Changes to the Highway Code for pedestrians - the new rules all road users need to be aware of

By Cathryn Godfrey, a serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell

On 29 January the new Highway Code comes into force which changes the rules relating to pedestrians.  

The current Highway Code requires all road users to be considerate towards one another and the principle is applied equally to drivers, pedestrians, horse riders and cyclists.  Effectively pedestrians including children walking to school have equal responsibility to a lorry driver when considering responsibility for their own safety as well as that of others. 

The new hierarchy of road users

The new Highway Code includes a hierarchy of road users.  This places those who have the potential to do the most harm with the greatest responsibility to reduce danger to others. This change is designed to protect the most vulnerable road users which include pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders and drivers of horse drawn vehicles.  They are vulnerable because they have the greatest risk of serious injury in a collision.   

Priority

There is a new rule - H2 in the revised Code - which gives priority to pedestrians at junctions waiting to cross a road.  This is in addition to the existing rule that pedestrians who have started to cross the road into which a vehicle is turning must be given priority.

The new rules state that at a junction you should also give way to pedestrians waiting to cross the road into which or from which you are turning.

Avoiding distractions

There are also new rules for pedestrians with regard to their responsibilities within the updated Highway Code.  As before pedestrians should use pavements and footways if provided and where possible pedestrians should avoid being next to the kerb with their back to the traffic. In addition,  the advice in the Code now requires pedestrians to always remain aware of their environment and avoid unnecessary distractions. This will be relevant to situations where a pedestrian has earphones in or is talking or looking at their phone. 

Being visible

When crossing at junctions the advice for pedestrians had changed and now includes guidance that you  cross at a place where you are visible to drivers.  This means that if pedestrians are unsure whether they can be seen by a driver perhaps due to parked cars or other obstructions they should find a more suitable crossing place, even though they have priority over vehicles coming in to or out of the junction.   

The Highway Code changes in relation to pedestrians are welcomed  as an important step to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads.  However, there needs to be full understanding and knowledge of the rule changes by all road users for them to be fully effective.  

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in helping people affected by road collisions and their families at our dedicated road traffic accidents section.

The Highway Code changes in relation to pedestrians are welcomed as an important step to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads. However, there needs to be full understanding and knowledge of the rule changes by all road users for them to be fully effective. ”