As a driver, cyclist, pedestrian (and childhood victim of a car knock-down) I can see a scenario where an almost constant stream of 'prioritised' crossing pedestrians could block an exit and grind a High Street to a halt. As a pedestrian waiting to cross a road I'm happy to keep my 'intention to cross' low-key until there's a natural gap in the traffic, rather than assert a right and hold up one solitary vehicle for the sake of it. There has to be give and take from all parties and, of course, common sense and courtesy. Back in the days of the Green Cross Code, we were urged not to cross a road immediately next to a junction but some way in from the junction. Above all, we were taught that roads were dangerous places and to keep our wits about us irrespective of our 'rights'. Good advice then and good advice now.
@Will Swift Norway. 2.5 million cars. UK. 36.5 million. Norway is also 25% greater in landmass. I really think some of these rules are going to create a real headache for the steady progression of vehicles in built up areas with a sizeable pedestrian footfall.
@@Mark-yb5bv It is maybe deliberately designed to slow motor vehicles down . Maybe more people will then realise they can get to where they are going much faster on a bike.
Thanks for the updates Ashley. However, as a pedestrian in Bradford, I'll just wait for cars to complete their turn before I cross. I don't particularly want to be mowed down by some kid travelling 40mph in a 20mph zone. Nor do I want the car that does stop and give me priority, to be rear ended by someone looking at their phone and shunting that car into my legs.
But as I understand it, the new rule is that if drivers see someone on the pavement showing intention to cross, they will be expected to stop, so they won't complete their turn until you've crossed. At the moment if I'm at a junction waiting to cross and I can see that a vehicle is approaching and indicating to turn I'll usually waive them on and cross after them so as not hold up traffic. This new rule appears to take that option away from pedestrians, because even if they do this drivers will still be expected to stop until they've crossed.
@@joe909 I have to agree with you and @wileywilson. I'll try to wait for a gap. Just watched Ashley's video on the POV of a pedestrian. Literally no-one waited for him when he attempted to cross at a roundabout. Whilst I may have priority as a pedestrian, the risk to me is way too great to make any assumptions. It's the inconsistency at the moment that is the biggest risk, and until everyone gets it, there are going to be misunderstandings, which will increase the possibility of peds getting hit, bikes getting sideswiped and cars getting rear-ended.
@wileywilson. Well done. You have highlighted the basic problem with the rule which is that it is up to pedestrian to know that it relies on them understanding that it is the driver who either gives priority to the pedestrian....or not. The rule only states that the driver 'should', not that they must.
I think the roundabout issue you highlight is possibly the most dangerous. Plenty of road users are looking right for their "gap" to enter the roundabout, suddenly there could be queuing traffic back onto the roundabout on their left. Obviously if everyone drove slowly, calmly, attentively then this would be less of an issue but we all know they don't. More importantly it does seem counter-intuitive regarding roundabouts. Roundabouts are designed to maximise traffic flow and these rules will reduce traffic flow. Edit: Additionally as you mention lights controls later on, I think you are right that the lights should be allowed to control all road users, otherwise chaos can ensue with pedestrians preventing traffic from moving at the only time that traffic can move. Possibly leading to cars being trapped inside junctions. Leading to increased cost on councils to add barriers, yellow boxes in the junctions etc.
I agree. In an ideal world these changes wouldn't be a problem, but it's a long way from an ideal world. However, there are already problems and dangers, so the question is whether these new rules make things better or worse. I think in the long term it should and could be a big improvement, but there will be plenty of short term pain first. The roundabout situation is particularly worrying and, in the clip in the video, if the car had given way to the pedestrian, the van could well have collided with the car, which would also have put the pedestrian at risk. Frankly, having an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing point at a busy roundabout is potentially lethal. As for the rule for traffic light controlled junctions and crossings, that needs spelling out in the Code. Surely, if there's a red light facing any road user which applies to that user then the rule should be that they MUST NOT proceed until the light changes to green. A red man symbol at a crossing applies to pedestrians.
