A recent survey conducted by a London law firm quizzed 2,000 UK road users and found that over half of British drivers as well as cyclists are still unaware of important Highway Code rules, with bus and lorry drivers the least aware of the road hierarchy.
The survey was conducted in February by Hodge Jones and Allen, solicitors specialising in personal injury and dispute resolution besides other things, and revealed that more than a year on, road users in the UK are still confused about the Highway Code changes.
The Highway Code changes were brought about by the UK Government on 29 January 2022 to improve road safety for people walking, cycling and riding horses following a public consultation. However ever since, the changes have been part of a heated debate as well as national press hysteria, with questions being raised if they have actually helped make active travel safer or not.
But what’s perhaps a little more clear is that people are still confused about them. According to the study, 54 per cent drivers and 60 per cent cyclists do not know the correct hierarchy of road users, with four in ten cyclists believing they take priority over pedestrians.
> Highway Code: 61% of drivers HAVE NOT read new rules, AA survey suggests
A significant 83 per cent of bus and lorry drivers could not identify the correct hierarchy of road users, with nearly half of them (47 per cent) believing they topped the road hierarchy. This comes as a rather troubling revelation that bus/lorry drivers know the least out of all road users about this aspect of the Highway Code rule, despite the size of the vehicles posing a threat to road users in case of a collision.
The Highway Code changes that came into effect last year introduced a new road hierarchy as one of the eight changes, which also included the much contested Dutch Reach that involves looking over your shoulder when getting out of your car so as to not injure any cyclists or pedestrians.
The hierarchy of road users placed road users who are most at risk in the event of a collision at the top. According to the UK Government, this rule is meant to remind all road users that they have the responsibility to ensure other users remain safe.
In the hierarchy, pedestrians are placed at the top due to their lack of protection on the road making them the most vulnerable in a road traffic accident. The code rules are based on the lower a road user is in the hierarchy, the more harm they can cause others. This explains why cyclist sit second, yet bus or lorry drivers come in last place due to the size and damage the vehicle can cause.
Interestingly, pedestrians were the most likely to correctly identify the correct hierarchy of road users with nearly three quarters (73 per cent) answering correctly, followed by motorcyclists (52 per cent) and car/van Drivers (46 per cent).
> Most drivers still don’t know Highway Code changes, poll shows
Still misconceptions around cycling
The study revealed that over a third of UK adults believe that the statement “cyclists should always wear light coloured or fluorescent clothing which helps other road users see you” is part of the highway code, despite it being untrue.
Additionally, a third of pedestrians incorrectly believe cyclists hold the sole responsibility to not obstruct or cause danger in routes shared by cyclists and pedestrians.
However, 40 per cent of those surveyed wrongly believe the term “cyclists have right of way over pedestrians on designated use cycle tracks” is part of the Highway Code. Surprisingly, over a third of cyclists also incorrectly thought that this was a part of the Code.
The majority of respondents also did not correctly identify that cyclists and motorcyclists should not ride on the inside of vehicles signalling or slowing down to turn left, and only a third knew that cyclists are recommended to have a bell fitted to their bike.
In January, we reported that a new poll found just 18 per cent of cyclists think road safety has improved following the new Highway Code changes, while only one in ten reckon the government takes cycle safety seriously enough.
> Highway Code changes: Just 18 percent of cyclists think road safety has improved, poll finds
Another study by carried out on behalf of Cycling UK found that after a year, most drivers were unaware of the new rules, with 72 per cent drivers unaware that they should leave at least 1.5 metres space when overtaking cyclists at speeds of up to 30mph.
Young adults and Manchester among least aware demographics
It seems that the older generation surveyed are more knowledgeable when it comes to the Highway Code, two thirds of those aged 65+ know the correct hierarchy of road users, however only one in four young adults (25-34 year-olds) answered correctly.
In terms of awareness levels around our UK cities, Manchester was the least aware
when it came to knowing the hierarchy of road users, with nearly two-thirds incorrectly selecting the order of hierarchy, with Edinburgh (62 per cent) and Belfast (60 per cent) closely following.
Southampton had the most knowledgeable residents on the hierarchy of road users, with 61 per cent picking the correct order. Cardiff was second with 60 per cent respondents giving correct answers, followed by Liverpool with over half (55 per cent) familiar with the rule.
38 thoughts on “Over half of UK drivers still confused by Highway Code change, shows survey”
I don’t know if it is half,
I don’t know if it is half, but a significant fraction of drivers are confused by any set of rules that doesn’t reflect their idea of the “natural” order. Which is that everyone slower than them should get out of their way. Everyone in front of them in a queue is causing congestion. And everyone using a smaller/cheaper vehicle than theirs is a loser while everyone in a larger/posher vehicle is a show-off.
Exactrly. Is it “confused”
Exactly. Is it “confused” or is it “IDGAF”?
