Highway Code changes: New rules start at MIDNIGHT as drivers warned about eight laws on roundabouts and giving way
- How smart motorways and numbers plates will change this year
- The rule change that gives cyclists priority over drivers
THERE are major changes happening to the Highway Code at midnight tonight.
The new rules are split into three main categories and ultimately aim to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.
The biggest change is the new rule around a "hierarchy of vehicles", which means from midnight the more damage your vehicle can do, the more responsibility you have to ensure you don't put less-threatening road users at risk.
In essence this means car drivers now have much more responsibility to ensure cyclists' safety on the road, lorries have more responsibility to ensure they're not endangering car drivers and cyclists have more responsibility towards pedestrians.
Read our Highway Code live blog below for more rules and live updates...
Rules now in place
It is now midnight, so the new Highway Code rule changes are now in place.
Read the posts on our live blog below to catch up on exactly what's new.
New Highway Code rule that will impact car passengers
Vehicle passengers have been warned they're affected by the new road rules, too.
Passengers in the front and back seats are now advised to use the so-called "Dutch reach" method for opening their car door from the inside.
What is the method that passengers should now use?
The 'Dutch reach' means using the opposite arm to the side you're on.
For example, if you're in the front passenger seat, use your left hand to flick open the door.
This slight turn in your body's posture means you're much more likely to see cyclists coming towards your car.
Rule 239 of the new code states: "Where you are able to do so, you should open the door using your hand on the opposite side to the door you are opening.
"This will make you turn your head to look over your shoulder.
"You are then more likely to avoid causing injury to cyclists or motorcyclists passing you on the road, or to people on the pavement."
MOT fail for broken head lights
An annual MOT needs to be passed by all cars in the UK before they hit the road, unless they are less than three years old.
The test aims to ensure cars are in a good working condition to avoid putting drivers in potential danger.
Making sure your car is in a good enough condition to pass the test is essential, as it is illegal to drive without an MOT certificate and you could risk a huge fine.
For the car to pass an MOT, all components must be in working order – including headlights.
If for any reason, the headlights fail to work, or even show a wrong colour or point in a wrong direction, the car will immediately fail the MOT. This is not part of the new rules and was already in place.
A blown bulb may be the main reason this happens, so you should get it replaced as soon as possible.
Explained: The new Highway Code changes
The Highway Code is being revamped with changes kicking in from midnight.
There are a raft of new rules that all road users need to be aware of – or they risk fines and penalty points on their licence.
As part of the changes, both cyclists and pedestrians will get extra power on the roads.
Plus, vehicles will have to give way in new places.
We round up the rules you need to know about.
Will you be fined for breaking the new rules?
The Highway Code is being revamped with changes kicking in from January 29, 2022.
Drivers that break the new rules will not necessarily be fined for doing so, but they could be fined if breaching the rules results in you falling into any of the categories in the Highway Code penalty table.
The lists the possible offences drivers could commit with the maximum penalty and points that could be handed out.
Offences that could land you in prison
Driving while unfit through drink or drugs or with excess alcohol: or failing to provide a specimen for analysis
6 months’ imprisonment / Unlimited fine / Obligatory disqualification
3 to 11 points (if exceptionally not disqualified)
Failing to stop after an accident or failing to report an accident
6 months’ imprisonment / Unlimited fine / Discretionary disqualification
5 to 10 points
Driving while disqualified
6 months’ imprisonment (12 months in Scotland) / Unlimited fine / Discretionary disqualification
6 points
Driving after refusal or revocation of licence on medical grounds
6 months’ imprisonment / Unlimited fine / Discretionary disqualification
3 to 6 points
These have always been laws and are not part of the new changes
Roads minister ‘determined to make Britain’s roads safer still’
Roads minister Baroness Vere has released a statement on Saturday’s changes.
“I’m proud to say we have some of the safest roads in the world, but I’m determined to make them safer still for everyone.
“These updates to The Highway Code will do just that by bringing the rules into the 21st century,encouraging people to respect and consider the needs of those around them and ensuring all road-users know the rules of the road.”
Three offences that could land you in prison
Causing death by dangerous driving
14 years’ imprisonment / Unlimited fine / Obligatory disqualification (minimum 2 years)
3 to 11 points (if exceptionally not disqualified)
Causing death by careless driving under the influence of drink or drugs
14 years’ imprisonment / Unlimited fine / Obligatory disqualification (minimum 2 years)
3 to 11 (if exceptionally not disqualified)
Dangerous driving
2 years’ imprisonment / Unlimited fine / Obligatory disqualification
3 to 11 (if exceptionally not disqualified)
These have always been laws and are not part of the new changes
What are the rule changes?
