News

Changes made to the Highway Code to improve safety for vulnerable road users

Saturday, 29 January 2022

Following a public consultation process, a number of changes have been made to the Highway Code, in order to improve road safety for people walking, cycling and riding horses. The consultation ran from July to October 2020 and received more than 20,000 responses from individuals, businesses and other organisations. The resulting changes come into effect from today, 29 January, and nine sections and a total of 50 rules have been added or updated. Of these, there are a number that apply directly to equestrians.

1. Hierarchy of road users

A hierarchy of road user ranks has been introduced, based on the danger they pose to others in the event of a collision. Those in charge of vehicles that can cause the greatest harm now bear the greatest responsibility to behave considerately and in a way that minimises the danger they pose to others. Horse riders sit second in the hierarchy, behind pedestrians and equal with cyclists, but ahead of motorcyclists and cars. HGVs are considered to be at the bottom of the hierarchy. However, all users must continue to use roads responsibility and follow the Highway Code, regardless of their place in the hierarchy.

2. Walking, cycling or riding in shared spaces

If you’re cycling, riding a horse or driving a horse-drawn vehicle, then you’re asked to respect the safety of people on foot while using shared spaces such as roads. However, walkers must also ensure that they don’t obstruct shared spaces or potentially endanger other users.

Cyclists are now required to:

• Not pass close to walkers, horse riders and carriage drivers or at high speed, especially when approaching from behind.
• Slow down when necessary and alert walkers, horse riders and carriage drivers of their presence – for example, by ringing their bell or calling out.
• Not pass a horse on the horse’s left side.
• Remember that people on foot may be deaf, blind or partially sighted.

3. Overtaking while driving or cycling

There is now updated guidance on safe passing distances and speeds for drivers and motorcyclists when overtaking vulnerable road users. These include:

• Passing horse riders and carriage drivers at speeds under 10mph and allowing at least 2 metres (6.5 feet) or space.
• Leaving at least 1.5 metres (5 feet) when overtaking cyclists at speeds of up to 30mphand giving them even more space if travelling at higher speeds.
• Allowing at least 2 metres (6.5 feet) or space and keeping to a low speed when overtaking people walking in the road.

Drivers should wait behind vulnerable road users and not overtake if it’s unsafe or not possible to leave enough space to safely pass. Provided the road is clear, drivers may cross double white lines to overtake a cyclist or horse rider travelling at 10mph or less.

4. People cycling, riding a horse or driving a horse-drawn vehicle on a roundabout

It’s already in the Highway Code that, if you’re cycling, riding a horse or driving a horse-drawn vehicle, that you may stay in the left-hand lane of a roundabout, even if you are travelling across or continuing around it. This has now been updated to warn drivers to take extra care when entering a roundabout to ensure that they don’t cut across cyclists, horse riders and carriage drivers travelling in the left-hand lane.

Further information

The Highway Code applies to all road users in England, Scotland and Wales. Many of the rules are legal requirements and any disobedience will be seen as a criminal offence. Disregard of the other rules can be used as evidence in court to establish liability in the event of an accident.

Further details about some of the changes are available to read here. The full Highway Code is available online for free, or you can download an app version for your phone.

The British Horse Society’s Director of Safety, Alan Hiscox, was a guest on Jeremy Vine’s BBC2 radio show on Wednesday to talk about the changes. You can listen to the discussion here.