WARNING = Highway Code Changes - A disaster in the making

[diy_fun_uk]

Okay I'm stating the obvious, one of the main reasons changes like this cause and create issues is due to the sheer amount of drivers on the road that are poor drivers, whether that means lack of spatial awareness and/or impatience and/or being quite happy to break the law.

Before you ask in a sarcastic manner, no, I'm not a perfect driver nor would I profess to be. However what I can say with absolute certainty is the amount of impatience on the roads is increasing. Drivers darting around in built up areas, glaring at you and/or tailgating you if you dare to drive near never mind on the speed limit. Slow down to turn into another street?!? How dare you!!! Drive at 30 in a 30 zone?!? How dare you!!! Pull out at a roundabout that I'm driving around like a rally driver thus impeding my progress?!? How dare you!!!

I have absolutely no issue adhering to rule changes like this, what I have issue with is my stress levels being challenged by the tw*ts driving behind me that do not have patience in their vocabulary. The ones that really crack me up are those that give you 'the stare' because you slowed down to enter another street. Do they expect you to defy the laws of physics and take the 90 degree turn at 30-40 mph?

I've said it before, if everyone just slowed down a bit, much of the issues raised in this thread simply wouldn't arise.

Many are also complete hypocrites when it comes to driving. How many do 30+ in a 20 zone? Try driving at 20 in a 20 zone, you're almost guaranteed to have a tailback behind you. However, I wonder how those that feel it's acceptable to do 30 in a 20 would feel if one of their nearest/dearest was killed by someone driving at excessive speed in a 20 zone? Would they say 'a well, I do it, so I have no anger towards the driver and hope they face no consequences.'

 

[Justin Passing]

Something to be said for the Australian system. Biggest gets right of way. (Think Road Trains) So if you're vulnerable, remember it, and behave like it. Then you don't get hurt.

On the whole people there are pretty polite & respectful, it works quite well from what I found. Crazy rules and regs - a relatively outback road can have a 50kmh limit for no reason at all.


--


If I were riding a bike in the UK I wouldn't go up the inside of a truck turning left - simple. Even with a law protecting me. The slightest human error and I'd be squashed regardless.

Where do electric scooters come - I suppose they're "bicycles"?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

No they have not and that is a fact.

I've seen many drivers mostly of one sex stop in the middle of the main road to let a woman with a pram/kids cross the road. This can lead to accidents as tailgaters can crash into you or the vehicle on the other side may not want to stop and cause an accident.

Pedestrians have a right of way at official crossings and where signage clearly states so and nowhere else.

Then we will have to disagree on that point.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

http://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/uploads/3/2/9/2/3292309/the_official_highway_code_-_21-10-2017.pdf

Thought so...

8. Atajunction.Whencrossingtheroad,lookoutfortrafficturning
intotheroad,especiallyfrombehindyou.Ifyouhavestarted
crossingandtrafficwantstoturnintotheroad,youhavepriority
andtheyshouldgiveway(see Rule170)


170. Takeextracareatjunctions.Youshould
● Watchoutforpedestrianscrossingaroadintowhichyou
areturning.Iftheyhavestartedtocrosstheyhavepriority,
sogiveway

 

[motorbiking]

I saw this article also and firstly those pictures have never existed in the Highway Code. Drivers never have priority over pedestrians. The previous advise was to remind drivers to be cautious about the risk of pedestrians crossing side roads. Telling cyclists to ride centrally in the lane is not a universally safe thing to do. But my conclusion is that article is designed to cause outrage.

a driver will typically cop liability for an accident with a pedestrian even if they cross on a red man, if the driver could have stopped. Now if the pedestrian aren’t paying attention and on their mobile while crossing or crossing against the light there will be a contributory negligence angle which will impact their compensation claim.

 

[crystal ball]

Something to be said for the Australian system. Biggest gets right of way. (Think Road Trains) So if you're vulnerable, remember it, and behave like it. Then you don't get hurt.

