New Highway Code rules will 'increase conflict between road users'

Motorists have given a damning verdict on changes to the Highway Code that have been proposed by the Department for Transport. The update looks set to include new rules designed to improve road safety for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders with a revolutionary 'Hierarchy of Road Users' concept. Highway Code update: Changes being made to the guidelines will see 'increase in conflict between road users', a safety charity has warned IAM RoadSmart surveyed 3,600 car drivers and motorcycle riders and found that 71 per cent believe the new proposals will cause more issues between factions of road users, such as the often spiky relationship between cyclists and car drivers, especially in cities. A hierarchy scheme would means drivers could potentially be issued with fines if they cut across riders when turning into a junction or changing lanes The hierarchy doesn't just include vehicle users; it also means that cyclists and horse riders will have a responsibility to pedestrians if there are no cars nearby Neil Greig, policy and research director at IAM RoadSmart, said that whatever changes are made, law makers must prioritise education as motorists who don't adhere to the updated guidelines could, in theory, face unlimited fines for careless driving. 'The simple truth is that most of us don’t read the Highway Code Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart 'Regardless of what changes are introduced, it is clear there will be a need for a huge education campaign to ensure any amendments to the Highway Code are understood and fully adopted by the millions of existing UK drivers, motorcyclists and road users,' he said.