Agree – but “change” of this
Agree – but “change” of this type is difficult. Our current system is self-reinforcing in many ways. Trivial example – it doesn’t feel safe or pleasant on the road for most people walking or cycling because of faster larger motor vehicles – so people naturally stay off the road, so drivers don’t expect them to be there so don’t feel the need to drive more slowly and can be irritated if they find them there etc.
In addition there are several human psychological traits driving “fitting in” or “following the crowd”. So even with a new system that may be self-reinforcing it requires a significant number of people to shift behaviour for the new system to become established.
An excellent point.
An excellent point.
As with most people on here, I am a cyclist, driver and pedestrian. None of the figures on here surprise me (not even “with four in ten cyclists believing they take priority over pedestrians”)
Its a little depressing that cycling has been around so long, yet today’s cyclist need to be pioneers of safety.
The figures are truly
The figures are truly horrible and a graphic demonstration of the failure of the DfT to get this message across. Troubling enough perhaps, but the figures for bus and lorry drivers is just scary. How can 47% of professional drivers not know and understand the new rules? This can only be due to the utter incompetence of their employers, who have a clear duty to keep their staff informed on such matters, but have signally failed to do so.
Do we have any bus/lorry drivers here, who could tell us what steps their employer has taken to make sure that their staff understand the changes?
I am very surprised that
I am very surprised that people are surprised. If I didn’t read the cycling press I would not know that the HWC had changed. Have yet to see adverts on the telly for example or as junk on FB. Rather a low profile I think.
but the point of the new
but the point of the new rules is they are just common sense, give more vulnerable road users as much space as you can when you overtake, dont run pedestrians over when they cross the road, just dont be a complete aerosol when you drive.
That the general public in the UK no longer seem to be able to think for themselves and possess the common sense to need this stuff hammered home for them is left for another debate, but this stuff isnt actually anything any driver shouldnt have been doing in the first place under the old rules.
Deodorant please
Deodorant please
Ball or aerosol
Neither, I want it for my armpits.
I’m on a local mission to get
I’m on a local mission to get rule H2 acknowledged — that road users should give way to pedestrians crossing at junctions. I always obey it when in the car or on the bike; and try to take it when on foot. Haven’t been run over yet, but I do live in a civilised part of the country.
I’m convinced almost no-one is aware of that rule, which makes it pointless and dangerous. DfT doing half a job here…
I get hooted by drivers
I get hooted by drivers turning into or from sidestreets when I am proceeding on foot. The continuous apron of tarmac tells them the pedestrians are crossing the roadspace, ergo motorists have priority.
Until pavements are level and continuous across such junctions motorists will not get the message that they are crossing the pavement.
Sriracha wrote:
Amen! Sad – but I keep thinking about this. Probably read too many articles like this one.
The HC change is recent but we have known about the *idea* for a long time in the UK. In defence of my interest Edinburgh – like some UK cities – serves up a smorgasbord of versions of these built during different eras. Most are “cargo cult” level e.g. “lookalike” but don’t actually fulfil the purpose. As usual the blame may not lie with the ignorance of the designers but the requirements given to them.
What are you supposed to do
What are you supposed to do before crossing a road?
What does the green cross code say?
Who gives a shit what the
Who gives a shit what the green cross code said?
The code taught people that cars were all important and that drivers had priority and no responsibility.
Is the green cross code
Is the green cross code targetted at adults or young children?
Do we allow young children to drive cars? If not, why not?
What does the Highway Code say?
kie7077 wrote:
Oh sure, I’m not stupid, I don’t step under the wheels of a car. I look, I see that the motorist has ample time and space to give way, but they hoot me as if to say, “You saw me, right?!”
Troon wrote:
Recently challenged a van driver who went into a hooting swearing frenzy because I stepped out and made him wait when I was crossing a junction on foot: when I asked him if he had read the new highway code he replied, “The highway code is only for people using the road, not bloody pedestrians.”
To be fair I suspect most
To be fair I suspect most drivers would fail spectacularly on the previous itteration of the Highway Code – to most drivers the HC is something you need to revise when you learn to drive and after that…
It would be interesting to have an online 30 minute HC test in order to renew your VED (those that still bother to tax their vehicle that is).
There was a recent set of 4
There was a recent set of 4 close passes in the local paper.
Predictable responses including “cyclists should understand that drivers have priority”
Followed by a series of replies explaining the highway code and asking them if they had *ever* read it.
All drivers should have to
All drivers should have to take regular driving tests to renew their licence. Our cars have an MOT each year, but it is the driver that causes accidents.
And it wouldn’t change
And it wouldn’t change anything, those that failed would more than likely just carry on driving anyway, as largely seems to be the case with unlicensed drivers anyway, or they’d pay people to take it for them.
The way to make people follow it as I always say is simply to get the police to enforce those existing traffic laws, then people are being “tested” daily on their ability to drive safely.
