Highway Code Updates | Things AREN'T Going Well
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- čas přidán 8. 03. 2024
- It's been over two years since the highway code was updated and this is my opinion on whether it's been steps forward or back.
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I've tried giving way to pedestrians on the exit of a roundabout. I'm not going to do it anymore. The cars behind don't expect you to stop so they get cross. The pedestrians don't expect you to stop so they get confused. It's just not a good idea at all.
You have no way of knowing how the driver behind will react. They may for example accelerate round you, not knowing you've given way to a pedestrian. Putting their life unnecessarily in danger.
As a driver, it is our responsibility to look after those more vulnerable than ourselves. And I feel the new rules encouraging drivers to stop and invite pedestrians into a live carriageway, without any possibility of knowing whether other drivers are aware of them or not, is complete madness!
Yeh, it's not a great idea is it. Cars accelerating to join fast moving traffic only for someone to stop on the exit. It's a recipe for disaster.
How very inconsiderate of you. Pedestrians are increasingly expecting drivers to obey the highway code and give way. If you fail to give way to pedestrians on roundabouts then you commit a section 3ZA(2) offence and can get 3 points. If you hit and kill one then that's 5 years in prison.
@@paul756uk2 imagine doing it with a BMW, Audi or Tesla behind you! They're not going to wait and find out why you've given way. They're just going to accelerate around you. Potentially risking the life of the poor, confused pedestrian who is now in the middle of the road.
Since the rule change, I personally haven't noticed any change in pedestrian behaviour. But I have noticed an increase in kamikaze cyclists, coming at you from all directions riding like they've got extra lives!
@@ChrisPavey85 yes exactly. It's too much of a risk stopping on an roundabout exit. As much as I give way to cyclists and pedestrians (everyone is the latter and many the former) I'm very wary about letting pedestrians cross on a 2 lane entrance without being as certain as I possibly can that they won't be hit by a car coming up the inside. I also haven't personally seen any change in pedestrian behaviour to be honest. No one I've seen has walked out in the road thinking they had the right of way. As for cyclists, I'm one, though I try to avoid roads and don't cycle all year round and I always used to defend them to the hilt but no longer. Sometimes, their arrogance is breathtaking. For many of them it's a time trial and they don't like people getting in their way.
@@ditch3827 people aren't going to obey rules they instinctively think that will put them or pedestrians in danger. It's all very well acting like some kind of jobs worth anorak quoting rule numbers like a train spotter but it doesn't mean it's right. Do you do everything the government tells you? Use your own judgement for goodness sake. I haven't come across any changes in pedestrian behaviour probably because they're not even aware of them. It doesn't mean that you don't have to be extra vigilant when you see pedestrians crossing.
Passed motorcycle test recently and our instructor basically told us to pray the situation doesn’t come up on test. Stopping a motorcycle on a junction or exit to a roundabout is just asking for a smash from behind.
These are among the Worst types of Motorbike accidents to be in...many lead to broken backs!
@@theedude2207 exactly, the worst and also most common accident for a motorcyclist is a shunt from behind from a larger vehicle. This new rule is lethal for all.
Also turning right from a main road to a side road. Mostly you're looking for oncoming traffic so you don't see someone wanting to cross from behind. If you stop you are on a bike across a main road! How's that safer for us?
@@doomwithaview4473 It's fine because you're more vulnerable than cars, so they will give way to you, honest they will.
@@Sm-iw2vh l don't agree, vehicles pulling out from junctions are the most common. And/or roundabouts. In sixty years of riding a motorcycle l have never been hit from behind. However, l've lost count of the number of time cars have pulled out in front of me Failed to indicate at junctions....( just such an incident destroyed my Ducati, and very nearly me)....Crossroad its even worse.. However giving priority to Cyclists, pedestrians so close to main road exits is just asking to be rear ended...
As a cyclist who commutes by bike I have noticed a distinct shift in behavior over the past 6 months. Most drivers now give way and overtake wide.
However I agree that having to stop on the exit of a busy rush hour roundabout is absurd and asking for trouble.
Remember these lawmakers are the same knuckleheads who decided to close the safety lane on high speed motorways.
I had an elderly lady driver assert to me that "highway code changes only apply to new drivers, not to people who passed our tests years ago. The rules for us are the ones we were taught." There is a massive need for proper public information to counter this kind of incorrect understanding.
Should have asked her where the fella who is supposed to walk in front of her car with a red flag had gotten to.
😂 she can't be serious that's good joke
I'll go along with that 🤣
A likely story!
Oh great. The roads in my village had a 60 mph limit when I passed my test so clearly I am exempt from the 30 limit that has been imposed in recent years.
Also, presumably I can park on double yellow lines if they were only painted after I passed my test.
It’s a terrible state of affairs when test candidates don’t even know what their examiner will be thinking. What a disgraceful situation. Utter mismanagement of our roads and of our safety.
Agreed, but are you really surprised? Everything in this country is a shitshow...and I talk as a patriot! Our civil service is a complete joke, no one can do anything properly. Why do official inquiries take years?
Aye utter bollocks to the rules,It goes to show the govt doesn't care about road safety just like SMART MOTORWAYS what is smart about them when dozens of people have been killed !! why change the rules when everything was OK since cars went on the roads !!!!! Are the govt now going to do away with PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS ????😂😂😂😂😂
Just add it to the ever growing list of broken stuff that this current shower of a govt have mismanaged into existence since 2010
Guess they could ask witch rule do you want me to follow, stop if pedestrian at T-junction or roundabout or just safely just keep on going
My daughter failed again yesterday. Stalled the car after giving way to pedestrian
When I am turning left into a side road and stop to let pedestrians cross, I am always worried the car behind is going to drive into the back of me
Your responsibility is to give way to the pedestrians. It is the car behinds responsibility not to drive into you. If you hit the pedestrian then it is your fault. If the car behind hits you it is the car behinds fault.
@@ditch3827 Yawn! 🥱
@@ditch3827very true, but that's cold comfort as you sit in a hospital bed with a wrecked car towed off and future insurance premiums rising. 😢
@ditch3827 I'm sure that will be comforting to anyone injured or killed in the accident...
@ditch3827 yeah but even if it is not my fault,I don't want the hassle of insurance claim, repairs or new car, and the time of missed work and injury.
As a pedestrian, I would NEVER EVER expect a car to stop for me when they are turning into a road. And anyone who does expect a car to stop does not have safety in mind.
As a car driver I am aware of who is crossing and who is waiting and always turn slowly so I can stop of required, hence I slow right down about 10m before the turning.
It's such a dangerous rule. If I've got an arse sniffer behind me, there is no way I'm gonna stop just off a roundabout, not just because there is a high likelihood that the arse sniffer will start smelling the back of my neck, but also the high likelihood it will inflame their rage and will make even worse decisions a manoeuvres.
I think you're taking your metaphor too far. But it's not your job to prevent their anticipated rage. There are many rules in the highway code which could make drivers behind angry, if they're minded that way.
I agree @stephengilchrist6595 and I think it's people making-up rules for the sake of it because it's their job. This is just going to cause collisions
I'm not stopping unless there's no car behind me. Although most of urban London is now 20mph, the likelihood of someone running into the back of you is high.
Said arse sniffer would end up shit creek 😂😂
@@OidHunterThis. The country is far too full of useless bureaucrats who need to justify their existence and as a result the country is drowning under a sea of pointless and often contradictory red tape. Thank you Tony Blair.
Crossing a side-road, at a junction, there was a van waiting to turn left with a cop-car behind it.
I started to cross the road, walking behind the van, when the van exited the junction and then... the driver of the cop-car sounded his horn, moved forward and gestured for me to get out of his way!
I went around to the side of the car (I had to knock on the window before the cop saw fit to open it) and asked the cop if he was aware that the highway code had been updated, more than a year previously, to give pedestrians priority at junctions?
The cop's response: "Well, that's not going to help you when you're in hospital". 😕
Should have told him about his incorrect use of the horn too 😀
@@darrendavies1208 that sounds like a very correct use of the horn alerting the pedestrian to his presence, the amount of oblivious walkers (not saying OP was oblivious) is terrifying for people who drive for a living like cops
acab
@@BenulPlays not really. Did you read exactly what happened? The pedestrian was rightly crossing the road fully aware of the traffic . The police car sounded his horn, then gestures the pedestrian to get out of his way. A clear expression of annoyance in my eyes! If the police driver had been more aware, he would have known the pedestrian was aware of their presence. In fact, maybe add driving without due care to the police officers charge sheet also :)
Whenever I’ve tried to safely allow pedestrians to cross, one of two things ALWAYS happens:
1) The pedestrians stand blankly staring at me, waiting for me to proceed and we both sit around like lemons, waiting for the other to go.
2) Some berk comes speeding up behind me, blaring the horn.
These rules might as well be renamed “You can’t do right for doing wrong.”
It's going to take a while to undo decades of behavioural programming, but that doesn't mean it doesn't need to happen.
@@20quid I totally agree it’ll take a while. The issue is, there just hasn’t been enough information sent out about these changes.
On top of that, there’s a few more vulnerable road users who have developed a sense of entitlement now, couple that with some of the less vulnerable who already had that sense of entitlement and it’s a recipe for disaster.
There needs to be a way of making people care more about it.
