Drivers face major rule change TODAY as pedestrians get higher road power

MOTORISTS now have to give way to pedestrians in new places according to the new Highway Code rules.

The new rules come in to effect today, January 29, 2022 and mean pedestrians have slightly more power on the roads than before.

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Under the previous Highway Code, drivers only had to stop for pedestrians when they are using pelican or zebra crossings.

However, the new Highway Code's "hierarchy of road users" is set to change that.

The hierarchy ranks road users according who is the most vulnerable in risk of an accident.

Pedestrians top the list, followed by cyclists and horse riders shortly behind them.

Larger vehicles, such as HGVs, are at the bottom and much be extra vigilant of everyone else that is on the roads.

The new hierarchy of road users is:

1. Pedestrians
2. Cyclists
3. Horse Riders
4. Motorcyclists
5. Cars/Taxis
6. Vans/minibuses
7. Larger vehicles such as HGVs and buses

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All those below pedestrians must now give way in new places.

Pedestrians will now have priority when crossing the road at a junction.

Motorists will have to let them cross if they see them waiting, even if it slows down your journey.

This rule also applies if vehicles are stuck in traffic, or slowly moving, drivers must let pedestrians walk across the road.

The Highway Code rule says: "At a junction you should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning."

It's not just pedestrians that the rules will be changing for.

Cyclists will also have more power on the UK roads as they are high up in the hierarchy, below only pedestrians.

Any vehicles that are planning on turning left or right will have to give way to cyclists that are behind them and are planning to go straight on.

Motorists must also leave at least 1.5 metres of space when overtaking cyclists at speeds up to 30mph and extra space must be given at speeds of higher than 30mph.

There was previously no road position for cyclists in the Highway Code but under the new rules, cyclists must ride in the centre of the road.

Here's six major changes to the Highway Code in 2022.

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