Highway Code Hierarchy of Road Users

[LeMarchand]

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1037306/table-of-change-to-the-highway-code.pdf

 

In theory, Pedestrians>Cyclists>Horse Riders>Motor vehicles makes perfect sense but surely I'm not the only one finding the wording very woolly? Not to mention the way most of the rules are currently flouted by most road users. I've also notice a trend in cities for walking/running in the road rather than on the pavement. Will this be a Carte Blanche to hold up traffic if that's your preference?

[jthompson]

Well, the heirarchy of road users is not so much about changing who has the right of way, it's more about the relative weight of responsibility for not flattening one another. I don't think there are any changes to who has the right of way.

[LukeRowberry]

I was taught (years ago) that there isn't such a thing as 'right of way'. It's just someone has priority if it is safe to move.

Not sure if that's still relevant.

[Andrew_C]

Hmmm... You come up to a junction. There is a sign that says "Give Way" or "STOP". The other person has a right of way.

[Boredguy]

Hmmm... You come up to a junction. There is a sign that says "Give Way" or "STOP". The other person has a right of way.

And it's amazing the number of drivers I see each week that don't understand that STOP means "come to a complete stop, not just roll through the junction as if it was Give Way"

[LeMarchand]

And it's amazing the number of drivers I see each week that don't understand that STOP means "come to a complete stop, not just roll through the junction as if it was Give Way"

 

Or that the "staggered" markings at roundabouts are there so that the person/people to their left can see what is traversing the roundabout, which they can't do if the cars to their right are stopped well over the line.

[jmak]

Hmmm... You come up to a junction. There is a sign that says "Give Way" or "STOP". The other person has a right of way.

I think some of the emphasis on trying to encourage people to learn priority rather than right of way is because too many people think right of way = right to crash into someone who failed to give way.

[jthompson]

I suppose "right of way" is really about whether you can use that road/path/whatever at all. e.g. cyclists have no right of way on public footpaths, pavements, motorways. Priority then sorts out who waits for who amongst all the different road users exercising their right of way.

[LeMarchand]

The image below is seeing a lot of use.

 

 

The pedestrian is one interpretation of the published. I'd like to see drivers in town centres*, let alone cities, manage to get anywhere adhering to that. Heck, I have a hard time getting into work as I generally let people cross the entrance, but then ending up waiting for the next one who scurries up and then lollops across the entrance, and the one after that and the one after...

 

*Thinking about it, maybe the old boy who crossed in front of traffic (despite there being a light-controlled crossing that was showing the red man) on Saturday thought the new rules were already in force.

 

The cyclist one is a bit selective; it says to do that as defensive riding when suitable (though when that is will be open to interpretation).

Edited January 24, 2022 by LeMarchand

[jthompson]

I must admit I thought pedestrains already had prioroty when crossing the minor part of a major to minor junction, but that it felt so counter-intuitive for drivers to give way in such a situation that I'd never assume that I wouldn't get run over and then bellowed at.

[hardtailstar]

The image below is seeing a lot of use.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]64357[/ATTACH]

 

The pedestrian is one interpretation of the published. I'd like to see drivers in town centres*, let alone cities, manage to get anywhere adhering to that. Heck, I have a hard time getting into work as I generally let people cross the entrance, but then ending up waiting for the next one who scurries up and then lollops across the entrance, and the one after that and the one after...

 

*Thinking about it, maybe the old boy who crossed in front of traffic (despite there being a light-controlled crossing that was showing the red man) on Saturday thought the new rules were already in force.

 

The cyclist one is a bit selective; it says to do that as defensive riding when suitable (though when that is will be open to interpretation).

 

The cyclist one has been around for years so not sure how its new, I redid my cycling proficiency at my last work (over 10 years ago) as they offered it to staff cycling into work.

[Andrew_C]

I think some of the emphasis on trying to encourage people to learn priority rather than right of way is because too many people think right of way = right to crash into someone who failed to give way.

I was thinking from the perspective of those WHO DON'T have right of way. For sure, "I have right of way in front of this bus doing 60" is a quick way to the morgue.

 

I must admit I thought pedestrains already had prioroty when crossing the minor part of a major to minor junction

They do, and have done since I did my car test 40 years ago at least. Well, having gone back and looked at that image, I'm doubting myself! Edited January 24, 2022 by Andrew_C

[LincolnE]

The problem I've got with the Junction one is I'm suddenly stopping, on a major road, for someone who may or may not be crossing.

 

If I tried that here, I'd have someone slam into the back of me within days. Sure I'd be in the right, but that doesn't solve the damage to the back of my car!

[jmak]

I was thinking from the perspective of those WHO DON'T have right of way. For sure, "I have right of way in front of this bus doing 60" is a quick way to the morgue.

 

They do, and have done since I did my car test 40 years ago at least. Well, having gone back and looked at that image, I'm doubting myself!

Difference is that previously you had to give way to them if they were already crossing. New rule is that you should allow them to cross if they're waiting.

 

Advice I saw from a driving instructor was that you should approach the junction at a speed appropriate to expecting someone to be crossing so that you would never have to stop suddenly. I think that will cause some confusion and some inconvenience, but maybe it is time to re-prioritise. If it ends up being really difficult to drive in built up areas, perhaps people will stop doing it so much...