To be fair to the pedestrians, I'd be wary. That's not a criticism of you, just that there's a lot of complete morons on the road.
@@picanto12Do they not have any allowance for judgement any more ? I suspect not. When I passed my test I actually ignored the examiner - to do what he had suggested (the reverse back round the corner) would have caused a bus to be jammed in mid road (it wasn't an issue when he said it, it developed) so I carried on. I offered to go round the block to do it, but he seemed okay with it and we did it somewhere else.
In retrospect I think it benefited me as it showed I was thinking about things and prioritising traffic flow and so on,, but at the time I thought I'd blown it.
@@20quid
It's almost like it would have been safer to keep the rules as they were instead of pandering to European cyclists
I’ve said it before and I will say it again. As a biker there is absolutely no way I am stopping in the middle of a roundabout, I’ll get flattened.
I agree with the order of vulnerability in general, however in that situation I believe the biker or cyclist is more vulnerable that a pedestrian that is waiting on the pavement.
It's hopefully pretty rare that a pedestrian would force you into that situation, but if they don't force their way across thankfully it's not a must to stop if you feel it's not safe.
How very inconsiderate of you disobey the highway code and prevent pedestrians from going about their lawful business.
@@ditch3827 i assume this is banter right?
Disagree, bikers are very vulnerable to rear end shunts by vehicles that have perhaps just accelerated out of an adjoining road. The last thing they are expecting is for a bike or motor cycle to stop dead in front of them. A pedestrian should wait until the way is clear to cross and not expect vehicles to stop on a fast moving roundabout.
You need to have been a motorcyclist and survived to realise just how dangerous the roads can be. @@ditch3827
It's all about observation watch far ahead and plan it that way you can slow the traffic down in front and behind. If you can't then don't stop. I do it in cars and riding my Suzuki gsx1300bk
You're doing a fantastic job against overwhelming odds. You might want to add this puzzlement about Rule H2: how does the driver (or examiner) know when someone is 'waiting to cross'? Someone waiting might glance away for a moment, and look as though they're not. Someone not waiting might exhibit body language which, accidentally or mischievously, indicates that they are. I think the problem is that waiting involves a state of mind, which is hard to assess accurately in this situation.
Whilst you are studying the body language of pedestrians who may or may not want to cross the road - your attention is diverted from other hazards which is not really how you should be driving
I'm accurate over 90% of the time. It's pretty obvious usually
@@miz4535great, what about the 10%? 1/10 times you stop a flowing a busy roundabout of cars in full flow it'll be for no reason. Do you want to roll those dice for the convenience of someone crossing by foot when they could do so in thousands of other locations?
You can easily spot the pedestrians that want to cross because they are usually engrossed in whatever notification has just popped up on their phone screen...
My main issue with the roundabouts is that these rules have created a very big “it depends” situation for road users (and pedestrians).
Adding more holes to the Swiss cheese
My impressions right from the start of these new rules were that, whilst they may sound great in principle, they have been very poorly thought through and implemented. It’s clear that, in their current form, the new rules are creating far more problems than they solve.
Totally agree !
I’m not from the UK, but the rules sound like the rules we have in Germany.
To me it sounds like the rules are just very poorly communicated. If even the examiners don’t seem to understand them, then what hope does the normal person have?
I agree too. The new rules read like a Cylist/Pedestrian Activists wishlist - and I suspect that's exactly what's happened, the rules have been drafted by special interest groups all with little thought as to how any of this could actually work in practice. As others have said; There are now several situations where obeying the rules can easily confuse/blindside other road users and even be downright dangerous. As for cyclists having priority over horses, words fail me!.
Voters have given enormous power to people with little life experience.
It's not that the rules are bad, if anything they don't go far enough, it's that educating people on the rules has failed as well as getting caught up in all the politiking around ULEZ and other stuff.
Roundabouts often have two lane exits, this creates an extra hazard for foot traffic, they may see a car about to exit which stops for them and the foot crosser proceeds but is then hit by a car which exits on the second lane. A pedestrian should not consider crossing at a roundabout exit the time to judge is far to small.
Your answer sounds sensible till you think it through. Every roundabout exit that's not onto a one way Street contains one exit. Your idea means that pedestrian would NEVER be able to cross more than half way across almost any road at any roundabout.
When you think it through that's even dafter than the old and new roles or together.
Two tips to save future embarrassment:
Engage gear before easing off the clutch;
-> and engage brane before posting
And many of these exits then merge in turn, which will distract some drivers from spotting the pedestrians
and they see the cyclist and just go to their usual pathetic mindset of "must overtake! must overtake!" and put the cyclist and pedestrians in danger just because they dont want to wait behind a cyclist.@@gavlptvbk8665
@@trueriver1950 No, there are many roundabouts with two-lane-exits that soon merge into single lanes; so a pedestrian walking in front of a car that's stopped according to the new rules risks being hit by a vehicle exiting the roundabout via the other lane. Even where road markings don't indicate two lanes, many are wide enough for two vehicles, so the pedestrian risks being hit by someone who decides to overtake the car that's stopped. @garybrindle6715 is correct.
@@trueriver1950 He is talking about the blind spot that the inside car creates to the offside car. Please engage brain before using mouth.
I used to giveway to all pedestrians on the exit of roundabouts when the new rules were brought in. I always thought it was dangerous, especially considering most motorists aren't even aware of the changes.
This all stopped when I got rear ended exiting a roundabout where I'd given way to a pedestrian. Nothing I could've done differently, I was stopped for a good amount of time before being rear ended, the truck that did rear end me hadn't even entered the roundabout when I'd actually stopped.
So yes, I no longer give way to pedestrians on the exit to roundabouts. I thought it was stupid when it was announced, my opinion certainly still hasn't chanced overtime either.
sorry you had to learn the hard way
The truck probably didn't have the same breaking capability of your car ...
So it's probably not really their fault either
Just a SHIT RULE!
You should NEVER give way to a pedestrian when exiting a roundabout. Of course the car behind is highly likely to rear end you. Common sense required.
Nothing wrong with the rules. The problem is we have no mandatory retesting of drivers in this country so no one is forced to become aware of the updates. Should be every 5 years at least with the theory OR when there is a major rule change.
Also, roundabouts really aren't safe infrastructure and are designed for car speed not for pedestrian safety. The have far too wide entrances that mean drivers barely have to slow, the speeds on them are too high, and the traffic is too high. They shouldn't exist in their current form unless there aren't any pedestrians.
@@miz4535stopping a live system of cars coming in & out of a roundabout because someone wants to cross the road by foot now rather than wait till it's clear or walk a bit further up the road is nuts, regardless of if it's in the code or not.
@@jazzx251 Absolute rubbish - the lorry driver should be on the look out for things like vehicles slowing down at junctions and to hit a vehicle ALREADY stationary in the road says to me the driver was not being attentive, tantamount to careless driving. The lorry driver should've seen the stationary car during their observations before moving into the roundabout. Would you be saying itr probably wasn't their fault either if, instead of a car the lorry hit, it was a person? Probably not. And a final point, any hit in the rear is ALWAYs the fault the on the driver who collides with the rear of a car - the onus is on the rear driver to ensure they have sufficient braking distance should the vehicle in front need to brake suddenly. The only way this wouldn't be true is if the driver in front brake checks the rear driver and rear driver can prove it so with dashcam footage or a witness.
The one thing I agree with in your post is that it is a shit rule. The only way to make it better would be for the local councils to paint zebra crossing on the roads entrance/exit to a roundabout, but considering the amount of roundabouts in the country, it would cost too much and take too long to do - we're still waiting for the road lines to be repainted on a road that was resurfaced about 12 months ago. if the council can't do that, they probably wouldn't be able to do the zebra markings on all the rounadabouts either.
When i went and had a comfort/assessment drive at work after my broken foot, whilst on the route round i stopped at a junction to let somone cross, my assessor said that makes a change someone knowing the rules about letting pedestrians cross before you proceed, he was impressed because he said not many other drivers he assess for CPC courses knows this rule even exists, however he like your self Ashley is trying to tell as many of our drivers as possible of the rules. That did lead on to a nice conversation about your channel and what i was watching whilst i was off work, so hi Simon if you're reading this comment.
Nice one Neil. Was your foot ok?
@@ashley_neal Yes thanks Ashley not to bad, still hurts if I over do it, but just got me on a phased return at work so easing me in gently.
Well done . Have a gold star
If Examiners are getting it wrong, there's little hope for the rest of us.
Probably ,not getting it wrong , but subtly without stating it,the learner was wrong to stop on certain occasions.Someone just standing on the pavement near the edge, possibly may want to cross, or ,maybe not. It's a judgement call.
Or the guidance just isn't clear enough for all examiners to adhere to. In order for the test to be credible (those who pass would have always passed and vice-versa) it has to be reliable (the same result should exist in identical circumstances by different assessors) and valid (it measures what needs to be measured - right from wrong) regardless of personal opinion. Unfortunately, the interpretation of what is 'safe enough' and 'unsafe' is not clear when considering these examination issues.
