New research suggests that more than half of British drivers are potentially at risk of receiving an eye-watering £1,000 fine…

An Eye-Watering Fine

The legal firm Slater & Gordon has warned that 56% of British drivers may be at risk of receiving a £1,000 fine. This is due to them potentially overlooking recent changes to the Highway Code. The changes were brought into effect on January 29th; and many are predicated on a new ‘hierarchy of road-users’. This sees priority granted to pedestrians and cyclists in a number of instances. Drivers, for instance, are now required to give priority to other road-users who are waiting to cross a road that they’re turning into. Cyclists are also encouraged to ride wherever they feel safest, including in the middle of the road. 

However, research suggests that many motorists are unaware of the new rules. Of those that are aware new rules have been implemented, there’s widespread confusion. Two in five drivers (39%) still believe they have right of way when turning into a new road. Nearly one in five (18%), rather alarmingly, believe pedestrians are at the bottom of the new hierarchy when, in fact, they’re at the top. Worryingly, 23% of drivers have admitted that they haven’t consulted the Highway Code in at least a decade.

Driver Education 

Tracey Benson, head of serious Injury at Slater and Gordon, commented on the new rules. She said, “it is crucial all road users educate themselves about the new hierarchy and how they now need to conduct themselves whilst using the road”. She added, “failure to do so could quickly result in a driving ban and significant fines; never mind injuries to other road users. It’s essential to stay up to date with the Highway Code. No matter how long you’ve been driving and not to be complacent”.

Fleets, then, have an obligation in terms of duty of care to educate their drivers and to ensure that they’re familiar with the new rules. After all, if they cause an accident due to the new changes their employee can be held liable, too. 

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