[FN-GM]

They have similar rules in Australia and it does cause accidents, especially for cars coming around corners. I have seen a couple of near misses.

 

How would this work on roundabouts? Does the entire lot stop because someone wants to cross at one of the exits?

[mikeprice]

A lot of headlines in 'some' newspapers are rather alarmist

 

e.g. one was saying that you can be fined for opening your door with the wrong hand

total whatsit

 

a lot of the 'new' stuff is not new - it is just re-emphasising stuff that was already there

 

for example cyclist have always been advised to 'take primary' (i.e. ride in the middle of the lane) in order to be safer and prevent drivers passing in a manner that may be unsafe - it is just that now it is made clearer

it does not mean - and does not say - that cyclists should always ride in the middle of the lane - but some newspapers are saying that

 

You need to look carefully at when it says 'should' and when it says 'must'

a lot of the stuff in the headlines actually goes to bits that say 'should' - i.e. not legally necessary - but a guideline

However, if you ignore it and there is an 'accident' then it could be used to show you were not driving properly

 

 

 

As far as the pedestrian at a junction is concerned - if I am turning into the estate where I live then I always give way to pedestrians

not because of the new rules but for 2 other reasons

a) the pedestrian may be a moron - I have had too many that just walk out without looking - so I generally just let them go just in case they just GO

after all - I don;t want their head denting my bonnet!!!!

 

b) in this estate parking on the pavement is normal - and turning into it often means a car/van will be parked within a few yards of the turn and there is a right angle turn within 20 yards - so ultra slow speed is essential on approach and there are enough possible problems without worrying about what a pedestrian is going to do

 

 

 

anyway

 

 

is is quite simple

 

 

If I am on my bike - don;t hit me

[Arthur]

A few videos from an actual driving instructor in the UK.

 

This is the

video in a three part series explaining the new updates that are due for the highway code this year. In this first episode we look at Rule H1 which is all about the hierarchy of road uses.

 

 

This is the

of my videos explaining the updates that are due for the highway code. In this episode we look at pedestrian priority on pavements.

 

 

The third video hasn't been uploaded yet but will cover cyclists.

[Davit2005]

Priority should be given not taken whilst there is a need to protect the vulnerable. Whilst you will have right of way it is best to be prepared for the unexpected as much as possible and if that means not going full speed into the unknown then that should be done. For example un the UK roundabouts with a give way sign is and indicator that some entrances onto the roundabout have reduced visibility, case in point there is a roundabout on the way to my work prob like many others that the visibility to the right is non-existent unless in darkness where headlights can be seen, not all roundabouts that have poor visibility have these.

 

Planning and anticipation are ways to limit incidents on roads.

Edited January 25, 2022 by Davit2005

[LeMarchand]

Priority should be given not taken whilst there is a need to protect the vulnerable. Whilst you will have right of way it is best to be prepared for the unexpected as much as possible and if that means not going full speed into the unknown then that should be done. For example un the UK roundabouts with a give way sign is and indicator that some entrances onto the roundabout have reduced visibility, case in point there is a roundabout on the way to my work prob like many others that the visibility to the right is non-existent unless in darkness where headlights can be seen, not all roundabouts that have poor visibility have these.

 

Planning and anticipation are ways to limit incidents on roads.

 

Unfortunately too many drivers think they are Kings of the Road and everyone else should get the hell out of their way .

[Davit2005]

Unfortunately too many drivers think they are Kings of the Road and everyone else should get the hell out of their way .

 

That seems to be the case in a good proportion of drivers that I see sometimes, thankfully I have the ability to leave early for work before the rush hour and don't use the M25 so much so I prob avoid most of them

 

Drivers in the wrong lanes for the direction they are going i.e. Traffic lights/Roundabouts marked left/right turn (sometimes on purpose to get in front of people). Impatient people that don't seem to think they need to obey speed limits or other rules i.e. bus lanes.

 

I jus put them to one side mostly to not want the hassle of a brake check. The attitude of some drivers need to change but there is a lot less police enforcement and presence and some drivers will try anything because mostly they will get away with it leading to the sheep copying them.

Edited January 25, 2022 by Davit2005

[jmak]

A few videos from an actual driving instructor in the UK.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The third video hasn't been uploaded yet but will cover cyclists.

And with almost perfect timing he's released the final video in the series:

 

[LeMarchand]

In the second video wasn't the white Fiesta in the wrong lane and indicating too late as well?

 

He has far more faith in humanity than me.

 

[Davit2005]

And with almost perfect timing he's released the final video in the series:

 

 

Ashley is really good, I watch a lot of his videos, even as a driver for 30+ years can still learn things

Edited January 25, 2022 by Davit2005

[mikes]

I've been driving since 2005 and was always taught that pedestrians always have right of way under all circumstances, will definitely check out the videos though. I don't want to become one of these oldies who think the highway code hasn't changed since they passed their test in 1951!

[LeMarchand]

I don't want to become one of these oldies who think the highway code hasn't changed since they passed their test in 1951!

 

I've just looked and apparently it's no longer a requirement to have one's man walk in front of one's vehicle with a warning flag!