Yes - seems really dangerous to me… at a busy round-about is so easy to be focussed on finding a gap. You move off, and you don’t expect the car that’s just about to exit the round about to jam on its breaks and block. In this situation, there is already so much to take in and predict. It’s not really a matter of creating a queue… just that one car that fails to clear will cause carnage. If this rule is really going to be adopted, roundabouts need pedestrian fencing so to you can only cross a cars length back from the roundabout exit…
Yes, the junctions seem a good idea - us drivers should just slow down in advance before turning. Drivers behind them should be aware they could stop too. This is all good. The roundabout is an exception to the rule. Maybe should be added to the highway code - that it excludes roundabouts.
@@broadsword6650 The Highway code just says Pedestrians "Should not" cross on a Red Man. However it is not Illegal to do so, unfortunately if you collide you best have a dashcam to show you had a Green Light and had little chance to stop. However that will only give a slight amount of weight on your behalf if you do hit a pedestrian that negligently runs into the road.
I agree, however I would also state that if you're not glancing left, regularly, when attempting to pull on to a roundabout, you're a poor driver. One should be looking for a gap AND making sure the road ahead is clear.
I confess i don't like the junction rule very much. I would much prefer formal pedestrian crossings in these locations. That way it is clear to everyone what they are for, and they can be set back 5-6m from the junction, which will help to avoid drivers having to stop in the middle of a carriageway when turning right and finding a pedestrian wants to cross. On busy days the presence of a lot of pedestrians could essentially "close" a right turn too, which will cause a major backlog of cars.
Crossings being sited round a corner , out of sight of traffic on the main road , is so dangerous . I was second of two cars turning left off a main road : the car in front of me stopped suddenly , mid turn , as there was someone on the crossing ; I stopped safely and the car behind stopped without hitting me , but then there was a four or five car pile up on the NSL A road we were all travelling on .
My biggest concern is that from a young age, we’re taught stop look listen. This new code is almost encouraging people to be reckless while crossing the road as they can almost assume they will be safe as drivers will stop. However this is Britain where no one on the road likes to help others and many people will not get the memo in time.
That's how I see it too. There is already a shocking number of pedestrians who just walk out into zebra crossings without ensuring cars have seen them. This rule is going to spread the issue to all junctions.
I agree. It's pandering the lowest level. Many pedestrians are already careless at looking over their shoulder to check for cars turning into the road they're crossing. I think most drivers are aware and ready to stop for them, but the new rule just encourages this bad habit from pedestrians. I mean, why do they even need to be "waiting" to cross now? What are they waiting for if they have the right of way?
@@jwalker7567 there was a clip of exactly this in the last video Ashley did on these changes. I don't "turn off" my awareness just because I'm walking but it's clear some people do.
I find it hard to believe that this “Guidance” has been rolled out so quietly, the old Stop, Look and listen was a massive TV campaign, H2 At a junction you should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road INTO which or FROM which you are turning. Does this imply that at ANY form of junction the pedestrian has the right to step out in front of a vehicle? Unfortunately I fear that at a Cross road junction, the pedestrian will see an approaching car indicating to turn right or left, the driver gives way, the pedestrian steps straight into the path of an oncoming car from the opposite direction who was going straight ahead. Will the pedestrian remember that this rule only applies at Junctions or does it ? Official Clarity is urgently needed as accidents will unfortunately happen or will this just join the SMART motorway fiasco of improvements
@@tonyc9793 unfortunately the rules are so badly written it is impossible to work out exactly what they are. Even Ashley in this video says he doesn't know exactly how they apply to every scenario.
The wording is advisory with a "you should" rather than a "you must". I think this really depends on the situation and if it's safe to do so. As a motorcylist i would feel rather unsafe doing this all the time and getting rear ended!
I see your point. One way to view a 'should' is that you may end up having to explain to a court why you didn't. So it is a little more than allow expression of a preference. More like "you need a very good excuse not to". But yes the rear-ending thing is a worry because huge numbers of people ain't gonna get the memo.
Normally I agree with what you say, and you are the expert here, as an instructor. I've learned a lot from your videos and I think myndroving has improved. However, to suggest that the white fiesta should basically stop on the roundabout whilst they wait to see if the pedestrian decides to cross or not is frankly ridiculous. I think these rules will lead to more rear end collisions turning into and out of roads, and with pedestrians who will now wander out into roads because "my right of way" as they go under the two ton vehidle.
exactly this scenario happened to me today ... pedestrian waiting right at the exit from a very busy 3 lane mini round about. ... no way was I going to stop blocking the lanes in the heavy traffic. I'd have been rear-ended for sure. Fortunately the pedestrian didn't appear to have read the new Highway Code. Although it used to work fine (speeds are low and most people are cautious), this roundabout needs a complete re-design to accommodate the Highway Code changes...
