HIGHWAY CODE

The HIERARCHY OF ROAD USERS The Highway Code has been through a big shake-up. Here’s what you need to know

YOU CAN DO A LOT MORE HARM WITH AN HGV THAN A 50CC MOPED. And a moped can do a lot more damage than a child on foot. That’s now reflected in the Highway Code.

Loads of changes were made in a big update in January 2022. Some existing rules have been tidied up or clarified, but the headline news is the ‘hierarchy of road users’ – those who can do the greatest harm must take the greatest responsibility.

The likes of HGV and coach drivers have the greatest duty to look out for other road users, because they’re driving the biggest, heaviest vehicles with the most potential to do damage. Pedestrians are at the opposite end of the hierarchy, as they’re likely to come off worst in any collision. Moped and motorbike riders sit near the middle, as they’re vulnerable to larger and heavier vehicles, but need to take extra care around horse riders, cyclists, and people on foot.

MOST VULNERABLE

NEW RULES DOS AND DON’TS

Do give way to cyclists who are riding straight on when you are turning into or out of junctions. Do give way to pedestrians who are crossing (or waiting to cross) the road at junctions. Don’t make a close pass on a cyclist. Leave at least 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists at speeds of up to 30mph, and leave more space when overtaking above 30mph. Don’t pass close to a horse or a horse-drawn vehicle travelling at speeds of up to 10mph. Give at least two metres of space.

Do remember that cyclists are allowed to ride in the centre of the lane, or two abreast, while allowing you to overtake when it’s safe to do so.

It’s important to understand that this doesn’t mean we can ride our motorbikes however we please, or that if we’re in a collision with a car it’s always going to be the driver’s fault. As riders, we still need to stick to the rules, and ride safely.

Just as drivers must remember that a moped rider is more vulnerable than they are in a collision, so we riders should keep in mind that a horse rider, cyclist, or pedestrian is likely to come off worse if we hit them. We all need to take care of each other, and especially the most vulnerable people on the road.

Those who can do the greatest harm must take extra care of others

GREATEST RESPONSIBILITY