The first change is to the "hierarchy of road users"; a concept that has been brought in to rank those who are at a higher risk in the event of an accident.
The next rule change is aimed at horse riders and cyclists too. If a pedestrian is waiting to cross at a junction and a driver is turning, they must give way to the pedestrian.
Another major change is around the clarity of where cyclists are able to ride on the road. Now, it is acceptable for cyclists to ride in the centre of the road, in some situations.
Next is the Dutch Reach; a safe way of opening your car door from the inside. If you are the driver, you must now reach across your chest with your left arm to open the door rather than using the hand nearest the door.
Finally, mobile phones are not allowed to be used at any point while at the wheel, including when stuck in traffic and when stopping at red lights. Taking photos and videos, scrolling through a playlist and playing games will also be prohibited.
The only exception to these changes is if you need to use your phone to pay for goods at a drive-through or paying for a toll, but only while the car is stationary.
Changes to the Highway Code are due to come into force at midnight, so it's important you're aware of them.
Explained: The new Highway Code changes
The Highway Code is being revamped with changes kicking in from midnight.
There are a raft of new rules that all road users need to be aware of – or they risk fines and penalty points on their licence.
As part of the changes, both cyclists and pedestrians will get extra power on the roads.
Plus, vehicles will have to give way in new places.
We round up the rules you need to know about.
Will you be fined for breaking the new rules?
The Highway Code is being revamped with changes kicking in from January 29, 2022.
Drivers that break the new rules will not necessarily be fined for doing so, but they could be fined if breaching the rules results in you falling into any of the categories in the Highway Code penalty table.
The lists the possible offences drivers could commit with the maximum penalty and points that could be handed out.
Can I charge an electric car at home?
Yes, owners have always been able to charge their cars at home.
You'll need an existing regular plug socket or a wall-box home charging unit.
These charging units, made especially for electric vehicles, deliver around 7kW of power and will charge your car up three times faster than using a regular plug socket.
You’ll need to pay to install one, but a government grant will fund up to 75 per cent of the cost of purchase, up to a maximum value of £350.
Charging units cost around £800, according to the RAC - which means you'll need to stump up the rest of the cash needed to get one fitted.
You'll also need off-road parking like a driveway or garage to charge the car up - this is because running wires across streets means walkers could be at risk of tripping over and councils may have an issue with this.
New advice for electric car drivers
The revised Highway Code, which comes into effect tomorrow, will advise electric car drivers on how to safely use the charging points.
Rule 239 of The Highway Code explains what drivers should do if they have to stop roadside.
This has now been revised to include guidance on using electric vehicle charging points that are by the kerb.
Electric car charging points are dotted all around the country with some also inside street lights.
However, if not used carefully, they can cause a hazard.
Rule 239 will now say: "When using an electric vehicle charge point, you should park close to the charge point and avoid creating a trip hazard for pedestrians from trailing cables.
"Display a warning sign if you can. After using the charge point, you should return charging cables and connectors neatly to minimise the danger to pedestrians and avoid creating an obstacle for other road users."
Huge Highway Code changes coming THIS SATURDAY
Cyclists will now have more priority on the roads than ever before.
Motorists will now need to be extra vigilant of cyclists around them and give way at places they have never needed to before.
This is due to the new “hierarchy of road users” that is being introduced, ranking road users on how vulnerable they are if there was to be an accident.
Ten things YOU should know as a car owner
- When is your MOT due? Find out here
- When is your car tax due? Find out here
- Is it illegal to drive barefoot?
- How many units can you drink and drive?
- What do dashboard warning lights mean?
- Is it illegal to drive without road tax?
- Can you be fined for breaking the highway code?
- How to change the address on your driving licence
- What does MOT stand for?
- Is it illegal to park across someone’s driveway?
Explained: The new Highway Code changes
The Highway Code is being revamped with changes kicking in from midnight.
There are a raft of new rules that all road users need to be aware of – or they risk fines and penalty points on their licence.
As part of the changes, both cyclists and pedestrians will get extra power on the roads.
Plus, vehicles will have to give way in new places.
We round up the rules you need to know about.
Keep your tyres pumped up at all times
Deflated tyres could be dangerous to drive in regardless of what the weather is doing.
A common motoring myth is that flat tyres give you better traction in the snow – but this isn’t true.
A properly inflated tyre will have more grip on the road, preventing skidding and letting you brake in good time.
During the colder months, tyres can lose pressure much more quickly.
You can find the correct pressure your tyres should be inflated to in your manual or the driver’s side door.
Don’t forget to check the tread too – it needs to be a minimum of 1.6mm deep across three-quarters of the tyre’s width, and experts recommend 3mm to be on the safe side.
