MAJOR Highway Code changes are coming in to force this evening, with drivers, cyclists and pedestrians urged to brush up the new rules.
The new rules are essentially designed to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders, by targeting larger vehicles with a swathe of new rules.
The biggest Highway Code rule change is the new "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.
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.
What that means in reality is that you have ultimate responsibility to ensure you don't increase the risk for every vehicle above yours in the list.
Read our Highway Code live blog below for the latest updates…
- Milica Cosic
Explained: What is the "Dutch reach" method?
That means using the opposite arm to the side you're on.
For example, if you're in the front passenger seat, use your right 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.
It's got the unusual name because the Netherlands is famously a cycling-friendly country, so drivers have been practising it for years.
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."
- Milica Cosic
Explained: The Highway Code wording
MUST/MUST NOT – Legal requirements, and you’re committing a criminal offence if you disobey these rules.
Should/Should not/ Do/Do not – Advisory wording, and may be used in evidence in court proceedings to establish liability.
- Milica Cosic
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.
- John Hall
ules 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.
- John Hall
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.”
- John Hall
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.
- John Hall
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.
- John Hall
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 penalty table lists the possible offences drivers could commit with the maximum penalty and points that could be handed out.
- John Hall
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
- John Hall
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.”
- John Hall
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
- John Hall
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.
- John Hall
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.
- John Hall
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 penalty table lists the possible offences drivers could commit with the maximum penalty and points that could be handed out.
- John Hall
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.
- John Hall
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.”
- John Hall
Huge Highway Code changes coming TONIGHT
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.
- John Hall
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.
- John Hall
New Highway Code rules blasted as ‘dangerous and divisive’
Angry drivers reckon it gives bikers free rein to break the rules. And the Government are under fire from all sides for not publicising the shift.
Howard Cox, the co-founder of FairFuel UK has said: "My view is that these new rules will put lives at risk rather than make our roads safer.
"The guidance that drivers should keep a minimum of 1.5 metres from a cyclist when overtaking doesn’t take account of speed and conditions.
"Motorists will be beholden to a new code most of them do not even know about.
"These new rules are not fair to drivers. In a consultation of 21,000 people, 16,000 came from the cycle lobby.
"We should work together to find a code that is fair for all road users, not just cyclists."
Read the article in full here.
- John Hall
When do the new Highway Code rules take place?
It's important to know that the new Highway Code comes into effect tonight.
At midnight, the new Highway Code comes into effect.
- John Hall
Can you be fined for "dooring" a cyclist?
If you fail to do this and accidentally swing the door open onto an approaching cyclist, you could be fined up to £1,000.
"Dooring" can cause serious injuries to cyclists, so make sure you stay on the right side of the law – and use the correct hand – when the new Highway Code comes into effect this weekend.
- John Hall
Explained: What is the "Dutch reach" method?
That means using the opposite arm to the side you're on.
For example, if you're in the front passenger seat, use your right 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.
It's got the unusual name because the Netherlands is famously a cycling-friendly country, so drivers have been practising it for years.
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."
- John Hall
New rule that will impact car passengers
DRIVERS aren't the only ones affected by the new Highway Code – there's a rule that will affect passengers too.
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.
- John Hall
Explained: The Highway Code wording
MUST/MUST NOT – Legal requirements, and you’re committing a criminal offence if you disobey these rules.
Should/Should not/ Do/Do not – Advisory wording, and may be used in evidence in court proceedings to establish liability.
- John Hall
Explained: Highway Code
The Highway Code is a set of information, rules, laws advice and guides that road users in the United Kingdom must follow.
The Highway Code’s objective is to promote road safety and the Code applies to all road users including pedestrians, horse riders, cyclists, motorcyclists and drivers.
Many of the rules are laws and if you are caught breaking them you could land yourself a fine.
The Highway Code Official websites says: “Many of the rules in The Highway Code are legal requirements, and if you disobey these rules you are committing a criminal offence.
“You may be fined, given penalty points on your licence or be disqualified from driving. In the most serious cases you may be sent to prison. Such rules are identified by the use of the words ‘MUST/MUST NOT’.”
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