@@ianhill4585 "may want to cross" lol you remind me of Hyacinth from Keeping Up Appearances when she always tells Richard to mind the pedestrian who are always on the pavement but as she says "may want to cross"
@@hasan_z A wise woman that Mrs Bucket. Not too good with hedges though. 😊
In Slovenia (and also in other places in Continental Europe, as far as I'm aware), the rules are simple: if there is a zebra crossing painted on the road, pedestrians have priority, otherwise cars have priority. No ambiguity whatsoever. Additionally, undertaking is not allowed for any type of vehicle, which includes bicylces (except on a multi-lane carriageway in an urban area or when the vehicle ahead of you is signaling to turn left if there's enough room on the right).
In many places in continental Europe (e.g. Germany, Netherlands), pedestrians going straight ahead at a junction have priority over vehicles turning into the junction, even if there is no zebra crossing. That’s where the inspiration for these rules came from.
@@ado543 there's no real ambiguity over these new rules really, the DVSA just hasn't bothered to tell anyone about the rule changes, so no-one knows to follow them.
Exactly. They could fix any ambiguity by just painting zebra crossings on roundabouts. It's a good change in principle but so horrible implemented in the UK.
And this even applies to traffic light controlled intersections in Europe. Despite the conflict, pedestrians have the green light and drivers turning into the road should stop to let pedestrians cross even if they are waiting. They do this to reduce pedestrian waiting times. This is why its important to look left and right even if the light is green.
UK hasn't adopted this approach for some reason.
Their zebra crossing rules may mandate giving way to pedestrians even if they are waiting to cross.
@@mightyhead4962They are in the highway code, except some pedestrians through years of training,years of evolution of self protection, will wait for the car to turn, knowing a pedestrian coming to a full stop on the edge of the pavement,is easier than a vehicle coming to a complete halt in the road. Of course as others have stated, zebras and traffic control options are available also for pedestrians.
So that 3 crossing options for pedestrians, including the common sense one,of self assessment.
At work when we write our specs, we detail the meaning of the words "SHOULD" and "MUST", they are _very_ different. *Should's* are optional but encouraged to do it, *must's* are mandatory.
0:50 - That hand gesture made me chuckle, one day he's gonna assume priority walking across the path of the wrong vehicle and it's not gonna end well.
As a class 1 artic driver, before this we always had the police scrutinise us and try any possible way they could to twist the events of an accident we were involved in to blame us, as we are “professional drivers”, whether or not we were actually to blame.
But now with this new hierarchy and us being right at the bottom, the insane twisting of perspectives and half truths to pin the blame on the truck driver in every situation as an easy scape goat is actually legally enforceable. Insane
And if even the professional examiners and the official guidance from the official bodies is not even remotely consistent it's just an absolute farce that these rules are going to be adjudicated fairly in a court or by insurers. It just seems like a charter to those who want a get out for themselves and rather someone else takes the blame, and meanwhile people on foot either don't act with assertiveness and decisiveness OR they act as if they can just wander anywhere at any time without a single thought on what else is going on and they are in the right.
Literally couldn't be more dangerous and unworkable if they had sat down and designed a misinformation campaign on purpose.
Yes. I suppose technically if you hit something even if a remotely sane person would say there was absolutely nothing you could do about it - I remember seeing some YT videos of truckers where motorists seem to think a 40 tonner can stop in a few feet ...
It.happened to me a couple of weeks ago, had to stop my car on a merge tp a D2 simply because of a big bulge of traffic. It's fairly blind so there's not much room to adjust beforehand, but it's usually fairly quiet. Just one of those things.
Idiot behind decided he was going anyway, swerved round me straight onto the carriageway and if it hadn't been for the very quick reactions of the lorry driver who managed to somehow get round him without hitting any of the vehicles around him would have ended up pancake flat on the road. Insane.
@@paulscottrobson that’s exactly it. And even if the other vehicle was eventually found guilty, it wouldn’t be before the coppers and vosa had intensively questioned the truck driver extensively on his drivers hours when his last break was and downloaded his card gone through infringements etc checked the load security even when the other car would’ve been quite obviously at fault. We just get shafted because it’s easy open and shut case and less paperwork for them to just blame the trucker because they know the courts will accept it without question.
It happened to one of the drivers I know recently, he and a car merged into a lane at the same time, him from lane 3 into lane 2, and a car from lane 1 into lane 2. From that angle in an HGV the car was in his blind spot and was slightly in front of him so should have seen him in their left mirror, and he T-boned it. But yet he’s getting the blame for the accident because he’s the professional driver 🤷♂️
Yep. Know that the WEF Globalists want you to live in fear. And me. And almost all working people. They hate us and want to move back to SERFDOM !
It should be, those that can cause the most damage.....stay out of their way! Rules of the jungle, if a mouse walks infront of a cat, it gets killed! What annoys me is a professional driver is someone who drives for a living! Anyone driving has passed a test! So why do so many drive with no care and a total disregard for physics, and then expect the hgv driver to be blamed if they hit you!? I'm 49, been hgv for 25 years! I can't wait to retire! Standards are shit!
I stopped to let a pedestrian cross, only for that pedestrian to then stare in to the sky waiting for the traffic to go by rather than at me. I then had no method of communicating with the pedestrian other than beeping which would seem rude. Then of course vehicles behind me started beeping and getting impatient. You can't win. As a pedestrian there's no way I'm stepping out in front of cars, but 99% of them won't give me priority.
Not only rude, but wrong - you're not allowed to signal to another driver or pedestrian etc. blah, blah. Agree with you 100%, I wait as a pedestrian for a clear road at any junction.
@@WolfmanWoodyis that right ? I do this all the time ; some person is waiting to see if they can cross, or a motorist wants to merge or pull out in a queue. I make the appropriate waving motion. Seems nuts.
Don't you have some common sense?
This is where the difference between the road and the pavment rules have been mixed so that pedestrians are confused as to how they should behave , bringing back the green cross code and educating the public both in schools and on Tv would solve a lot of these issues, make people responsible for their actions, only this time around wearing headphones and looking at mobile phone screens need to be brought into the equation, no distractions while crossing the road can only be a good thing.
@@oojimmyflipThe green cross code is still part of the highway code. It is still (or should be) taught in schools. Even my three year old has picked up the basics of "Stop, look, listen, cross"
Giving the right of way to people who don't even have to know the highway code, who aren't expected to indicate, who can be hidden behind street furniture, and who aren't required to be lit up in the dark is just absurd.
75% of adults drive, so most SHOULD be aware of this change. If they aren't then they're not keeping to the terms of their licence.
Also, you could say exactly the same about zebra and pedestrian crossings.
zebra crossings and pedestrian crossings are at least lit up
If the night crossers of zebras are not wearing bright clothes, It can still be a gamble, the old rule of one foot on the crossing to indicate intent is crucial, one foot on, both sides see you and stop for you, done deal...... Simple.
This video is the first time I've been made aware of any changes! (I've held a UK licence for 25 years btw)
Even the police don't know the rules. It was just yesterday when I was wanting to turn left into a side road, saw a pedestrian wanting to cross and a policeman on the opposite side also wanting to cross. I slowed nice and early had my left turn indicator on, the pedestrian crossed straight away and thanked me but the policeman had no idea and was very confused in the end he beckoned me to go. It's a shambles
Should have arrested you.
@@_.Madness._ Why? He followed the (now stupidly updated) highway code. This just proves how misinformed everyone is
Seems like a non-event 🤷♂ if the PO didn't want to cross then drive on.
@@glenn1534 I did if you read it. And he did want to cross as he was in the middle of road before beckoning me 🤦♂️
the problem there is many drivers slow down to go round corners and keep on going, the pedestrian has no idea if you're giving way or not until you actually stop dead, I'm never walking out in front of a moving vehicle no matter how slow they're going, because that would be stupid.
Sometimes it makes sense to give way to pedestrians, but in general it creates confusion and increases risk
What I find difficult is that after over 30 years driving I don't think about giving way to pedestrians till it's rather late and I don't have time to check mirrors etc. It doesn't happen often enough for me to have developed a procedure of thinking about it before I get to a junction.
Absolutely 100000000% behind you ash & I seriously suggest people share this video asap …. Thanks Ash people need to educate themselves NOW
If a pedestrian is already in the road and not going to stop, just let them cross. The pedestrian was wrong to just assume the car was going to give way, but so was the cammer to just keep going when the pedestrian was obviously going to keep crossing with all the other people (the big hint is that he was looking straight ahead and not slowing down). Like Ash says it's a lose-lose situation.
As a cyclist I did stop to allow pedestrians to cross the road. In particular where a crossing 'juts into' the road. However, the cars behind me never did, so it was a waste of my time. I no longer bother.
I feel your pain. When your cycling to work and the bus stops ahead of you so you stop behind with safe distance and drivers try to get round the bus when its narrow to do so.
I'm old enough to remember the "public information film". We all knew how to operate those new PELICAN crossings......Wish I'd brought my brolly.
"CLUNK, CLICK", I sobbed to my therapist.
Now then
Now then
Now then@@JustAlex848
I remember Darth Vader in a green leotard teaching kids to cross the road.
We can never un-see that sadly
@@mickfromleitrim Well, they were repeated ad nauseum, till we knew it all by heart. "Meet Mike, he swims like a fish" Transposed to the present day, some ear worm or other, would be making us all aware of the new highway code rules.
I've had drivers following me use their horn when I've slowed to give way to pedestrians crossing a side road. This has happened numerous times, so it seems many drivers are unaware of the contents of the highway code.
It also applies to pedestrians who stop part way across the road when crossing to give way to a vehicle.