On the whole people there are pretty polite & respectful, it works quite well from what I found. Crazy rules and regs - a relatively outback road can have a 50kmh limit for no reason at all.


--


If I were riding a bike in the UK I wouldn't go up the inside of a truck turning left - simple. Even with a law protecting me. The slightest human error and I'd be squashed regardless.

Where do electric scooters come - I suppose they're "bicycles"?

Not many road trains on suburban streets where most people drive

 

[cwhaley]

This doesn't seem to be much of a change to existing rules as I'm sure others have stated. If a pedestrian as already crossing a road as a vehicle intends to join it, then the pedestrian has right of way so I presume the change means that a car must give way to a pedestrian waiting to cross?

The golden rule (in countless situations) is to slow down. Too many drivers sit up the ar*e of other drivers or fly into roundabouts before complaining that a car has pulled out on them. Zero forward-planning or anticipation.

 

[IT Minion]

The rules on pedestrians at junctions is a big change.

It'll probably take a long while for it to filter through to day to day life and even then as a pedestrian I'll be treating them like zebra crossings and waiting for cars to show they're slowing down.

 

[The Samaritan]

Obviously you cannot read properly, by the way what is an ELIET?

Resorting to petty insults shows you not only was wrong and lost the argument and are in denial but you are someone
that is weak, hence your comments.

Your link referred to the current rules and not the new rules and anyone with more than a brain cell can see how the rules differ re pedestrians crossing the road and vehicles turning left

 

[The Samaritan]

This doesn't seem to be much of a change to existing rules as I'm sure others have stated. If a pedestrian as already crossing a road as a vehicle intends to join it, then the pedestrian has right of way so I presume the change means that a car must give way to a pedestrian waiting to cross?

.

Exactly that.
As per my OP, I at times may lightly/polite tap on my 4x4 horn to make aware the pedestrians approach the kerb at full speed not being aware of their environment/etc in the hope they wake up to what is around them this can also apply to me turning right ie the horn tap.

New rules, you have to give way to them even if they are not in the road BUT LEFT TURN ONLY. The possibilities of the impatient clowns driving into the backside are great.

WARNING: The above refers to vehicles turning left only and left side of the pavement NOT the right side or you turning RIGHT

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Your link referred to the current rules and not the new rules and anyone with more than a brain cell can see how the rules differ re pedestrians crossing the road and vehicles turning left

Resorting to petty insults shows you not only was wrong and lost the argument and are in denial but you are someone
that is weak, hence your comments.

Just sayin ....

 

[The Samaritan]

The rules on pedestrians at junctions is a big change.

It'll probably take a long while for it to filter through to day to day life and even then as a pedestrian I'll be treating them like zebra crossings and waiting for cars to show they're slowing down.

Sadly true most of thOSE can't be bothered drivers BUT those on the ball like me will be paying a hefty price


YOU JUST COULD NOT MAKE IT UP: These new rules/updates come into play on Saturday but the gov sponsored advertising does not start until mid-Februaury

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Exactly that.
As per my OP, I at times may lightly/polite tap on my 4x4 horn to make aware the pedestrians approach the kerb at full speed not being aware of their environment/etc in the hope they wake up to what is around them this can also apply to me turning right ie the horn tap.

So playing devils advocate assuming the pedestrian was stone deaf and doesn't hear you would you plow into them?

 

[The Samaritan]

So playing devils advocate assuming the pedestrian was stone deaf and doesn't hear you would you plow into them?

You are not playing the "devils advocate" you are stirring if you really think me turning at a slow steady speed will run over someone if they did not move when i was turning

Importantly, I have made others aware in this thread regarding poss visual, auditory challenges.

 

[The Samaritan]

FYI - even before the 20mph rules i drove a lot slower in narrow side streets lots of cars parked. Speed limits are that LIMITS and not the mandatory speed you travel at on side roads I drive at about 5mph at times as people often swing open car door doors without bothering to look and humans and animals can run between parked cars/etc