Changes to the Highway Code 2022

According to the DfT (Provisional Department for Transport), in the year up to June 2021, 4,290 pedestrians and 4,700 cyclists were killed or seriously injured on Britain´s roads. In the Summer of 2021, the Government set out proposals to amend the Highway Code, giving cyclists more priority, which come into effect on 29th January 2022.

The main changes to the Highway Code are:

1. Cars must now leave at least 1.5 metres room when passing bicycles.
2. Bicycles are encouraged to ride two abreast, as it can be safer to do so.
3. On quiet roads and streets, cyclists are also being encouraged to ride in the centre of the lane, moving over to the left if a faster vehicle approaches them from behind, and only if it is safe to do so.
4. Drivers also need to be aware of pedestrians waiting to cross a road when they are turning into a road. Pedestrians now have priority when waiting to cross and drivers need to give way.
5. Drivers also need to be aware of cyclists and not turn left if a cyclist is on the inside of them going straight ahead. This is to avoid ´left hook collisions´.
6. Cyclists have priority at roundabouts too and should be allowed to advance without fear of being cut up.
7. A further recommendation is given to opening car doors. It is advised that people should use the Dutch Reach technique, where the person uses their arm furthest away from the door to open it, leading them to look over their shoulder as they do so. This is to reduce the risk of opening a door into the path of a passing cyclist.

A third of motorists polled for the AA were unaware of the new changes, 13,700 drivers were questioned between 8th and 18th January 2022. It is currently unknown how these changes will affect driving tests and driver trainer organisations such as the MSA are looking into this.

For more information on the changes please refer to the Government Table of Changes document:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1037306/table-of-change-to-the-highway-code.pdf

https://www.driving-lesson.co.uk