It is everyone's responsibility read and understand the higway code. This message needs to be shared more widely.
I raised the whole crossing the road situation with the head examiner at my centre. He replied "Just get your student to use their common sense." I told him they were doing that just fine for the previous 22 years I've taught them. Now had 2 fails for it. Can't wait to leave the industry this summer. All a big crock of crap now.
Excellent episode Ashley. Especially galling that the Driver and Vehicles Standards Agency appears to be unwilling to make clear exactly how our candidates on test (and all road users ultimately) should apply these rules. Surely the DVSA should should be capable of explaining exactly how to apply these rules fairly and appropriately? I'm not convinced that the 'Hierarchy of Road Users' rules is necessary, when a bit of common sense plus a little patience by all road users would pay off and traffic would flow just as smoothly. Interestingly, I recently had a short meeting with our local Test Centre Manager who simply agreed with my premise that a bit of common sense and patience is all that her test centre examiners would require of my candidates on test. Hmm.
Maybe the hoped-for uptick in accidents would mean less cars on the road, and that is the DVSA's agenda.
Plus this: EVs are quiet, aren't they? It's bad enough when pedestrians are distracted while crossing, or think they have right of way while jaywalking (make that arrestable again?), but if their hearing is diminished because of age, illness, or their wearing earbuds and music going at 200Dbs, they'll never know what hit them, especially if the EV has autodrive but doesn't recognise the obstruction.
It's bad enough people don't hear normal ICE cars, never mind the farty exhaust or moble rave ones...
You want jaywalking to be illegal (what do you mean again?) what a dumbass. The thing that makes the road safer is fewer cars and curbs on car use such as lower speeds, enforcment of bad driving, more driving bans, higher fines etc. Jaywalking is illegal in the US and their record is much worse than ours
It blew my mind that undertaking is not allowed because cars might not be seen in the mirrors. So let’s let smaller, less well lit bikes the ability to undertake at any speed and it will be the vehicles fault
Completely agree. Its insanity
What is permissible....
Vehicle passing a cyclist = 1.5 metre gap
Cyclist passing a vehicle = in the blind spot whilst leaning on the vehicle
"undertake"
Ok, are you really expecting a bike with a bicycle lane to actually cross to the motor lane up to the right of said lane up to the center of the rad were they might also eat the mirror of the opposite trafic ?and then overtake a vehicle that have the ability to accelerate without any effort ?
Are you also saying that pedestrian should also stop to undertake when you are at a red light or a stop because it is dangerous ? I would guess not, but that's pretty much the same thing. Cyclist would love to have protected bike lanes the same way pedestrian have their safer space (space that is often encroached on as we can see in a lot of the bad driving episodes on this channel).
That is properly ridiculous.
How hard is it to check your mirrors and blind spot before taking a turning left ? In France, I passed my driving licence ten years ago an we already had to check that when turning right. Is the UK that backward that it is a novel concept ? I mean many states of the US have right turns on red, so ...
Sure cyclists are risk takers, that's because the shittier the infra and the less secure it is to use a bike, the more risk a cyclist needs to take to even be on the road. It is plain survivor biais, the more careful and risk averse aren't going take a bike to begin with.
Only as the roads get safe for cyclist that the careful will start cycling. So if you want to see them on the road be more careful an accept your responsibility in the issue.
The more lethal the machine you drive is the more you need to be careful about other.
Undertake = Increase chances of meeting the undertaker! Seriously though these rules go against common sense logic
@@VaasrefThe hierarchy structure of the HC gives cyclists the impression they have no responsibility because the car will be at fault.
What happened to being responsible for your own destiny?
You also appear to be misrepresenting the comments you are replying to by giving examples we can all agree with and then using those to dismiss the different concerns of the other commentators.
Cyclists flying up the inside of cars, either in a queue or moving, are asking for quick trip to the AE department. It does not matter what the roads should look like (in your opinion), the only thing that matters is the reality of the world as we find it now.
Your comment smacks of entitlement and I wouldn't be surprised if you are one of those problem cyclists that we all think about when discussing the suitability of those contraptions on modern roads
When this first came out, I tried hard to do it. 3 times I stopped to let someone cross, only to realise they were simply waiting at the junction... maybe for someone to pick them up.
Many other times, I stop and wait for them to cross, but they look confused and either go or wave me through. I even had one guy point at the traffic behind me and shake his head. He just stood there. Awkward. I don't do it anymore. Gone back to how I spent the previous 18 years driving.
Agreed 45 years driving for me, never run anyone over yet, a few near misses with stupid 2 and 4 legged life forms, but if they insist in crossing the road unsafely, ---- it's all a gamble.
Maybe we should have a mini theory test online when you renew your driving license photocard. It doens't need to be in test conditions - it just ensures road users must essentially confirm they've had the extra training.
I've been thinking this for a while now.. especially for older drivers that have been driving many years.. for newer drivers that have recently passed; I don't think its required, however.. I do think every driver should have a license refresher/refresher test every decade or somet for example! :)
@@rebrandftw Well since photocards are valid for 10 years it's a perfect opportunity. I'm not sure if it needs repeat driving lessons but something you can do in an hour to recap on changes may be useful. In the end if you're a bad driver, you need lessons no matter how long you've been on the road.
This is a great idea!
Great idea in theory, until the government see it as a Revenue generating opportunity, which they will sooner than later.
I've said this for a while, every decade there should be a mandatory online test when applying to renew a license. Over a certain amount of points is needed and if failed your renewal is rejected. People will suddenly start revising then. Even if they google the answers it will still be in their mind to at least acknowledge the correct answer.
Giving way to pedestrians when exiting roundabouts can be challenging. It's not always easy to see the pedestrian and pedestrians sometimes 'hover' at the kerb while taking a phone call. I think the rule requiring giving priority to pedestrians on exiting roundabouts should be abolished. I always do my best to obey the rules, but it is not always easy or safe.
Just take it slow and be prepared to stop if there are pedestrians about. Its not that hard to do the right thing.
@@ditch3827 Yawn! 🥱
@@ditch3827the problem is that EVERYONE needs to be doing the same, my experience on UK roads, which is very extensive, is that many don't. Me doing the right thing but through doing so, creating an accident, even if not technically my fault, is not defensive driving, thinking for others means that sometimes, stopping where someone else is not expecting you to stop, can create danger.
I don't care that it isn't my fault, if by stopping, I cause an accident that could have been avoided, I'm not going to stop just to let someone cross the road. I would actually rather take 3 points than be involved in an accident that I had to power to prevent.
@@JimT-RCTdoing the right thing is to keep going, if safe, if you are being tailgated. When I'm a pedestrian I will stand back from the kerb, indicating to the drivers I'll wait till it's safe to cross ie safe from my viewpoint. If a driver does stop I'll check that there is no other driver overtaking.
@@tony_w839the highway code says stop and let the pedestrians cross, not keep going if safe.
confusion makes the situation unsafe. Entering a mind game of 'do they know?' is not a game I want to play with 1.5tons of car....
I've spoken to friends not long after the changes, they were aware of them, but decided against following until other drivers did the same. I've tried to follow them, but honestly the changes are just token if no one is willing to enforce them
it's astonishing how the UK complains about giving way to traffic continuing on when turning (cyclists, pedestrians).... weirdly, it works rather well in other countries. If you want to continue straight ahead you have the right of way and turning vehicles are required to give way to you. It works well, yes, even at roundabouts. The reason it doesn't work well in the UK is the fact it is much more car centric than it would like itself to believe thus, roads were not built with pedestrians in mind.
Any rule that is phrased as a "should" instead of a "must", any toddler can tell you that a should doesn't exist and it will be ignored...
Oh dear 🙁 it should be so easy. Glad you raised this. If anyone is having trouble understanding the fundamentals, just imagine it’s your grandma standing waiting at the junction, you’d automatically slow down, make eye contact and offer her to cross. If anyone behind you had an impatient problem with that, you wouldn’t give two hoots about them.
I drive, walk and cycle, and the only people I have trouble with are those who think everyone else should get out of their way, whether their on foot, bike, or in a vehicle.
Vehicles have absolute priority on motorways and main trunk roads, they belong exclusively to anyone driving. But around town where people live, work, rest and play is shared, it’s good to go gently and watch out for each other, that’s all.
Except in situations where I have complete control (i.e. when I am certain that I am blocking the whole area that the pedestrian is potentially about to cross), I specifically do not make eye contact. I want the pedestrian to make their own safety assessment of the whole situation at their own speed.
I subscribe to updates to the Highway Code so unlike most ordinary motorists I'm aware of both the new rules and the consultation process that preceeds them.
It MUST be said - there are significant aspects of the new heirachy rules that not only make no sense but actually lead to greater danger for pedestrians and cyclists.
One of these amongst many is the prohibition of drivers from signalling by gesture to pedestrians that you are letting them cross. It is ALWAYS the responsibility of the pedestrians to assess for themselves whether or not it is actually safe to proceed, but drivers SHOULD be allowed to indicate to the pedestrian that it is their intention to let them cross. That frees the pedestrian to turn their attention to other aspects of the situation in making their assessment of whether or when to proceed at what may very well be a busy junction with multiple threats in multiple directions.