I have to agree with you. Stopping on a roundabout, especially a major one, is dangerous. You cannot always see if there are pedestrians about to cross an exit when you enter a roundabout. I thought Rule 170 'give way to pedestrians' applies to junctions, but not roundabouts. The only guidance I can see on roundabouts is Rule 187 - "watch out for and give plenty of room to pedestrians who may be crossing the approach and exit roads". I interpret this as watch out for pedestrians already crossing. This doesn't mean you need to stop before a roundabout exit to let all pedestrians cross. In my experience, stopping on a roundabout is highly likely to lead to you getting rear-ended by traffic behind you looking right and not ahead. Happy to be challenged, it just isn't clear enough in the guidance. There is specific guidance for roundabouts and none of that mentions giving way to pedestrians. Is a roundabout exit a junction? I don't think so.
Very interesting. I'm okay with pedestrians crossing a "normal" junction at its something that a lot of folk already pay attention to. But..... that scenario with the roundabout makes me a bit nervous. How do you interact with the pedestrian to let them know you've seen them? Your speed at a roundabout exit tends to be higher than if you were turning into a junction. This is a complex rule change and I'm not sure if it's progress.
It's arguable that it's no more than a clarification. Certainly the accompanying official blurb for the rules change argues that these are "clarifications". (Personally, I'm not sure that I agree.) Rule #7 is the Green Cross Code, and one could make the argument that if a pedestrian is doing _Stop, Look, Listen_ xe is "crossing", because xe has begun the procedure for crossing the road. The real change is that the idea, held by some, that pedestrians have to have at least one foot on the carriageway has gone away. The change (in the very next rule, rule #8, amongst other places) changes "crossing" in the rules as they are now to "crossing or waiting to cross", and by the aforegiven argument is simply clarifying that "crossing" is not intended to be narrowly construed as only already walking across the carriageway.
I'm going to be honest, I can see myself accidentally shunting the rear-left of a car that's stopped for a pedestrian at a roundabout just outside my peripheral vision when I've expected them to be clear of the road ahead. Such an incident will obviously stem from a behaviour that I need to improve on, and luckily I'm aware of it-a lot of drivers won't be ready for it.
You affectively need to look both ways now when joining a roundabout. I'm not sure thats such a great idea and will just lead to issues but we'll wait and see.
Although I am very much in favour of these changes (even as a car driver), I have a huge concern about the lack of any meaningful publicity campaign regarding these changes, which I understand are coming into affect on January 29th. That's just 11 days from today! I can see all kinds of danger and confusion arising from the following scenarios due to lack of publicity: SCENARIO #1: Pedestrian is aware of the rule changes and starts to cross in front of a driver who is not aware of the rules. Yes, as a pedestrian you absolutely still need to exercise caution but I suspect there will be some who will take the "I have priority" mentality, with bad consequences. SCENARIO #2: Pedestrian isn't aware of the rule changes and refrains from crossing even though a driver who is aware of the new rules, waits to let them cross. It's then going to be a waiting game of "After You / No After You/ No No After You" with the inevitable delay until someone decides to go first....possibly at the same time the other road user eventually does as well.
This is what has concerned me as there's been no important Public service announcement on these changes taking effect on the 29th January.. What I mean is that there should be an announcement at least during a commercial break rather just on the TV news to get message across of the highway code new changes.
The only publicity seems to be random items on individual rule changes in newspapers and provided without the necessary clarity. How can people be expected to be aware! Officially the next Highway code booklet won't be issued until March 2022 at the earliest!
This is bonkers, especially on a roundabout. I can see a rise in personal injury claims going up for those who are after a few quid!! Time will tell I guess!
Depends on the speedlimit at the roundabouts and many roundabouts in the UK allow drivers to go to fast round them. That's the main problem. The faster you go the less likely you're to stop and the more severe an inccident will be. This should've come with redesigned infrastructure or atleast redesigned infrastructure rules.
