A landmark Freeway Code rule launched by the Division of Transport to assist enhance highway security two years in the past is being ignored by greater than two fifths of drivers, a research has discovered.
A ballot of just about 10,000 UK motorists revealed that 42 per cent both do not know the rule exists or had heard about it however thought it was unfaithful.
The AA is now calling for drivers to be reminded of the rule yearly, as an example once they obtain notifications about automobile tax renewals.
A landmark set of recent guidelines had been added to the Freeway Code in January 2022 to spice up highway security. Nonetheless, two years on and greater than two fifths of drivers both ignore it or do not learn about itÂ
On 29 January 2022, the Freeway Code was up to date with a watershed replace comprising quite a few completely different guidelines.
The headline grabber was the brand new ‘hierarchy of highway customers’; a pyramid-style system which means drivers of automobiles that may trigger the best hurt bear essentially the most accountability to care for others round them.
Basically, the larger and heavier the car you drive, the extra accountability you must cut back threat.
It means HGV, truck and bus drivers have essentially the most accountability, adopted by drivers of vans and minibuses, then automobiles and taxis, and subsequent motorcycle riders. Cyclists and horse riders even have extra accountability than pedestrians.
The Freeway Code replace consists of the road: ‘The hierarchy doesn’t take away the necessity for everybody to behave responsibly.’
The hierarchy of highway customers is a pyramid system of safety to maintain those that are most susceptible secure. Some 42% of UK motorists polled stated they disregard it once they’re driving
Inside the hierarchy guidelines is a set of directions round who has precedence when a motorist is popping at a junction and a pedestrian is crossing – or ready to cross – the highway.
It states that in all situations it’s the pedestrian who has the proper of method over the visitors – together with cyclists – and drivers ought to wait and permit them to get to the opposite aspect.
But, worryingly, 30 per cent of drivers stated they didn’t know if such a rule existed, whereas 12 per cent thought-about the rule to be unfaithful, the AA discovered when it polled 9,839 of its licence-holding members.
When The AA requested the identical query in December 2021, a month earlier than the adjustments had been adopted, two thirds (68 per cent) of motorists had been unaware of the ‘hierarchy of accountability’ guidelines.
Nonetheless, different guidelines launched on the identical time had been efficiently recalled by motorists.Â
This graphic reveals the brand new guidelines within the Freeway Code to guard each cyclists and pedestrians as a part of the hierarchy of highway customers pyramid security scheme
Some 85 per cent surveyed knew that drivers intending to show left ought to enable cyclists to go on the left earlier than finishing up the manoeuvre, whereas two in 5 knew that drivers ought to depart at the very least 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists at speeds of as much as 30mph, and provides them extra space when overtaking at larger speeds.
However, solely half of drivers had been conscious that the up to date Code formally suggested of situations the place cyclists might journey two abreast within the centre of the lane.Â
Equally, 56 per cent of drivers incorrectly believed lengthy established guidelines on when a horn shouldn’t be used had been adopted in 2022, together with 42 per cent who believed that the nationwide velocity restrict for towing a trailer or caravan was diminished to 50mph on a single carriageway.
Tim Rankin, managing director of AA Accident Help, stated; ‘Whereas nearly all of drivers can recall necessary updates to the Freeway Code, the flagship change that places extra accountability on these behind the wheel stays unknown by too many drivers.
‘Three in 10 drivers admit they have not regarded on the Freeway Code since they handed their check. New drivers and people studying to drive would be the ones most conscious of the replace, however it’s long-standing motorists that must be contacted to make sure they know the foundations.
‘It is important that we hold reminding drivers of those adjustments, which may make our roads safer and reduces crashes.’
Rankin says the AA needs drivers to obtain annual reminders of main Freeway Code adjustments to hammer residence the newest guidelines.Â
‘Every year, tens of millions of drivers are contacted with automobile tax reminders and licence renewals,’ he stated.Â
‘This is able to be the perfect alternative to tell everybody of the up to date guidelines and hold the adjustments on the entrance of their minds.’
Is the hierarchy of highway customers rule working? Authorities information reveals {that a} quarter of all highway fatalities final yr had been pedestrians – essentially the most susceptible highway customers within the pyramid system
Is the hierarchy of highway customers rule working?Â
Official figures recommend the rule adjustments have executed little or no to bolster security for essentially the most susceptible highway customers – pedestrians.Â
The Authorities’s provisional highway casualty statistics for 2023 present that pedestrian deaths on Britain’s roads elevated by 6 per cent yr on yr, up from 385 to 407.Â
They’re additionally 2 per cent larger than a decade in the past, regardless of new automobiles being fitted with a wealth of modern expertise to mitigate accidents involving pedestrians.
The info additionally reveals {that a} quarter of all highway fatalities final yr had been pedestrians.
Nonetheless, fewer cyclists – listed because the second most susceptible highway person group within the hierarchy system – had been killed final yr.
Deaths fell from 91 to 84 final yr – a discount of seven per cent. In comparison with a decade in the past, bicycle owner casualties have fallen considerably by 23 per cent.Â
The Authorities’s provisional highway casualty statistics for 2023 present that pedestrian deaths on Britain’s roads elevated by 6% yr on yr, up from 385 to 407. Nonetheless, bicycle owner fatalities did fall
When the hierarchy of highway customers guidelines had been launched again in January 2022, they triggered an offended backlash from some motorists who stated cyclists had been being given the proper to take over the highway.
A report by the Commons Public Accounts Committee in November warned that messaging round Freeway Code adjustments weren’t communicated successfully sufficient to encourage public participation.
Earlier this yr, the RAC discovered proof of drivers ignoring the landmark guidelines.
The motoring group’s highway security spokesperson Rod Dennis stated: ‘When initially launched, we welcomed the main Freeway Code adjustments as a result of they had been set to make the roads a lot safer for essentially the most susceptible customers.
‘Nonetheless, two years on, it is regarding to see there’s nonetheless a lot uncertainty, with most drivers not stopping for individuals crossing when they need to and subsequently many pedestrians seeing no change to their security at junctions.’
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Dennis added: ‘A part of the rationale could also be that drivers merely do not know that the adjustments have been made, least of all the implications of ignoring them.
‘Most drivers most likely not often seek advice from the Freeway Code as soon as they’ve handed their checks, and that is the place the issue might lie.
‘We urge motorists to take one other shut have a look at the adjustments – both by visiting the Freeway Code or RAC web sites, or by choosing up a printed copy.
‘We might additionally urge the Authorities to make one other concerted effort in speaking the adjustments to all highway customers.’
A DfT spokesman stated on the time: ‘All highway customers should really feel assured utilizing our roads which is why we made positive the adjustments to the Freeway Code had been immediately knowledgeable by a public session with over 20,000 responses.
‘To extend consciousness of the adjustments, we’ve used our Suppose! marketing campaign to extend consciousness and understanding of the adjustments during the last two years.’
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