Ultimately, road safety is the goal and drivers and pedestrians BOTH have an equal part to play in this. Living in Cambridge as I do, the behaviour of cyclists really can be and very often IS a major risk factor in road safety, to such an extreme degree that a dash cam has actually become a necessity. And THAT - is a very bad sign indeed.
The DVSA has some very serious soul searching to do, because ultimately this has been caused by them.
road safety has nothing to do with pedestrians, they are on the pavement, if they want to cross, do it when its safe to do so or at a designated crossing point. Making vehicles stop because of the literal backwards hierarchy system leads to more accidents, longer travel times, more congestion and pollution, its literally the opposite if its intentions. The largest most dangerous vehicles should be the highest in the hierarchy, pedestrians who are even supposed to be on the road at the very bottom, followed by cyclists as they should use designated cycle lanes when available, that includes shared cycle lane/ footpath. Oh and ban horses on the road its cruel, making them walk on tarmac, forcing them to be around fast noisy vehicles.
@@JOJo-zb2hc What an absolute steaming pile of crap. EVERYONE is responsible for road safety - most especially, it is now apparent - YOU.
"Things aren't going well " another Ashley understatement 😂
It's a British thing.
Earth invasion by mars;
America "holy XXXX we're all going to die! These XXXXING aliens are taking the planet!"
UK: oh, dear. looks like rain again.
@@Rapscallion2009 WW2 was described as 'a little unpleasantness'.
As someone with quite a relaxed demeanour, people often think I don't care or worry about things. This is inaccurate. I don't get into a funk about things I can't fix.
When the rules came out, the new Highway code was NOT available for purchase, it took three months for it to do so (paper is far better than digital on the road!). When one of the prior revisions came out in the early 2000's the training team went down to buy the latest copy from WH Smith that morning.
Getting a lot more pedestrians walking across a road at me without a care in the world thinking they have right of way everywhere.
Also waited at roads turning in with a pedestrian there looking at me with a perplexed look
So glad I passed my test long before this rubbish!
Edit: What I meant by that, was that I'm glad I don't need to worry about failing a driving test despite doing the right thing like the students in the clips Ashley showed. I do, in fact, know the rules.
Also, I hope those students contested their unfair tests. There needs to be an outcry about this!
Sounds like you need to take it again
@@ditch3827 Yawn! 🥱
You still need to follow the highway code
Agreed. I like to think I'm a pretty safe driver, but could see myself failing on something like this, where the rules are slightly subject to interpretation.
Also, from the other comments and Ashley's examples, sounds like some would be marked down for giving way to pedestrians, and some would be marked down for not. Would be a somewhat unfair way to fail a test
@@philipreid2542 I know some people choose to interpret things to justify their own bad driving but the rules are pretty clear in the Highway Code.
When you turn across the path of pedestrians at a junction you have to stop and give way if they are crossing or waiting to cross. It is exactly the same rule as for a zebra crossing so just imagine a zebra crossing across every junction and you will be just fine.
Basically all traffic going straight on, whether pedestrian, cyclist or motor vehicle, has priority over turning traffic, unless signed to the contrary.
I've only had a handful of situations where giving way to pedestrians at the exit of a roundabout feels safe. Most of the time I just carry on because of the presence of other traffic who may go into the back or side of me. The fact that the majority of drivers and pedestrians don't know about these new rules just causes conflict with the ones that do.
I follow these rules in an entirely situational way. If I have any doubts about the safety of giving way to a pedestrian, I just carefully proceed if I can. In a perfect world where everyone knew about and enacted on these rules, it would work fine; but it doesn't, and thats the problem. It does not improve safety if the majority of drivers don't know about them. In my eyes, these new rules along with their lack of publicity and clarity actually increase danger and confusion.
What gives you the right to endanger pedestrians and prevent them from making their way? Do the right thing and start obeying the HWC
@@ditch3827 Yawn! 🥱
You bored yet?
@@ditch3827 Remember that unless the pedestrian is actually in the road it is a "should" and not a "must". I think in this case it is up to the driver to decide whether it is safer to stop or continue.
@@rampak1 Breaking a should rule is a section 3ZA2 offence under RTA. A lesser offence but still an offence.
It is always safe to stop for pedestrian unless you were driving too fast for the conditions or not concentrating.
@@ditch3827 only failure to obey a "must" is an offense. Failure to obey a "should" is not, although it could be taken into account in the event of an accident.
I enjoy your thoughtful and clear video's, so thanks for those. Like many, I have tried to keep up with the not so recent now changes to the highway code regarding crossing priorities. It is confusing. What makes it worse as you point out is that the majority of pedestrians are totally clueless as to has right of way when it comes to crossing a road and I am finding more and more pedestrians are now just stepping out into the road to cross with at times barely a casual look to see if anything is coming assuming that anything that is coming will stop for them.
I have seen this year alone, 3 deliveroo moped (?) riders that have been tail ended and knocked off their bikes stopping for pedestrians at the entry to roundabouts and the car behind has failed to stop running into them. I assume the riders were in the right and aware of the new rules.
My main gripe these days and it applies far more to younger drivers and work vans, are the huge number of drivers who will see you waiting to enter a roundabout or turn onto a road, and they turn left just before you without even the slightest courtesy of indicating. Its not just BMW drivers and it is a thing that is getting much worse. I believe the majority of drivers no longer feel the need to use indicators when turning.
I'm in my 60's now and have been a motorcyclist for 47 years and I am now seriously considering giving up one of my passions as the roads are getting to be noticeably so much unsafer to be on and not just with the bike. I do wonder what some examiners teach as far as indicator use is concerned.
Grew up in the 70s and the time of the Green Cross Code man adverts. I teach my son the same thing when crossing the roads, look both ways before crossing and waiting till it's safe to do so.
I have seen people in the recent times casually walking out into traffic on a dual carriageway with a 40mph limit and taking their sweet time, people walking out at junctions and not even looking at all.
Staring at their phones, no doubt.
@@TestGearJunkie. Sometimes yes, sometimes just blatantly walking out into the road without a care
@@AlexMitchell-sj4sbIt should be an offence for pedestrians not to look where they're going. Why is it just drivers and cyclists who get the blame..?
@@TestGearJunkie. I agree, we all have a responsibility for our own safety on the roads.
What's wrong with the old rule that pedestrians should move away from the junction to cross? It seemed to work OK, but people just cannot be bothered to walk a little way from a junction nowadays. Also, i thought cyclists were advised to ride in the middle of their lane, what happened to that one?
You should come and see how this works in Sweden. Pedestrians have the right of way if they are out on, or just about to go out on, a crossing, since 24 years now. Nowadays pedestrians often don't even look, but cars are also very good at keeping the speed down in areas with crossings. However, many bicycle and electric scooter riders also thinks they have priority over crossings (which they don't), creating some issues.
In the UK - nobody has "right of way". The highway code is quite explicit about that.
This is the UK right now Magfro.
Right of way , priority. Semantics, we're supposed to stop for pedestrians if we're aware and it's safe for us to stop.Someone lunging into the road, forcing an emergency stop,is just foolhardy.
@@ianhill4585 It's not semantics though - "right of way" has a very specific meaning. The only time it mentions "right of way" is in the introduction in order to specify that the rules in the highway code do not confer "right of way" under any circumstances. The highway code rules themselves only detail priority and giving way.
Additionally - all road users are required to give way if it can help avoid an incident, regardless of priority - this includes pedestrians.
@@eljay5009 Stepping out into the road without due care and attention does put the onus on the user ON the road, in that sense they have the right of way whilst crossing, no matter how unsafely they did it, or we could clatter them and say" ooops". It really is all semantics.
And your last comment about pedestrians" required " is very whimsical,as many road crossers seem to think they are immortal.And leave their duty of care to others,instead of themselves.
@@ianhill4585 Hence why IMO it would be better to have more education for pedestrians (and perhaps more rules governing them) then simply piling on the motorist more and more. The existing rules already require motorists to give way, so to make the roads safer - surely we should be trying to stop pedestrians carelessly walking out.
If pedestrians are carelessly walking out into the road as you suggest (which is also my experience) - then why don't we implement something akin to the US jaywalking rules or perhaps rules requiring pedestrians to get off their phones whist crossing the road. Why isn't the highway code put in the national curriculum and drummed into kids from a young age? There is no requirement for formal education in the highway code until you start to learn to drive - despite people being allowed to use the roads and pavements as pedestrians and cyclists virtually from the point they can walk.
The simple.answer to make roundabouts have zebra crossings on them I've noticed some that do in they're a little past the junction too it will allow for a car to safely stop without causing to much issue to other road users though this would cost a lot to do at every roundabout and minor junction but would be a clear and obvious indicator for both pedestrians and other road users who has right of way.
The problem with that idea... a fair number of drivers on the road don't allow pedestrians stood next to (or are even already on) the zebra crossing to cross. Especially those drivers around retail parks and supermarkets.
@@_Steven_S people speed, cross red lights use their phones while driving over take on bends. By the logic y you may as well have none of these things, I stop for zebra crossings
Did that in Colchester when I lived there. Lots of rear ends.
@@paulscottrobson you stopped at a zebra crossing and got rear ended?
@@paulscottrobsonI know the exact one you mean. It’s absolutely horrendous
Thank you for clarifying things more and endeavouring to find out precisely what is meant to be happening out there.