I suspect most councils will turn these cruising points into raised zebra crossings in order to reduce the chance of accidents happening. Before that happens, it goes without saying that any pedestrian who marches out onto the road based on what the updated highway code says is probably going to end up in A+E pretty quickly.
@@MichielvanderMeulen yup Netherlands is the model to follow. Pretty certain a big part of the change is to force better design for infrastructure, near me we're already getting continuous pavements that span junctions making priorities crystal clear.
As a pedestrian, I only ever wait for safe gaps in traffic when crossing the road, when a car "gives" me right of way, I don't really trust their judgement (I've had several drivers try to wave me across the road into oncoming traffic) I'll continue to do so after this change comes into practice. I think introducing this change in rules to an oblivious driving population (literally no other drivers I've talked to in person have been aware of this change in rules) and pedestrians that already have little self preservation is a dangerous, irresponsible thing. It'd be a different story if this change was announced and publicised properly, but so few people are aware that I think it's going to cause some potentially fatal confusion.
I'm gonna have to quote you on that self preservation because thats exactly the phrase I'm looking for. We wouldn't even need these rules if pedestrians would just fucking look around before sepping out into the path of an oncoming 1800kg bullet
@@seemslegit6203 Exactly. I support the cycling changes to the rules to an extent, but I feel like we're going backwards with the pedestrian rule change. If the goal is to keep people safe we should be encouraging more self preservation and accountability, not even less. Not to mention, some drivers are always going to be clueless and not look more than 5 feet in front of their vehicle, just because they *should* stop, doesn't mean they will. why prompt people to put themselves in harms way even more?
@strangelyunusual exactly. I follow the news back from my home country, where pedestrians have priority, and you always hear about cases where they just blindly walk out onto the road without even looking in either direction, these rules will unfortunately only have the same effect. Most people shouldn't have an issue sacrificing a few extra seconds to look before crossing, or waiting for a car to pass.
At 2m55s in your video a lady (on her phone!) waves the motorist to drive in front of her. The motorist will now be committing an offence (even if she had no intention of crossing). The police will gleefully dish out fines and penalty points for these serious offences. I would welcome your feedback on whether a pedestrian waves their right of priority with such a gesture?
On the roundabout issue. There are already cases where there are pedestrian crossings (either zebra or light controlled) immediately on exits to roundabouts. I have always thought they were particularly dangerous and stupid bits of road infrastructure but they are already there and the situation to that mentioned is not all that different except that the crossings are more obvious. They are also dangerous in that they can sometimes be mistaken for lights controlling the actual roundabout when approaching. I have nearly done this myself on a couple of occasions in areas I am not familiar with but have realised my mistake just in time but regrettably not without scaring another road user. Would be interesting to know stats on how many accidents are caused at such places.
In one of the junction/road design manuals there's a rule covering this, but there's a lot of places where it's not being followed. "Where a crossing must be provided within the junction layout, a Zebra crossing is preferred; it avoids any ambiguity as to priority that a signal-controlled crossing can create for the driver approaching the roundabout Give Way line"
yes, to me, there should not be a pedestrian path so close to a road speed roundabout at all, unless the crossings are on a different grade from the roundabout.
@@kenbrown2808 Unfortunately there are plenty of them with some crossings quite close to the exit - say within 50 metres or so, including some with part-time traffic signals onto, and/or on the roundabout itself. On such layouts, sometimes the signals are black, sometimes not (except the crossing ones). While there is often a fair bit of fencing to prevent crossing outside the crossing, it’s wise to check that something moving off to the left is actually out of the way, especially trucks and buses at places like that. The alternative is often not feasible, such as underpasses/overbridges, if made to be accessible to the disabled (which they have to be now). Have a play with this one: 51°34'05.9"N 1°48’06.2"W When shot by the TH-cam car, most of the signals were active - but they are not always.
I do highways work and have done regular work on roundabouts with these on them, there was one roundabout in particular with one of these crossings on it and on average there was approx 2 accidents during a 4 hour period of working on it almost daily for a week! Not all bad ones but still an accident non the less.