Having bald tyres could get you a fine of £2,500 per tyre – that’s £10,000 if all four tyres don’t meet the rules.
The RAC recommends checking your tyres at least once a week during the winter.
Waze creating push notifications on highway code changes
To help in addressing this problem, community-based traffic and navigation app Waze will be sending out push notifications to help drivers stay informed of these latest rule changes and be aware of cyclists on the road.
The UK Country manager for Waze, Ru Roberts, has said: “The overhaul of the Highway Code may come as a surprise to some road users this week, requiring motorists to refresh their road safety knowledge.
"The revamped code introduces a hierarchy on the roads which means those who pose the greatest risk to others have a higher level of responsibility.
"While it applies to all road users, those in the driving seat will more often than not be left with the greatest responsibility.
"Through in-app alerts and notifications, Waze helps our users stay informed about what's happening on the roads around them. With the latest updates to the Highway Code coming into effect on Saturday, we're reminding drivers to be particularly aware of cyclists on the road.”
Some of the new, additional or amended text for the Highway Code 2021
Rule 91 - Get sufficient sleep before embarking on a long journey.
If you feel sleepy, stop in a safe place. Do not stop in an emergency area or on a hard shoulder of a motorway.
Rule 138 - On a dual carriageway with three or more lanes, you may use the middle lanes or the righthand lane to overtake but you should return to the middle lanes and then the left-hand lane when it is safe to do so.
Rule 264 - Keep in the left lane unless overtaking. If you are overtaking, you should return to the left lane when it is safe to do so.
Rule 266 - Approaching a junction. Look well ahead for signals, signs and road markings.
Read more rules here.
Explained: The new Highway Code changes (Continued...)
Pedestrians will have priority on pavements and at zebra crossings.
A new rule makes clear that at a junction, drivers should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which, or out of which, they are turning.
Cyclists will have priority at junctions when travelling straight ahead.
And there is also guidance on safe passing distances and speeds.
The new Code makes it clear that 20mph speed limits must not be exceeded by drivers.
Also:
- Electric vehicle drivers are advised to park close to charge points and avoid cables creating trip hazards.
- Cyclists should give room when passing pedestrians on shared cycle paths.
For motorists who get annoyed with middle lane hogging on motorways, a tweak to the rules in 2021 says "you should return to the middle lanes and then the left-hand lane when it is safe to do so".
The Code already runs to more than 150 pages with over 300 rules.
The aim of the changes is also to improve guidance for drivers using motorways, including what to do during a breakdown or incident.
This follows concern over dozens of fatalities on so-called smart motorways, where there is no hard shoulder or the hard shoulder can be converted to live traffic.
What are the new Highway Code rules 2021?
The new version of the Highway Code includes a "hierarchy of road users".
This will ensure that people who can cause the most harm in a collision, such as those in vehicles, bear the "greatest responsibility to reduce the danger they may pose to others".
So, a lorry driver will have a greater responsibility to those driving a car or motorcycle, and likewise people cycling would have a greater responsibility than pedestrians.
The hierarchy will be, in order of priority: pedestrians; cyclists; horse riders; motorcyclists; cars/taxis; vans/minibuses, with large passenger and heavy goods vehicles at the bottom.
AA accuses Gov. of not telling people about new rules
The AA accused the Government of being "far too silent" on the changes, but the Department for Transport (DfT) insisted it will ensure "all road users are aware".
AA head of roads policy Jack Cousens said: "With a week to go, too many drivers are unaware of the new rules of the road.
"While the Government formally announced these changes last summer, they have been far too silent in promoting them.
"Shockingly, one in 25 drivers say they have no intention of looking at the new rules.
"These changes affect everyone, so we encourage people to read the updated code now so we can make our roads safer."
New rules: Priority over turning cars
Drivers will now have to wait for cyclists to pass them before they are able to turn into an oncoming junction.
Motorists previously had right of way when turning into a junction, but now they must be more aware of those on the roads with them.
Pedestrians and horse riders will also be given the same rights as a cyclist when it comes to turning cars.
You could be fined for using your phone in the car
DRIVERS are facing tougher punishments for using a phone while driving.
Rule 149 in the current version of The Highway Code says: "You MUST NOT use a hand-held mobile phone, or similar device, when driving or when supervising a learner driver, except to call 999 or 112 in a genuine emergency when it is unsafe or impractical to stop."
But under the new version, The Highway Code will change to reflect that using a phone at the wheel will be strictly prohibited.
This includes using your mobile while stuck in traffic or when stopping at a red light.
Those drivers that like to snap pictures, take videos, play games and scroll through playlists will also be at risk of a fine.
Being caught with your phone while driving is punishable with a £200 fine and six penalty points on your licence.
