This is the latest copy of the DVSAs official Highway Code Updated July 2022 with changes to the laws on the use of mobile phones, the Hierarchy of Road Users & information about self-driving vehicles. Its updated regularly, so its important that everyone reads it - not just learner drivers. The previous rule 76 about the correct procedure at roundabouts has moved to rule 78. Once you have passed your driving or riding test, it's all too easy to fall into 'bad habits' and to forget the rules of the road. as an alternative to calling 999, there is the availability of an SOS button in some vehicles for contacting the emergency services The changes were made to The Highway Code on Saturday 29 January 2022. other places of relative safety on motorways and other high-speed roads include lay-bys, emergency areas and hard shoulders The Highway Code From: Department for Transport Published 1 October 2015 Updated: 27 July 2022, see all updates Contents The Highway Code is essential reading for all road users, including. Rules for cyclists, including an overview, road junctions, roundabouts and crossing the road. Updated Rule 255 to improve wording and layout. launched a campaign to shift attitudes and encourage safer driving. Information about first aid on the road, including dealing with danger, getting help, helping those involved, and providing emergency care. Updated to clarify that you MUST have white front and red rear lights lit when cycling at night. on motorways and other high-speed roads, the safest place to stop is a service area So if Im asked I wont give the wrong answer. Updated Rule 266 to ensure readers understand: road markings may also be used to indicate directions on the approach to some junctions. drivers should leave extra space between themselves and a vehicle that is displaying amber flashing lights. Hi Diane, the official Highway Code is published by the Driving Standards Agency. Hi Steve, I presume that common sense would suggest that passing a cyclist on the inside would need the same amount of room as when passing on the outside. The updated code confirms that people cycling may pass slower-moving or stationary traffic on their right or left. There are considerable new changes in legislation coming into play in 2022; these changes include parking practice in certain areas, clean air zones, and important new rules on mobile phone usage. The hierarchy places those road users most at risk in the event of a collision at the top of the hierarchy. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. Added a new section about the self-driving vehicles. There were more 21,000 responses to this consultation , with most people in favor of the proposed changes . Rules for waiting and parking, including rules on parking at night and decriminalised parking enforcement. 27 July 2022, see all updates. Updated Rule 253 to ensure readers understand: provisional car licence holders can only drive on the motorway when they are accompanied by an approved driving instructor and are driving a car displaying red L plates (or D plates in Wales) with dual controls. campaign is run by the Department for Transport. Updated rule 1 to include reference to footways, and to add guidance about remaining aware of your environment and avoiding unnecessary distractions. Changes to The Highway Code, including the hierarchy of road-users and the 'Dutch Reach' are set to change from 29 January 2022. 08:40, Sun, Jan 30, 2022 | UPDATED: 09:49, Sun, Jan 30, 2022. News stories, speeches, letters and notices, Reports, analysis and official statistics, Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports. What are the changes to the Highway Code? The previous rule 75 about dual carriageways has moved to rule 77. The Highway I would also suggest that you exercise common sense and judgement when passing cyclists at higher speeds. Specific definitions of this term are difficult to agree on and have varied with literature, context, and time. the importance of using the SOS phone in emergency areas the hard shoulder can only be used as an extra lane when a speed limit is shown. Last modified on Thu 30 Dec 2021 13.36 EST. . The App covers everything you need to know about driving safely in the UK. The updated code explains that people cycling should: You may cross a double-white line if necessary (provided the road is clear) to overtake someone cycling or riding a horse if they are travelling at 10 mph or less (Rule 129). Picketing, as long as it does not cause obstruction to a highway or intimidation, is legal in many countries and in line with freedom of assembly laws, but many countries have restrictions on the use of picketing.. Updated rule 186 on signals and position at roundabouts to give priority to cyclists in certain situations. All updates made after 1 October 2015 will show on this list as and when theyre made. Two new driving laws set to launch from January 2022 as part of massive rules shake-up NEW driving laws will come into effect throughout 2022, but some of the biggest changes on the road are set . Electric vehicle drivers will be pleased to know that this 0 per cent rate will continue throughout 2023 and 2025. Millions of children in England have been taught how to interact positively with other road users, thanks to Bikeability cycle training. The levy