The NFU is preparing a response to the consultation and is gathering opinions from members.
Give us your views
If you would like to contribute to the NFU's consultation response, please email your views to Thomas Price no later than 29 September 2020.
Click here to download and read the DfT's Highway Code consultation document on the Gov.uk website.
If you wish, you can also respond directly to the consultation online.
What changes are being proposed?
The aims of the changes are to:
1.Introduce a hierarchy of road users which ensures that those road users who can do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger or threat they may pose to others.
Proposed new rules include:
- Rule H1: To ensure road users that can do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the risk. The aim is to ensure a more mutually respectful culture of safe and effective road use for all.
- Rule H2: To create clearer and stronger priorities for pedestrians particularly at junctions and to clarify where pedestrians have right of way.
- Rule H3: Which places a requirement on drivers to give priority to cyclists when they are turning into or out of a junction or changing lane just as they would to other motor vehicles.
2. Clarify existing rules on pedestrian priority on pavements and that drivers and riders should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross the road.
Changes include:
- A responsibility for drivers and riders to give way to pedestrians waiting to cross a side road or junction or waiting to cross at a zebra crossing
3. Establish guidance on safe passing distances and speeds when overtaking cyclists or horse riders and ensuring that they have priority at junctions when travelling straight ahead.
Changes include:
- Advice on cyclist behaviour, safe riding, and recommended procedures for cycling at roundabouts and road positioning
- Reinforced guidance to drivers of motorised vehicles when to give way to pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders
- Minimum distances when over taking motor bikes, cyclists, horses, and horse drawn vehicles
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