Bott and Co welcome a major shake-up of The Highway Code that is set to see positive change for vulnerable road users i.e. cyclists and pedestrians, and their safety.
Whose Right Of Way?
One of the issues being clarified concerns what drivers should do at junctions when turning, and whose right of way it is, as currently the rules are unclear.
Charity Cycling UK states that two thirds of collisions involving cyclists occur at junctions, therefore it is paramount that new initiatives tackle this.
As it stands, Rule 170 of the Highway Code sets out that pedestrians have right of way “if they have started to cross”, but lacks any mention of what should happen if a pedestrian is about to step off the pavement as a driver is planning to turn.
If the UK was to rule that pedestrians have priority when crossing the road, it would be following the example of the US, where this rule is already in place.
In a bid to eliminate any risks to safety, the Department for Transport (DfT) wants to make changes to the Code that state more definitive answers to these crucial questions.
Avid cyclists believe that stricter rules will enforce more uniform behaviour, i.e. all motorists will be forced to give right of way to cyclists and pedestrians, rather than some waiting and others driving onwards. This would clear any confusion and provide a more cohesive Highway Code.
If the UK was to rule that pedestrians have priority when crossing the road, it would be following the example of the US, where this rule is already in place.
Going Dutch
Another concern amongst cyclists is “dooring”, i.e. being knocked off their bike by somebody opening their car door.
A viable way to tackle this is by adopting “The Dutch Reach”, which involves opening the car door with the hand furthest away from the handle so that the driver looks out for passing cyclists over their shoulder.
In 2016, the issue of dooring was highlighted when Transport Secretary Chris Grayling accidentally knocked a cyclist while leaving a car.
Such momentum surrounding cycling safety will surely come as positive news to road safety campaigners. Indeed, change certainly needs to take place: there were very sadly 101 cyclist deaths in 2017.
“The Dutch Reach” is a technique that involves opening the car door with the hand that is furthest away from the handle (usually the left hand), so that the driver ensures they are looking out for passing cyclists by looking over their shoulder.
Nicholas Lyse, head of roads policy at RAC, reflects on this the Dutch Reach: “We support the introduction of the ‘Dutch Reach’ principle to The Highway Code, a small change every motorist can make when exiting their vehicle that can make a huge difference to the safety of passing cyclists.”
Overtaking too closely?
Another issue due to be tackled is that of close overtakes. Cycling UK wants defined parameters to be set so that drivers cannot overtake cyclists too close to them.
Currently, the charity takes issue with the fact that “safe distance” is very relative; what may seem safe to a driver protected within a vehicle may contrast starkly to a cyclist’s understanding of it, as cyclists are more vulnerable and subject to less protection and changes in the wind.
Keir Gallagher, Campaigns Officer at Cycling UK supports this: “A driver’s understanding of what qualifies as ‘too close’, sitting safely within their metal box with seat belts, roll cages and air bags, will likely be very different from that of a cyclist.”
No Space For An “Us Vs. Them” Attitude
However, Nicholas from RAC is keen to emphasise that the matter shouldn’t be reduced to an “us vs them” situation between drivers and cyclists. He makes the point that actually, 20% of car drivers were also regular cyclists.
He also shared his approval of the government’s decision to amend The Highway Code: “With increasing numbers of cyclists and drivers on the roads, it is important the road space is shared safely to prevent collisions, injuries and even fatalities.”
If everybody worked collectively towards positive safety awareness and actions, it would make travelling on the roads, by whatever mode, much more seamless.
Tony Tierney, Legal Manager at Bott and Co and avid cyclist says, “These policy changes should be brought in at the earliest opportunity. In respect of the ‘us v them’ attitude, as a cyclist I do think there is more we can do to educate other road users too.
“I am often tailgated for a while as drivers wait for a safe place to overtake. I always make an effort to acknowledge the driver and show appreciation for their patience; I think this goes a long way in trying to change attitude and awareness.”