When I passed my test just over a year ago, one of my 2 minors was for not stopping before a roundabout where pedestrians were waiting to cross - like you say, I only thought it applied to T junctions and not roundabouts. The examiner didn't fail me for it though and instead just helped me understand what is otherwise confusing wording. He also said that in the case of coming off a roundabout I shouldn't give way to pedestrians because it's usually unsafe to do so.
Thank heavens for your examiners common sense RE the roundabout, roundabouts were designed to aid traffic flow, (these new formulated rules by a 5 year old with a new shiny crayon) are ...... Well, I think you get the idea.😮
Prioritising traffic flow above all else is what creates dangerous road designs, especially for people not driving
@@miz4535 pressuring pedestrians to cross when they would otherwise be happy to wait leads them to make poor decisions
@@SmokeySmudgeStudioThey aren't making poor decisions. It's the dangerous drivers that are. Also, I find waiting an annoyance. I'm not "happy" to wait but sometimes I do out of self preservation. You think your driving is more important than other people walking and should be prioritised.
@@ianhill4585That's what makes them dangerous. They have no place where there are pedestrians. Either redesign them, have lower traffic levels, or introduce lights.
0.40 that walking pace jog that lets the driver know they’re grateful for you stopping and I’ll get off the road asap 😊
The things that Ogmios likes to see, the wave, the jog, the double wave...
@@alastairward2774 😁
@@user-fo9bv2mm1g same 😆
2:17 This clip sums up nicely the obvious problem caused by the lack of publicity and the ignorance of the general car driving public. The traffic following the cammer was clearly expecting them not to come to a stop and, I suspect, the horn was because they performed an emergency stop.
Until there is more general knowledge of these rules I remain very wary of applying them. Its all very well explaining to your insurer that there was a pedestrian who wanted to cross but if the other party who rear ended you claims you came to an abrupt stop they're probably going to get a 50/50 decision and given that the front of the car behind will likely be more damaged that'll be a big claim on my record just for trying to follow the rules.
There was no problem. The pedestrians were able to cross safely, there were no collisions and everyone was able to get to where they wanted to go. It all worked as it should.
You should never stop abruptly. Better to slow gently. More pleasant for the pedestrians and you won't get rear ended.
@@ditch3827 Yawn! 🥱
@@ditch3827a lot of objections to the rules seem to rely on all sorts of strange interpretations of the laws of physics.
That or an objection to belting through town at the highest speed possible.
@@ditch3827 the car behind blasting their horn would beg to differ and that is my point. They evidently DID see it as a problem and that’s why it’s often difficult to apply these rules. Of course the blame is on that driver who doesn’t know the rules and seems to think the cammer is some sort of idiot for letting pedestrians cross but us knowing they’re a **** doesn’t solve the wider problem with these new rules only being applied by 20% of drivers (and that’s a generous estimate).
@@awild10I don't think he's old enough to drive and just trying to get a rise out of people.
It would make sense to have pedestrian crossings at all junctions where pedestrians can be given priority. Many side road junctions are already raised so adding black & white stripes would be easy & would stop any confusion.. on any junctions raised or not.
This kind of pedestrian crossing at junctions is very common in the U.S & serves as a working example.
I was talking to my grandson about this and his take on it was to mark the road with a pedestrian crossing where cars were to give way to pedestrians. I must say it made some sense to me as this would clear up any confusion and give a clear sign in the road to both pedestrians and car drivers.
I noticed when I was recently is Denmark that drivers were of a much higher standard than here in the UK. Pedestrians were better behaved and cyclists were almost exemplary. I perceived that they have rules similar to our new rules given what I observed drivers and it seems to work. I think that there is much work to be done with road use attitudes, let alone getting people to adhere to rules that they don't know about.
I have said for along time now that there should be some sort of "CPC" style course for ALL drivers (not just HGV and bus drivers) to go over any changes in the highway code and legislations. How many people in all honesty have read a highway code since passing their test? I would argue its a relatively small percentage.
It ought to be an offence for pedestrians to piss about with their phones and not look where they're going.
and pedestrians need educating on the green crosscode i see many lunatica running into the carriageway the k
last seconds a car is coming the crossing is only 20 seconds further up
I re read the code when these new changes came in, trying to get into the rationale and psyche of the idiots who formulated the code, and the Lemmings who would follow the code.
IMO two things need to happen for these changes to be effective. Firstly, mandatory retesting of drivers on theory and practical driving every 5 years.
Secondly, change the roads so the priority is obvious. Start painting a mini version of a zebra crossing at junctions. It works in Europe and can work here as the the markings will give a good visual reminder to drivers that they need to watch out for pedestrians
Basically as a pedestrian or a cyclist, you can never just trust that a motorist will follow the rules… assuming they even know the rules! I don’t want my headstone to read “But I had the right of way!”. A bigger problem though is that the police have given up enforcement almost entirely. The only laws that are still enforced are those that can be automated with speed cameras and red-light cameras.
This was always going to be a difficult rule to change as it involves a core understanding in most people that roads are for vehicles. IMO such a fundamental change to the way people think about junctions needed a 6 month TV, radio and print campaign to even have a chance of succeeding.
Roads are built for people to use and that includes as a pedestrian, a horse rider as well as any road vehicle, except where exclusions apply.
A core misunderstanding, then, because the highway code has treated pedestrians and horse riders as much road users as a motor vehicle. But I guess law makers should just cave to ignorant, reckless and lazy cretins. I've not met one person who has universally decried all of the new rules who was a good or responsible driver. Not one.
@@thecrispymaster I didn't say the rule is bad. I said the public awareness campaign was weak. So weak that I'm sure most road users will have either not heard about the changes, or not understood them correctly.
It is a stupid rule change because at no point am I going to put my safety when crossing a road in the hands of someone else. I cross when and where I feel it is safe to do so.
@@Rover200Power So a car following the rules and stopping to allow you to cross wouldn't make it clear it as safe to proceed? Nobody is saying you should just walk out into the road and hope people stop. Do you understand the rule?
Is there anything our government hasn’t messed up in last 13 years
Their wage increases?
They completely nailed the total and absolute demise of the UK, to be fair.
Fortunately this is not one of them
Yes. They excel at "creaming off".
And that's about it.
@@ditch3827 Yawn! 🥱
The whole thing was a huge mistake. No way am I stopping on a main road to get rear-ended. And certainly not on the exit to a roundabout.
You'll just knock a pedestrian who is stepping out into a road down instead??
@@glenn1534If they're actually in the road, then I'll stop if it's safe. Sadly, so many pedestrians are so engrossed in what's on their phone that they don't look. There ought to be a law that pedestrians look where they're going, same as cyclists and drivers are supposed to (but don't, very often) do.
@@TestGearJunkie. I'd agree that too many pedestrians are too engrossed in their phones, but the same could be said for many drivers too.
The law about not using a phone while driving has been around for over 2 decades, but the amount of drivers using them seems to be getting worse. On this basis I couldn't imagine introducing a law stopping pedestrians using them would make things better.
I’m currently in Iceland and it’s taken me the best part of a week to realise that the pedestrian priority rule is in place here and it works. A childhood of hedgehogs and ‘those’ adverts have it ingrained into me that the big metal box is dangerous so I don’t just step out.
I think it’s just culturally ingrained into us that we wait until the car stops or is clear before proceeding and that means that flow is massively disrupted. The disruption in flow is itself a danger.
I took two of my kids to Sopot/Gdansk a few years ago when they were of primary school age, and we were astonished to find drivers stopping if we were anywhere near a crossing. Budapest, unless it's changed in the past 20 years, would have been pretty much the opposite. I had got the impression that I would find that Cluj (Romania) would have rather uninhibited drivers, but I found that crossings seemed to be observed pretty religiously.
The majority of the time I've found these rules easy to implement and free of a lot of risk. When entering a roundabout or leaving a side road, facilitating a pedestrian crossing is really easy and usually not a hassle at all.
Often I'll find myself just going when entering a side road at a T-junction though, as trying to communicate to the pedestrian they can cross when there's a gap in the traffic I'm trying to cross is really difficult. Most of the time the pedestrian will cross while I'm not able to and in the rare circumstances where we're trying to go at the same time, I'll look for the pedestrian for a cue: if they go I wait, if they wait I go. Trying to follow the rules in that scenario just seems to hold everyone up as the pedestrian will take a few seconds to get the message and traffic behind could be building up. Just much better to facilitate flow there as the lane of traffic closest to the side road will usually create plenty of safe time for the pedestrian to cross.
However, exiting roundabouts is sketchy. I've found you basically need to have your eyes glued to the rearview mirror to watch the cars behind, and watch the pedestrian waiting to cross in your peripheral. Slow early and be ready to abort if the vehicle behind isn't slowing. For roundabouts on 30mph roads I feel like it's usually very easy to give way safely, but I have a number of 50/60mph roads with roundabouts on my commute. There I feel like you need to be slowing for at least 5 seconds before stopping to be sure the vehicles behind are following suit, and only then make eye contact with the pedestrian to make sure they know they can cross. Feels sketchy most of the time though, and I've definitely had situations where the behaviour of vehicles behind stops me from trying it.
As a pedestrian I will wait at a crossing on the exit of a roundabout for a gap in traffic and a safe opportunity to cross without impending any flow. If I’m a pedestrian standing there at a crossing on the exit of a roundabout and you leave the roundabout and stop for me I think you’re a moron (especially if there are now cars behind you causing a queue on the roundabout itself).
