The Department for Transport has launched a consultation which could see the driver’s rule book updated with changes including making it clear where cyclists and pedestrians have priority or ‘right of way’ over drivers.

Major changes to the Highway Code being considered by the Government would see roads made safer for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders.

The Department for Transport has launched a consultation which could see changes in the driver’s rule book including making it clear where cyclists and pedestrians have priority or ‘right of way’ over drivers. The Plan is trying to improve safety for pedestrians- in particular children, the elderly and disabled people.

There would be new rules around what to do when you see someone waiting to cross the road as well as how drivers should deal with cyclists at junctions.

Cyclists will be given clearer priority at junctions, and pedestrians clearer priority when crossing or waiting to cross the road.

There would also be mention of the Dutch Reach – a method for opening your car door without endangering cyclists – as well as making sure warning sounds are working on electric cars and making sure your charging cable is not a trip hazard.

The main alterations to the code being proposed :

• Introducing a hierarchy of road users which ensures that those road users who can do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger or threat they may pose to others
• Clarifying existing rules on pedestrian priority on pavements, to advise that drivers and riders should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross the road
• Providing guidance on cyclist priority at junctions to advise drivers to give priority to cyclists at junctions when travelling straight ahead
• Establishing guidance on safe passing distances and speeds when overtaking cyclists and horse riders.
• The plan reads: “The consultation document is seeking views on proposed changes to The Highway Code to improve safety for pedestrians, particularly children, older adults and disabled people, cyclists and horse riders.”It is important that these groups feel safe in their interactions with other road users.”

  The document says it gives: “specific consideration on overtaking, passing distances, cyclist and pedestrian priority at junctions, opening vehicle doors and responsibility of road users.”

  The changes would be made to a number of sections of the Highway Code including:

  • Rules for pedestrians (Rules 1 to 19)
  • Rules about animals (Rule 52)
  • Rules for cyclists (Rules 59 to 82)
  • Rules for drivers and motorcyclists (Rule 97)
  • General rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders (Rules 123 to 151)
  • Using the road (Rules 160 to 199)
  • Road users requiring extra care (Rules 204 to 215)
  • Waiting and parking (Rule 239)
  • Annex 1: you and your bicycle
  • Annex 6: vehicle maintenance, safety and security Discussing the planned new Hierarchy of Road Users the plan reads: “The ‘Hierarchy of Road Users’ is a concept which places those road users most at risk in the event of a collision at the top of the hierarchy.”The road users most likely to be injured in the event of a collision are pedestrians, in particular children, older adults and disabled people, followed by cyclists, horse riders and motorcyclists.

     

     

    The hierarchy does not remove the need for everyone to behave responsibly. The following H rules clarify this concept.

    “It is important that ALL road users are aware of The Highway Code, are considerate to other road users and understand their responsibility for the safety of others.

    It adds: “Those in charge of vehicles that can cause the greatest harm in the event of a collision bear the greatest responsibility to take care and reduce the danger they pose to others.

    “This principle applies most strongly to drivers of large goods and passenger vehicles, followed by vans/minibuses, cars/taxis and motorcycles.

    “Cyclists, horse riders and horse drawn vehicles likewise have a responsibility to reduce danger to pedestrians.

    Always remember that the people you encounter may have impaired sight, hearing or mobility, and may not be able to see or hear you. “None of this detracts from the responsibility of all road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders, to have regard for their own and other road users’ safety.”

    T here would be new rules around what to do when you see someone waiting to cross the road.

    They would read: “At a junction you should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning.

    “You MUST give way to pedestrians on a zebra crossing, and pedestrians and cyclists on a parallel crossing.

    “You should give way to pedestrians waiting to cross a zebra crossing, and pedestrians and cyclists waiting to cross a parallel crossing.

    Horse riders and horse drawn vehicles should also give way to pedestrians on a zebra crossing, and pedestrians and cyclists on a parallel crossing.

    “Pedestrians have priority when on a zebra crossing, on a parallel crossing or at light controlled crossings when they have a green signal.

    “Cyclists should give way to pedestrians on shared use cycle tracks. Only pedestrians may use the pavement.

    “This includes people using wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

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Compulsory MOT testing for cars, vans, and motorcycles is to be reintroduced in England, Scotland, and Wales on August 1st 2020 as coronavirus restrictions continue to be lifted, the Government confirmed. But why was testing suspended in the first place, why is it being reintroduced soon, and what does it mean for your vehicle?

Mandatory MOT testing was suspended at the start of lockdown to minimise the spread of coronavirus. The policy therefore reduces the number of drivers, mechanics, and support staff that have to interact in person. Furthermore, it makes it easier to keep vehicles on the road legally which is handy at a time of national crisis. This helps doctors and nurses travel to work, for instance.

However, it appears that coronavirus is becoming a less serious threat. The Government is therefore becoming less focussed on keeping drivers, mechanics, and support staff separate and more on ensuring vehicles are roadworthy. Compulsory MOT testing is therefore being reintroduced in the near future. What this means for your vehicle depends when your current MOT certificate expires.

March 30th 2020 to July 31st 2020

If your vehicle’s MOT expires between March 30th and July 31st 2020, you still have an automatic 6 month extension. For example, July 5th 2020 is extended to January 5th 2021. However, you do not have to wait until the end of your coronavirus extension to have your vehicle checked. If you prefer, it can be done on any earlier date.

Also, irrespective of any extension it is your responsibility to ensure your vehicle is roadworthy. If not, you might be prosecuted.

August 1st 2020 onward

If your MOT expires on/after August 1st 2020 throughout England, Scotland, and Wales there is no extension for your vehicle. Simply have it assessed according to its normal, pre-coronavirus schedule.

Roads Minister Baroness Vere said: ‘As people return to our roads, it is vital motorists are able to keep their vehicles safe. That is why, as restrictions are eased, from August 1st MOT testing will again be  mandatory. Garages across the country are open and I urge drivers who are due for their MOT to book a test as soon they can.’

The Government added further context. It said ‘only some garages remained open’ at the peak of the outbreak for ‘essential services’. However, 90% are now open and MOT testing capacity is 70%. These figures are ‘steadily increasing’. Also, if you still have to self-isolate some garages will collect and return your car.

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Fire brigade bosses have rubbished claims that bottles of hand sanitiser could catch fire if they are left in hot cars.

The National Fire Chiefs Council confirmed that “hand sanitiser kept in cars do not pose a fire risk”, after NHS bosses issued a warning to staff.

The internal memo from NHS Property Services claimed it had received a “number of reports of hand sanitiser being the cause of fires when left in vehicles in the hot weather the UK is currently experiencing”.

It told workers that the current heatwave could mean alcohol-based gels reach their “flash point”, which would see them burst into flames when the vapour in them comes into contact with hot air.

Demand for hand sanitiser has sky-rocketed during the coronavirus pandemic, which caused major concern about potential fires.

But after the warning was shared widely online, NHS bosses have now clarified hand sanitiser cannot ignite on its own and would need a spark to be set alight.

An NHS Property Services spokesman told Sky News the alarm was raised by union safety officers who had heard about hand sanitiser car fires in the US.

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