New research suggests that a significant amount of drivers believe that proposed changes to the Highway Code could makes roads less safe…

Highway Code Concerns 

Pending approval from Parliament, new changes are coming to the Highway Code from January 29th. These would, in essence, create a ‘hierarchy of road-users’, granting increased priority to the likes of pedestrians and cyclists. However, a survey conducted by  Venson Automotive Solutions suggests that many drivers are concerned that the changes will make the nation’s roads less safe. 

The survey found that 79% of respondents felt that allowing cyclists to pass slower-moving or stationary traffic on the right or left, including at the approach to junctions, was dangerous. Cyclists are advised to consider when it’s safe to do so; but, naturally, many motorists have recognised the degree of subjectivity involved in making such a judgement. Some 58% of the drivers also didn’t support pedestrians getting priority when crossing or waiting to cross a road into which the driver is turning. There was less agreement on remaining behind cyclists and motorcyclists at junctions, though, as respondents were divided 50-50. 

Work for Fleets

Alison Bell, marketing director for Venson Automotive Solutions, has stressed the importance of the Highway Code changes to fleets. She said, “if all the proposed changes come into force there is a lot of new information for drivers to take on-board. It’s essential that businesses operating a fleet of vehicles have a process in place to allow drivers to familiarise themselves with new changes, as well as brush up on existing rules”.

She continued, “businesses and drivers have a duty of care to themselves, other road users and pedestrians. A failure to understand the new rules and correctly implement them could result in financial penalties, law breaking or worse, guilty of an avoidable accident”. 

Council Makes £442,000 In Fines From One Bus Lane – https://autoservefleet.co.uk/latest-news/council-makes-442-000-in-fines-from-one-bus-lane/

Public Charge Points Up By 37% In 2021 – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/public-charge-points-up-by-37-in-2021/

With over 16,000 approved garages, a 24/7 support service and a host of cost-saving offers, we can keep your fleet moving and operational. Call one of our professional Service Advisers on 0121 521 3500 for more details.