Years ago we educated pedestrians how to keep themselves safe … remember stop look and listen and only cross when it’s clear. Drivers stopping for crossing pedestrians at any little bit of dropped kerb is a hazard.
Highway Code document should be a free publication
free online
They do have it on the gov website, but they also made sure to split it into multiple hard to navigate sections
@@OutlawJackC yes I know, that's exactly what I was meaning.
A simple PDF format should be available for free.
Plus all the variants such as for HGV, Northern Ireland, etc.
(How many people knew there is a Northern Ireland version of the UK Highway Code?!)
@@RiverMerseyI do, but then I live in Northern Ireland!
The NI HC is also available here as a free PDF download.
Thankfully, we have not yet taken on the insane HC changes Ashley is talking about. I am hoping NI politicians will see the shambles they have produced in England and will resist that change.
@@RiverMersey: Strangely enough, seeing that Know Your Traffic Signs comes as a free .pdf, I always wondered why the Highway Code didn't at least come with a .pdf version too... it's surely not that difficult to take all the pages in their different places and make it into a .pdf, or do the same as for KYTS...?
I'm an HGV driver of 19 years and during our periodical CPC training we all agreed the whole thing has been poorly presented by The Department of Transport. Unfortunately, knowing how the law works with Britain's road rules, as we're told, if it's available to be read, there's no excuse for not knowing about it.
I've got to say, as an automotive safety engineer, that these changes are effectively putting people's lives in danger. If you perform a full hazard and risk assessment in the applicable environments the outcome would have been very different.
I would argue that dissemination of the rules is not the problem - the rules are. Many of them are not intuitive and go against what "common sense" would lead you to do. Plus they represent reversal of 100 years of established behaviour patterns, and they are not linked in any way with road markings.
So personally i would say that they should review these rules and introduce road markings to guide motorists.
- Cycle paths should be clearly marked (in blocked colour) and if you are turning across them then you should have to give way to any cyclists coming from behind. Cyclists filtering up the left without a marked cycle lane should have to give way to cars turning. This at least makes cyclists look out for their own safety at bit more.
- Crossings at junctions should be marked on the road, in blocked colour again. At those crossings motorists should have to stop. At unmarked normal junctions they should not. We've had zebra crossings for decades, what made them think these were a bad idea exactly?
- And my personal favourite: These road designs should be consistent nationally. Local designers should not be allowed their own fanciful and pretty interpretations.
Just last week I was trying to cross at a roundabout with an elderly gentleman. The pelican crossing was too far away for him to walk to, so we had no option. We crossed the first lane ok and waited on the island between lanes for the traffic xoming off the roundabout to give way. We waited for at least 5 minutes, until at last a learner stopped to allow us to cross.
Thanks for a this video as I wasn't aware of these rules.. This issue along with some jobsworths at the DSA are the reason why I won't be training as a driving instructor
Got to say i only became aware of the rules change due to your channel, ive also like to think ive become a more friendly driver due to your channel as i was a very much ' My space , my road ' kind of guy to ' all roads and people have as much right as i do and to always be thinking of how can i make situations safer for everyone and not just myself.
Thnk you and please keep up the brilliant work you do.
I said it right at start gross stupidity. The most vulnerable should take the most care. Anybody in their right mind wouldn’t step out in front of a vehicle that can cause them harm or death. I always give way to anything that can cause me harm, standing back from crossing and waving vehicles through keeps you safe. This was probably implemented by same people that came up with not so smart motorways.
I agree with you... a little bit. Everyone should take care, not just the most vulnerable. The more you[r vehicle] can cause damage, the more you should take care
No, the people who pose the most danger should take the most care
On the contrary the rules make perfect sense and protect the most vulnerable and make our roads safer and more pleasant.
Or just exercise common sense and look out for each other. The rules as they are, are not fit for purpose, and causing more confusion.
@@ditch3827 Yawn! 🥱
Some years ago my friend stopped as he was turning into a side road to let pedestrians cross and was soundly smashed up the back by the vehicle behind. Having said that my memory is that it has always been you give way to pedestrians crossing at a junction - but only where it is safe to do so not when you are being tailgated by a maniac in an old transit who doesn’t even speak English!
I've always taken the Highway code as a mix of law, road craft and etiquette.
They need to add zebra crossings on entrances/exits to roundabouts if they want these absurd rules to be followed.. its way to dangerous as it is!! If they want the rules to be followed they need to accommodate.. but I don't think they want to spend that extra bit of money to put some fresh paint on the roads.. not surprising with the amount of pot holes on UK roads! Its embarrassing! 😅
You've taught me a lot Ash, and I will continue learning from you; (the best) however I find this rule absolutely ridiculous! 😊
Learners being failed for complying with the rules beggars belief.
I have long lost faith in government departments thinking about the consequences of their actions or lack of. I have no problem with giving way to a pedestrian who is actually crossing a road, but the confusion where someone is just standing on the pavement is a recipe for disaster.
If I failed the test or had a kid that failed the test for going by the rules I'd be going to who ever is over them.
Pembrokeshire County Council have decided to ignore the changes to the highway code and stated that for safety motorists have priority !
I cannot see how anyone would think that could possibly work in practice having different rules in different counties. It very much assumes that people outside of Pembrokeshire don't visit Pembrokeshire.
County councils do not have any authority to overide or enforce those aspects of the highway code. Try quoting the county council as a defence in court if you believe what you said.
Full credit to you Ashley for the massive effort you have put into this. You have done more, in my eyes, than anyone else or any institution. Am I right in thinking that the rules application on roundabouts was confirmed to you once over the telephone, or has there been additional interactions. With the lack of reciprocal communication from DVLA are you beginning to doubt they have a position on this. I would have thought that there would have been some sort of interaction between that Government and the industry ADI, RoSPA, IAM in their consultation stage and implication stage. It is completely unacceptable that this is not the case.
The big issue with stopping when exiting a roundabout is the risk of getting rear ended! and generally the same can be said for junctions. so in many cases the new rules actually make the situation more dangerous. more so when you take into account cyclists and pedestrians do not have to undergo any formal training and testing before being let lose on the roads.
When you originally contacted the press department at the dvsa at the start of these rules, the person who replied got it WRONG by telling you that the rules apply to roundabouts. Since then you have repeatedly and consistently in countless videos insisted these rules apply to roundabouts despite others disagreeing. NORMAL ROUNDABOUT RULES APPLY ie...."watch out for pedestrians crossing when entering an exiting" It's almost like you don't want common sense to apply? and would rather have rules for the sake off rules (and insist on defending them) despite to every rational thinking person, they clearly increase risk. Just because you believe you are right it doesn't mean you are
I think you’re angry at Ashley for trying to help us all understand what the Highway Code wants from us. He’s tried again to contact the DVSA direct to see if there are changes to the roundabout guidance he was previously told and the DVSA haven’t replied.
You’re angry at the wrong person. Have you contacted the DVSA for clarity? If you have a reply put it on here so we can all understand.
In the meantime be understanding of others simply trying to help and kindness will win.
Total and utter shambles . Whoever dreamt this up needs sacked . Rear end shunts .
Coming back to this after finishing my work call out, one thing that I believe with the rule changes (mainly due to very poor to non existent communication from DVSA) is the subtext for the changes.
At present, many drivers accelerate hard through roundabouts, many drivers don't slow down turning into side roads, many drivers do not observe their surroundings. The changes, if applied correctly by everyone, should result in more care through roundabouts, more care around junctions and above all else more observations by everyone using the road...pedestrians and cyclists included.
I for one, since the changes, have been more aware of looking at all exits of a roundabout and not just the one I am taking. This allows me to see if anyone is going to cross, if anyone is going to emerge into my path, if there is a blockage that might result in someone changing direction. These additional observations are now second nature and part of my approach to any junction. It has also helped to see a lot of issues around long before they arise (not all and I still do make the odd mistake as regular viewers will know).
It is too much to ask the entire driving population to change, and I know a few would become very resistant if the message was "The changes are to make you more observant" as many don't like to be told they are doing things wrong, but if the majority of us do things right then there will be an attitude shift for the better across the whole road and cycling network
I think its brilliant to be honest and makes a lot of sense at roundabouts. I dont get what the issue is to just slow down a little but so people don't have to stand forever to cross. Just requires a bit of coutesy. I make sure i give them loads of space though in case some numpty goes into the back of me
I have seen a few comments recently elsewhere regarding pedestrians stepping out on traffic light controlled junctions where people are saying the cammer should be slowing down anyway to give priority to those wishing to cross the road, which my understanding is not strictly true as pedestrians should be waiting for their signal to turn green but going slower is usually better just in case
I have had very few issues giving way to pedestrians at roundabouts (only once I had to continue as a driver was coming up behind accelerating hard) and more drivers where I am are starting to get it more as well which is nice to see. But there are still a small group that just don’t look or simply just don’t care. Such as continuing up and blocking the crossing point due to vehicles already waiting with pedestrians waiting to cross at said crossing point 🤷🏻♂️
I have a horrible feeling that as more road users start to understand the rules, get used to them and things become more normal, the DVSA are going to do something like tweak the rules to make it more confusing for everyone
There are no jay walking laws here and it is quite lawful for pedestrians to cross when and when ever they choose, subject to duty of care.
