Drivers Remain Uncertain About Highway Code Changes Aimed at Pedestrian Safety, Reveals RAC Research
New research from the RAC has highlighted that 51% of drivers in the UK still feel uncertain about the impact of changes to the Highway Code introduced two years ago on pedestrian safety. These findings come as part of the RAC’s Report on Motoring, released on the second anniversary of the implementation of these changes.
One of the most significant amendments to the Highway Code advises drivers to give way to pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders when turning into or out of a junction. This rule is part of a new hierarchy of road users designed to enhance the safety of the most vulnerable individuals. This means that those who can potentially cause the most harm, such as large goods and passenger vehicles, vans, minibuses, cars, taxis, and motorcycles, now bear the greatest responsibility to minimize the danger they pose to others.
However, the RAC’s research reveals that not only do the majority of drivers feel uncertain about whether these changes have improved road safety for pedestrians, but only 18% believe that the new rules have indeed increased pedestrian safety. Alarmingly, 31% of drivers even think that pedestrians face greater danger at junctions since the new measures were introduced.
The RAC’s findings indicate that the confusion surrounding the impact of these changes is primarily due to the message not effectively reaching drivers. While Highway Code Rule 170 explicitly states that drivers should yield to pedestrians when turning at junctions, less than a quarter (23%) of drivers claim they consistently follow this rule. Nearly half (48%) say they yield most of the time, while an alarming 19% admit they seldom stop for pedestrians, and 6% never do.
Interestingly, when the same group of respondents was asked if they, as pedestrians, observed other drivers stopping to give way, only 2% reported that they saw others stop all the time. In contrast, two-thirds (65%) stated that drivers rarely or never stopped for them.
These findings align with a report from the Government’s Public Accounts Committee in November 2023, which declared that the messaging regarding the changes had not been effectively communicated to encourage public participation.
The confidence in the 2022 rules significantly varies between younger and more experienced drivers. While 37% of drivers aged 17 to 24 believe that the changes have made roads safer for vulnerable users, only 13% of those aged 65 and older share this sentiment.
Moreover, only 13% of drivers with at least 25 years of experience believe that pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders are now safer due to the new rules. In contrast, 37% of those with up to nine years of driving experience feel more confident about the safety of vulnerable road users.
Across all regions of the UK, at least 21% of pedestrians claim that drivers never give way to them at junctions. Residents of Wales (25%) and Yorkshire (24%) expressed the highest levels of uncertainty regarding whether a car would stop to allow them to cross.
Commenting on the findings, RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis said, “The updates are only as good as a universal understanding of them. If a driver turns into a junction as a pedestrian is crossing, it’s already too late, because that’s when confusion could turn into a collision.”
Dennis added, “We urge motorists to take another close look at the changes – either by visiting the Highway Code or RAC websites, or by picking up a printed copy. We’d also urge the Government to make another concerted effort in communicating the changes to all road users.
The government’s latest road casualty statistics reveal that 30% of pedestrian fatalities and 39% of serious injuries occur at junctions.
