Drivers urged to update their Highway Code knowledge

Liverpool City Council is reminding all road users to refresh their Highway Code knowledge as research suggests the majority of drivers may be unaware of recent changes.

The changes, introduced by the Department for Transport in 2022, were designed to improve safety for vulnerable road users including pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders.

However, a recent London-based survey by Transport for London (TfL) found that only 16 per cent of respondents showed a correct understanding of the new rules, which aim to protect the most at-risk road users

Some of the most significant changes to the Highway Code include:

• Hierarchy of road users – which places more responsibility on those who can do the greatest harm to protect more vulnerable road users. All road users still have a duty to behave responsibly.
• Priority at junctions – Drivers must give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross at junctions.
• Safe passing distances – Drivers should leave at least 1.5m when overtaking cyclists, and 2m when passing pedestrians or horse riders.
• Cyclist positioning – Cyclists are advised to ride in the centre of their lane on quieter roads and at junctions to increase visibility.
• Dutch reach technique – Drivers and passengers are encouraged to use the hand furthest from the door to open it, helping to avoid collisions with passing cyclists.

These changes aim to reduce collisions and injuries, encourage safer habits among road users and support active travel by making walking and cycling safer.

The Council is committed to promoting road safety and has set its Vision Zero 2040 goal to eliminate all road deaths and serious injuries.

A series of campaigns have been run in the past year to raise awareness of important road safety issues. Examples include ‘Give Cyclists Space’, ‘Kill Your Speed’ and ‘Belt Up in the Back’.

More information on the Highway Code changes can be found on the Government website, or through the Council’s Road Safety Team.

Councillor Dan Barrington, Cabinet Member for Transport and Connectivity said: “We’re asking all road users, whether you drive, cycle, walk or ride, to familiarise themselves with the Highway Code.

“The changes over the past few years are about making roads as safe as possible for everyone. We don’t want to see people getting hurt on the road and we can all do our bit to make sure it doesn’t happen.

“Every road user has a role to play in keeping our streets safe.”