Many traffic light controlled junctions are not controlled for pedestrians and in these case pedestrians have priority over turning traffic
@@ditch3827 Yawn! 🥱
I'm sorry pedestrians...but if you cross on a pedestrian light controlled crossing on red for you...I am NOT stopping. That light tells the pedestrian to wait. The green traffic light tells cars they can proceed, and sudden stops on green lights are just idiotically risky. Doubly so as I am on a motorcycle with no crumple zone other than my own body.
I am going to put my own safety ahead of someone who can't work out what the red man signifies.
@@Flakmagnet1701 Green means ‘give way to pedestrians who are crossing’ - this is in The Highway Code. Obviously not if it’s unsafe.
The Highway Code actually doesn’t say anything about this - but use common and give way if they are crossing.
Even after two months back here in Vancouver (and having lived here for 30 years in the past) as a pedestrian it never ceases to surprise me that cars will dutifully stop to let me cross the road when I'm still on the "sidewalk" and not even at any kind of crossing. This is totally routine over here, without any fuss or drama whatsoever. And no expectation for the pedestrian to pick up pace to hurry across either. I'll need to remind myself to switch back to UK "expected behaviour" upon my return, both as a motorist and a pedestrian.
Right? With all this complaining about allowing pedestrians to exist, as a Norwegian, I'm shocked! Pedestrians have always had the highest priority here. If you're a driver, you're driving something that can be extremely dangerous. And you should act like it
@@Daye04 Pretty much the same in the UK. However we have long had an uncorrected culture of rules not being enforced / followed.
One aspect of that is a significant cut of >2/3 in the number of specialist police officers since around 2000, and a good deal of populist myth-mongering in politics and some of our media about drivers as a 'persecuted minority' and a faked-up 'war on cars'.
Ah ! Blessed Country that does not have the Daily Mail !
@@Daye04 I think the driving culture here is that too many drivers see pedestrians as obstacles that slow their journey, rather than humans that are also trying to just live their lives.
This Highway Code change was meant to change that, but as you can see in the comments, some drivers resent the changes and get angry at people obeying them.
Just checking this comes up in the "top" category, as my immediate reply about burnaby mountain, and the reply that it was only available in "newest" category, were only available in the "newest" category, in your 11th comment thread .🤔
@@thomaselliot2257 Your explanation reminds me of Basil Fawlty's "letter from the chef" that he read out to the American guest as to why he didn't have the ingredients to make a Waldorf Salad.
I've had other road users getting angry at me for following the rules. I just think that they are totally unaware of the changes.
I'd like to add that a lot of lorry drivers (and, in my neck of the woods, tractor drivers) don't get this "order of vulnerability" thing either. What is it about tipper trucks and skip lorries? They're always driven about like they're a white van.
Same old, same old. want to change the rules but not spend the money implementing it correctly.
Roads are a mess thanks to the incompetent government departments.
Edit, incompetent spelling.😅
We should have road markings that clearly show where a pedestrian has the right of way to cross, we could name the markings after an animal, my suggestion would be a zebra.
yeah markings would help with the confusion since people can actually see and that would add flexibility for say roundabout exits to not have them.
As a footnote to my last post, I know a few DVSA examiners who don't like the new rules but don't want to speak out for 'fear of', 'upsetting the apple cart' and not 'towing the party line'. I always considered the old Highway Code 'advocating' equal responsibility to ALL road users not just some more than others.
I listened to the first remark and it was my exact observations too.
When it comes to entering side roads, I've tried giving way to pedestrians, yet they actually look at me bewildered as to why I stopped unless I wave them to show I'm giving way. It's like they don't realise they have priority and are in fact going off what we've all been told as children: stop, look, and listen, so they're expecting me to continue. The of course vehicles behind you can get annoyed. It's a bit of a mess really.
I've been in that situation, i've mumbled to myself "I shouldn't wave them across, i shouldn't wave them across" then i see another car come up behind me and i'm like "Go then!" 🫲👁️👄👁️ Then i see them waddle across.
Yeah i know there are better ways to deal with this but i can't help but feel pressured sometimes when i randomly stop in the middle of the road to give way to someone clueless. I'd rather continue as long as i keep an eye on them.
In my experience since the launch of the rules i can say about 60% of the time i've followed them and others i've felt too dangerous to stop. Especially on exits to roundabouts. I'm trying to get better but at the same time i feel that at least a few of them times i didn't stop i actually might have prevented a potential accident.
Definitely can't win , older pedestrians (myself included), will say "what the hell I can wait a few seconds" and not hold the vehicle up, thus reducing a potential rear end shunt, then you have the kids, the oiks and the terminally stupid ,just crossing the road and leaving their chances to fate, "does the driver know I'm just going to cross and hope for the best"?
It is called planning watch well ahead not someone is intending to cross the exit where you want to go and slow down way before, shouldn't need to stop just do a slow rolling ahead progression, i do it all the time in car and on my suzuki gsx1340bk. If you cant slow down safely then do not stop or slow 😊
For roundabout exits, as a pedestrian I walk a little further on so I have more space to see what's coming; you don't always know which exit a driver is going for. It gives a few more metres for everybody to see each other. If it's flowing, I keep walking and looking until there's a gap. Generally, I still use the *Green Cross Code* of stop, look and listen. Plenty of drivers will give a hand signal for me to cross, which I acknowledge, and I am often happy to wait a few seconds for those who wish to keep rolling. Except when I have a train to catch!
Part of the problem is that you're not allowed to wave or flash your lights at the pedestrian. As a result, it's often not clear to the pedestrian that you are giving way to them. The pedestrian can see that you have stopped, but they might not know why you have stopped. They might think you've stopped for another car somewhere. It's potentially dangerous because the pedestrian might understand and start to cross at the very moment you've given up waiting - so you end up driving right into them.
From the perspective of someone that works as a delivery driver, cycles to work, but also regularly walks in a built up city in the South West - the rules seem to work quite well.
When I'm out delivering in a van, I am acutely aware of my large size and significant blind spots, so always take extra care to watch out for vulnerable road users.
If a pedestrian is waiting to cross at a junction, and it is safe to do so, I am always able to let them cross. Or if someone on a pedal cycle needs to perform a manoeuvre in front, I hold back and let them do it as they haven't got the benefit of a large engine to propel them from a stop.
When walking I feel more confident and like there are less barriers as roads have been transformed from these dangerous scars across our cities into traversable crossings.
When cycling the vast majority of people give plenty of space, and are conscious of the fact that a bicycle has very different needs than a car.
It may be because I live in a city where people are generally more aware of other road users, but (either through encountering new situations forced on by others, or genuinely learning about it) most people that I encounter seem to be quite competent at following the new rules.
Great video as always Ashley, and your safety first attitude is always very well recieved.
As a professional driver who needs to be aware of road rules, because you both drive a company vehicle and represent that company's rep.
As an NHS community health worker, I tried to do the same, until a 'cyclist' rammed into the side of by car while I was turning right, then blamed me, took my details and rode off. It was, of course, a scam, and I paid for it, with increased insurance, trouble at work and a damaged car which said insurance wouldn't cover, all because I couldn't prove that I wasn't at fault. I got a dash-cam after that.
Saying this, I have tried to keep up with the changes and be aware of other road users, but I lapse occasionally. Oh, I was a biker, as well, and still have those awareness instincts, but sitting in a box is not the same as being out in the elements - you understand.
But, we were trained to bike and drive. Cyclists used to do the Cycling Proficiency Training and Test once, but not any more, it seems. *This needs to be taught at school* (over gender-bending pronoun stuff - apologies for being a bit political, here)!
And Pedestrians have always been assumed to have a natural instinct concerning road usage - they do not. But they *do* have a 'sense of entitlement' over other road users, as demonstrated by the dog walker in the clip 🙄.
My point? Pedestrians need to be taught, not just be expected to assume, road usage, and I have commented on ways to do that and how to disseminate the info. Otherwise, it will always be 'driver's fault', even when it isn't, unless they have a dashcam and can prove otherwise, in an RTA involving Pedestrians. Or cyclists, bikers, scooterists, e-scooterists, ect, ect, ect.... Drive, and ride safe.😁
It’s amazing how many people still aren’t aware of the high way code despite many articles and youtube videos.
As a HGV driver we have received zero training on all this crap. The roundabout one is just nuts the whole point of a roundabout is to keep traffic flowing, not cause random stoppages for no reason. The will be deaths because of this.
2:15 perfectly demonstrates the problem with that change. I've had so many situations like that, especially with older pedestrians who were taught not to just step out in to the road. Then you get angry drivers who can't understand why you've had to stop.
It perfectly demonstrates the new rules working well. The pedestrians were able to cross safely, there were no collisions and everyone was able to get to where they wanted to go. Huge success.
@@ditch3827 You have little to say and you're saying it again and again and again. The problem as Ashley has demonstrated in many videos is that these situations are never clear cut. You are deluded if you think they are.
@@ditch3827 Yawn! 🥱
The problem is the pedestrian and two drivers behind our camera didn't know what the rules were. If the rules aren't clear then people don't know what to expect and if you can't see the problem with that then you didn't listen to what Ashley was saying.@@ditch3827
@@donaldasayersIt all seems pretty clear cut to me, but then perhaps Im a safer driver than you.