I'm really trying to work out if I'm just getting old, and old-fashioned in my views or whether these changes have been dreamt up by some bureaucrat in a poky office somewhere. I consider myself a pretty logical, common-sense type of guy and throughout the course of my life have usually been able to come up with the 'sensible' answer to many varied problems/issues. However, these changes just seem totally the wrong way around - a bit like in nature, you don't get the elephants trying to tip-toe around the far smaller animals. In the same way, surely the onus should be on the smaller, more nimble of road users to take more care around the larger, more difficult to drive and manoeuvre vehicles (ie HGV's). I thought the whole point of the road network was to promote and facilitate movement of vehicles and goods, not just for journey time but also for increasingly important environmental issues. The more reasons you give for HGV's to stop/slow down the (much) more fuel they end up using and the longer journey times take. Equally it really shouldn't be for an HGV driver to even have to worry about anyone being down their blind-side or standing on a corner they are trying to navigate. Isn't it surely human instinct to step back from such situations and not put oneself in danger? Or hold back in a car if a large vehicle in front of you is attempting to manoeuvre? It's only impatience or sheer stupidity (ie walking around with your head buried in your phone with headphones on and oblivious to anything around you) that says any different - just take a bit of responsibility and not think that everyone else will sort something out for you as an individual. I really just believe that these changes will promote the wrong mentality and in busier areas cause a mess out there on the roads - just think of being in a bigger town/city and trying to turn left say, when there is a constant stream of pedestrians...
100% agree. Very sensible post! I think the big problem is a 21st Century mindset of "privilege" and "entitlement". I would far rather have an approach where everybody treats everybody else with respect, rather than have "privilege" coded onto rules so that the entitled ones can abuse them.
I agree as well, its gonna be a pain in the arse if these rules are strictly enforced. I don't think they will be because its gonna say 'you should' instead of you must. But still going to cause lots of confusion I reckon
@@R04drunner1 Just watch the dashcam channels on TH-cam. Many providers of the content are convinced that they have 'Right of way' and were right to drive into an accident even when they are wrong!
I agree, and I share the feeling of being 'old' and out of step with the current hive mind. What was wrong with pedestrians waiting for a safe time to cross?
@@Jehannum2000 I'll prefer to wait as a pedestrian. I want to cross in my own time in a leisurely pace. I don't want now to feel rushed by the car giving me this new priority and way.
The biggest problem I have with this rule is that it doesn't really change anything, but people, particularly pedestrians, are likely to take "motorists should give way" as "pedestrians have right of way", because of the way it is being talked about. This is what I believe will cause the most issues, and the most accidents.
Peds walking into the road, without looking, expecting cars to stop then shouting "It's my right of way you twat!", not knowing the rules. The rule should be that 'motorists should give way to pedestrians, however, pedestrians should always stop at junctions'
This is giving rise to the whole confusion between the non-existent right of way and having priority. You give way, but have priority. The Right of Way only exists when you are following a public footpath that is marked on an Ordnance Survey map... and even then you need to act with discretion and respect...!
@@blueninjanoname7338 I am always saying to my son, who can scream round a track in a race car. It's not about how well you can control a car, but what other people do. You have to do the thinking for everyone.
I love the way I can now wander around the roads as a pedestrian, crossing where I like without having to look out for vehicles. Everyone in vehicles will now have to compensate for my stupidity. Its like having my mummy and daddy looking out for me all the time. Great job thanks.
I'm glad you'll now be able to walk around listening to music and staring down at your phone, especially at night when dressed all in black, whilst paying absolutely no attention to your surroundings with the blind hope of reaching 21 years old.
And when I'm out with my yoof mates we can swagger across the road real slow, one by one, watching all the angry drivers. We can then turn around and cross back even slower, one by one!
@@raidermanuk I can't wait until driverless cars exist on the road. Then the yoof will have a lot of fun. Yoof walk in front of car, which is driving itself to pick up its owner and is empty of humans. Car stops. Group of yoof then rock car onto its side and then roll it onto its roof. They can call it yoofroofin and live stream it on the internet which they own because it was invented for them.
