Reader TTS

Driving law changes are set to come into effect on January 29, 2022, and will create a “hierarchy of road users”. The Highway Code rules are being amended to make roads safer for car

drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. From this date, pedestrians and cyclists will have priority over motorists at junctions, following a public consultation earlier in 2021. The main changes

include the addition of Rule H1, H2 and H3, which rank road users according to how at-risk they are in the event of a collision. Rule H1 says that drivers of large goods and passenger

vehicles bear the greatest responsibility to take care on the road, followed by vans and minibuses, cars and taxis and motorcycles. Cyclists, horse riders and horse drawn vehicles also have

a responsibility to reduce danger to pedestrians. READ MORE: CARAVAN RESIDENT WORRIED BY RULE CHANGES AT PARKS There is an extra clause added to “be aware of emergency services, traffic

officers, recovery workers and other people or vehicles that have stopped” and encourages those in the left lane to move into the adjacent lane if it’s safe. People that hog lanes on fast

roads are often moaned about for being a nuisance, but it is also an extremely dangerous thing to do. An update to the Highway Code rule number 138 states that road users on a dual

carriageway with three or more lanes, can use right hand lanes to overtake, but they should return to the left-hand lane. Rule 264 now states “keep in the left lane unless overtaking”.

Motorways are also having a revamp, motorists will be warned of any upcoming hazards, like a spillage, an incident, fog, road workers with signs above lanes. Red flashing light signals and a

red ‘X’ on a sign indicate a closed lane in which hazards are present. Drivers must follow instructions on signs in advance of a closed lane to most safely to an open lane. A spokesperson

for LeaseCar.uk said: “Every sensible motorist knows that exceeding the speed limit and drink driving is illegal and dangerous. “Many won’t realise, though, that new rules are constantly

being added to the Highway Code. Their amends are usually quite straightforward, but the reminder never hurts. “The laws make being a road user safer and it’s important for every driver to

understand the updates. “The Highway Code has more than 300 rules and many people don’t give the 150-page book a second thought after passing their theory test. “Some of their recent

amendments, like asking drivers to ‘focus on the road ahead when passing an incident’ are generally common sense, but it's better to be written down. “Acknowledging, applying and

sharing these new and updated rules could save a life.”