was suspended for UK-registered HGVs during the pandemic, and extended for another year in August 2022. The previous rule 74 (about turning right at junctions) has been merged into this rule. You can order a copy of The Highway Code book online or buy a copy from most high street bookshops. If the nearest space is on your right, then stop before reaching this so that the other driver can move into it when they reach you. These rules came into effect on Saturday 1st January, and for drivers who don't keep up to date with the highway code, you could potentially face . You can change your cookie settings at any time. having been a lorry driver and trainer for 46 years. at the start and finish of contraflow systems in road works, there may be areas of adverse camber; drivers need to slow down and leave extra space when these areas are signed Changes to the Highway Code have been proposed to improve road safety for more vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians, who are most likely to get injured in an accident. Vehicle maintenance, safety and security. Added guidance about using devices to make contactless payments. Renumbered rule 78 about the correct procedure at roundabouts (it was previously rule 76). Guidance for Northern Ireland. 2015 The rule concerning throwing objects out of a vehicle is changed from shouldn't to mustn't. It becomes illegal to smoke in a car containing anyone under . The Code covers rules for everyone, pedestrians, riders, drivers & cyclists. The Highway Code is essential reading for all road users, and not just those who are about to take their driving test! Information and rules about penalties, including points and disqualification, a penalty table, new drivers and other consequences of offending. . It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Check benefits and financial support you can get, Find out about the Energy Bills Support Scheme, public consultation on a review of The Highway Code to improve road safety for people walking, cycling and riding horses, Rule 206 (Road users requiring extra care), Rule 213 (Road users requiring extra care), Rule 212 (Road users requiring extra care), Rule 215 (Road users requiring extra care), Rule 211 (Road users requiring extra care), read the full updated version of The Highway Code, order an updated copy of The Highway Code book, Review of The Highway Code to improve road safety for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders, understand their responsibility for the safety of others, when people are crossing or waiting to cross at a junction, other traffic should give way, if people have started crossing and traffic wants to turn into the road, the people crossing have priority and the traffic should give way, people driving, riding a motorcycle or cycling must give way to people on a zebra crossing and people walking and cycling on a parallel crossing, not pass people walking, riding a horse or driving a horse-drawn vehicle closely or at high speed, particularly from behind, slow down when necessary and let people walking know they are there (for example, by ringing their bell), remember that people walking may be deaf, blind or partially sighted, riding in the centre of their lane on quiet roads, in slower-moving traffic and at the approach to junctions or road narrowings, keeping at least 0.5 metres (just over 1.5 feet) away from the kerb edge (and further where it is safer) when riding on busy roads with vehicles moving faster than them, should be considerate of the needs of other road users when riding in groups, can ride 2 abreast - and it can be safer to do so, particularly in larger groups or when accompanying children or less experienced riders, take care when passing parked vehicles, leaving enough room (a doors width or 1 metre) to avoid being hit if a car door is opened, watch out for people walking into their path, leaving at least 1.5 metres (5 feet) when overtaking people cycling at speeds of up to 30mph, and giving them more space when overtaking at higher speeds, passing people riding horses or driving horse-drawn vehicles at speeds under 10 mph and allowing at least 2 metres (6.5 feet) of space, allowing at least 2 metres (6.5 feet) of space and keeping to a low speed when passing people walking in the road (for example, where theres no pavement), when deciding whether it is safe to pass lorries or other large vehicles, avoid being overtaken where this would be dangerous, stage 1 - when the traffic lights turn green, go straight ahead to the location marked by a cycle symbol and turn arrow on the road, and then stop and wait, stage 2 - when the traffic lights on the far side of the junction (now facing the people cycling) turn green, complete the manoeuvre, not attempt to overtake people cycling within that persons lane, allow people cycling to move across their path as they travel around the roundabout, people cycling or riding a motorcycle passing on the road, park close to the charge point and avoid creating a trip hazard for people walking from trailing cables, return charging cables and connectors neatly to minimise the danger to other people and avoid creating an obstacle for other road users, buy an updated copy of The Highway Code book at most high street bookshops. . 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