they have acquired a full driving licence? Changes, it could be turned on its head for all the real difference it will make. In my opinion it's a free for all out there with no enforcement beyond cameras. Really negative I know, but sadly I just don't see it having any significant impact on the appalling standard of driving / riding out there.
I've bought one updated copy in the 35 years since I passed my bike then car tests. Will get a new copy next time I'm near a WH Smith. Unfortunately you're quite right Curley, enforcement is so minimal it has become almost lawless in some places so changed rules will, as usual, only be followed by those who were not a problem to start with.
