04/08/2020
Consultation to Improve Cyclists, Pedestrians and Horse Rider Safety
The Department for Transport has opened a consultation seeking views on proposed changes to The Highway Code to improve safety for vulnerable road users, particularly the groups of:
- cyclists
- pedestrians
- horse riders
The main proposals are to introduce a hierarchy of road users, to clarify pedestrian and cyclist priority and to establish safer overtaking. This is to ensure 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.
- It clarifys 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.
- It provides guidance on cyclist priority at junctions, to advise drivers to give priority to cyclists at junctions when travelling straight ahead.
- Guidance on safe passing distances and speeds when overtaking cyclists and horse riders is also included
The consultation, which can be accessed here, will remain open until midnight on 27th October 2020.