I shouldn’t be, after so many
I shouldn’t be, after so many years on this planet, but I am constantly; surprised, alarmed, concerned at the level of wilful ignorance on many matters.
From Government ministers to halfwits on the local Facebook page, it seems that holding a strong opinion is often far more important than seeking to be informed about the subject.
Ah yes, a bell.
Ah yes, a bell.
Just like a helmet makes you impervious to nuclear war, a bell alerts drivers to your presence(!)
GMBasix wrote:
Which you may need if you try restarting one! EC1V 3QJ
Shocker – drivers of Busses
Shocker – drivers of Busses and Lorries think they’ve got all the priority. Not surprising seeing as they’ve been using their size to bully their way round for decades…
In practice, there have been
In practice, there have been no Highway Code ‘changes’ and no change in driving behaviour. The latter is because the police, in practice, believe the former and they don’t care about the Highway Code anyway.
As always it depends how the
As always it depends how the questions are worded. I don’t mind lorry/bus drivers getting their ordering up to down wrong as long as they recognise they can do the most harm, so must take most care around the more vulnerable which is the point of the hierarchy.
Equally there’s more to the “cyclists and motorcyclists should not ride on the inside of vehicles signalling or slowing down to turn left” than just that rule which is about filtering. One of the new HC rules introduced says cyclists have priority to go straight ahead at junctions, and drivers turning left must check for cyclists before turning, or driving across cycle lanes, and its always been the case to never overtake a cyclist and then lefthook them. So which of those scenarios did the survey pose as the question the filter, the priority or the left hook ?
Even those who quote the HWC
Even those who quote the HWC can be immune from divining its intent. I’ve had people arguing in all seriousness that an overtaking car breaking the speed limit has priority because of a particular phrase about not obstructing someone who was overtaking. Everyone will tend to interpret it in their favour, but drivists do lean heavily on the guidance to cyclists to be aware of their vulnerability – and any time someone posts a video of a car pulling out causing a cyclist to have to take evasive action, you can guarantee there will be a post saying that cyclists shouldn’t complain because you could predict the unlawful driving.
I do think there is a vicious circle of declining standards driven by congestion – congestion made worse by obstructive parking and poor driving. The fact that 20mph areas are widely needed tells us a lot.
What’s not clear, from this
What’s not clear, from this article, is whether the respondents were totally unaware of the HC updates at all, or whether they simply misunderstand them (with, or without the aid of the “explanations” given on the internet or in the press).
Bus drivers don’t understand
Bus drivers don’t understand the highway code or the new hierarchy rule, I’m totally shocked by that revelation, oh wait.
“with bus and lorry drivers
“with bus and lorry drivers the least aware of the road hierarchy”
It is profoundly shocking that professional drivers can ignore the text that fundamentally governs their professional activitiy. Imagine traffic police officers ignore the texts they’re mandated to enforce…
marmotte27 wrote:
Or general police ignoring the laws saying “Don’t kidnap members of the public”…
Viz – good advice as always:
Viz – good advice as always:
The New HC came into force
The New HC came into force months before a printed edition was available. I read a preview online.
I then wrote to my MP that the changes need to be publicised.
He asked the Secretary of State for Transport, “what assessment he has made of the impact of the changes to the Highway Code implemented in January 2022 on (a) motorists (b) cyclists and (c) pedestrians.”
The reply was: “the amendments simply reinforce the good behaviours that we would expect every road user to adhere to and drivers should already be following the rules of the road. The changes will lead to improvements in road safety as they encourage more mutual respect and consideration for all road users.”
A factual awareness raising campaign ran February to March, alerting road users to the changes as they came into effect” and “A broader behaviour change campaign later in the year, to align with seasonal increases in active travel, to help embed the changes and encourage understanding and uptake of the new guidance”
I didn’t notice a campaign – did anyone?
I think the campaign was in
I think the campaign was in the form of press releases which then were put through the local and national press outrage mangler. There did not appear to be any direct, informed and unpolluted information campaign.
That’s far more of a
That’s far more of a reflection on the stupidity of most of the population than any shortcomings of the new HC guidelines.
I drive and I cycle. It’s not exactly frocket science to look when wanting to turn and give any cyclists or pedestrians priority.
look when wanting to turn and
look when wanting to turn and give any cyclists or pedestrians priority
No, it’s more of a reflection of ‘the police are on our side if we don’t, so why bother?’ So they carry on intimidating, knowing that there’s a zero chance of the police even thinking of enforcing any ‘HC changes’
I’d like to stick up for the
I’d like to stick up for the bus drivers and bin lorry drivers on the routes between Kendal and Staveley in particular and South Lakeland in general. Very rarely do they pass close to me on on my rides round the local area. I have on several occassions, when I have caught them up at the next bus stop, thanked them. Massive difference to my old commute in Birmingham where I am sure WUMPTE used to recruit from the blind institute where I often heard SMIDSY.
It’s not that they’re
It’s not that they’re confused; they just don’t care.