Half of UK Drivers Baffled by Highway Code Changes Meant to Protect Pedestrians
More than half of UK drivers remain in the dark about changes to the Highway Code designed to boost pedestrian safety, new RAC research reveals. Two years on from the updates, 51% of drivers say they’re unsure how these rules affect road safety for walkers.
Drivers Still Not Getting the Message on Pedestrian Right of Way
The 2022 Highway Code shook things up by placing heavier responsibility on drivers—including lorries, vans, taxis, and motorcycles—to look out for vulnerable road users. Yet only 18% of drivers believe these changes have actually improved pedestrian safety.
Worryingly, nearly a third (31%) reckon the new rules make crossing at junctions more dangerous for pedestrians. The RAC attributes this confusion to poor communication of the key message: drivers must give way to pedestrians at junctions (Rule 170).
- Just 23% of drivers say they always yield to pedestrians when turning at junctions.
- Almost one in five (19%) rarely stop for people on crossings.
- 6% never give way at all.
As pedestrians, only 2% say drivers always stop for them, while a staggering 65% say drivers rarely or never do.
Young Drivers More Confident, But Older Motorists Lag Behind
The study also exposed a sharp divide by age and experience. Over a third (37%) of drivers aged 17-24 believe the changes have made roads safer for vulnerable users. In contrast, just 13% of those over 65 share this optimism.
Long-time drivers with over 25 years behind the wheel are also sceptical—only 13% think the new rules help keep pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders safer. Drivers with less than a decade of experience are nearly three times more likely (37%) to feel positive about the impact.
Experts Call for a Major PR Push to Clear Up Confusion
“If a driver turns into a junction as a pedestrian is crossing, it’s already too late,” warned RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis. “Confusion can quickly turn into collision.”
Dennis urged all motorists to brush up on the new rules, recommending a visit to the Highway Code or RAC websites or getting a printed copy. He also called on the Government to ramp up efforts to spread the word clearly and widely.
Road casualty stats back up the urgency: 30% of pedestrian deaths and 39% of serious injuries happen at junctions, making understanding and respecting these rules a matter of life and death.