I live in Keynsham which is about midway between Bristol and Bath. Keynsham is quite unusual in my experience in that there are signs on the approaches to the quite small town centre advising motorists that "This is a pedestrian friendly town centre" meaning that drivers should be especially aware of pedestrians and ever ready to give way to them. In effect this is what the new Highway Code rules are introducing for the country as a whole. Unfortunately, it is my observation that some pedestrians have become accustomed to the idea that they can do more or less just as Campervan Dave suggests and wander across roads with little or no precaution, invariably ignoring or even being unaware that traffic has had to stop for them. It seems likely that this situation will become familiar everywhere now.
I'm always very careful as pedestrian when I cross a road, even if I got priority because the law of physics is above all others. Otherwise you will have written "I had priority" on your gravestone :)
100% the same here. Even with zebra crossings I cant just walk into the road. Saying you were in the right means very little from the inside of an ICU.
As an instructor I can see this being difficult to implement, could the DVSA help by running a big ad campaign to make existing drivers aware? Otherwise learners are going to be out of sync with other road users. Good video ,well presented.
I wasn`t a good vid,it was stupid. The cars shown were driving unrealistically slow. So unreal. Deal with the real world,not as you would like it to be.There will be greater no. of accidents following these changes I`m sure
When are the proposed chances actually coming into force? My major concern about the changes are education. How many drivers who have already got their licence are actually going to know about the changes? Are we going to see a lot of accidents where pedestrians who are aware of the rule change may step out to cross a juntion feeling they have right of way and a driver fails to stop? As a pedestrian I wouldn't step out until it was clear to do so or if an oncoming car came to a complete stop to give way. I don't see many more cars than normal giving way and so making this rule change pointless. Being cynical, as a predestrain this rule change makes no change to how you have to cross a road, at most I may be less reluctant to cross when someone in a car signals to me to cross rather than waving them on so I can cross when the road is clear.
Given the complete ignorance or misinformation of many drivers about the current Highway Code (especially when it comes to things like cyclists riding two abreast), I am not hopeful that many people will be aware of or take on board these changes. I think we need a Chris Whitty-style TV PSA every ad break to get the message out there.
@@rory90FiVe The conflict will come when pedestrians act according to the new code, and drivers aren't aware of it. It's also interesting from the perspective of driverless cars - I can see a lot of stalemate situations where the car is frozen and unable to move.
@@dmac2573 How will s driverless car differentiate between a pedestrian on a pavement who is walking along, and someone wanting to cross - and therefore expecting you to stop?
with 44 years accident free driving and zero points on my license for same period. I have always given way to pedestrians approaching or standing at a crossing. i do think the roundabout rule will cause a lot of issues for a lot of drivers as they drive far too close to the car in front.
The proposed rules sound good in principle but rolling them out into a society that isn't familiar with them and also has lots of poor drivers. I'd be surprised if there was a net benefit.
This is the best surmised comment IMO. Yeah things like this sound great but it’s becoming clear that these things just aren’t going to work in practice. Seems very much like the Smart motorway style debacle of 2022
They are good. They've been used in the Netherlands for years and that's still the best country to drive in. As a road user oitside of a metal box you should already know that priority is given to you, not taken by you. So apart from a few incidents this should be fine. The only way this will get better is if drivers that don't give priority get fined appropriately and designs of crossings and roundabouts is improved to better indicate who has priority. For this you can again just look at the Netherlands. A combination of curbs, continues sidewalks, paint, coloured asphalt and signs is what you need.
@@johnb8956 Smart motorways are idiotic given that most drivers don't use Lane 1 to begin with. There'd be an immediate improvement in traffic flow and capacity if education and/or enforcement of poor lane discipline was implemented.
@@woutervanr Also, in The Netherlands we had a change where cyclists have right of way the same as motorists, and that went pretty well. No need to not change because of fears of change.
people who live in the UK have no appreciation for "lots of poor drivers" until they visit the US. your poor drivers are our average drivers and your average drivers are our courteous drivers.
Hi. I really like your optimisation on this and really hope your right for everybody's sake. Personally I think the accident rate will definitely go up. It maybe pedestrians getting hurt or rear end shunts and I'm just waiting to see and really hope myself and others are wrong 🤞 I'm going to heading to Halfords to have a dash cam fitted ASAP front and rear and may invest in a nice big tow bar for if and when the shunt happens. No way on earth I'm stepping out in front of a car and the basis I have the right of way until the car has stopped 🤣
@@Explore2Adore I'm having front and rear fitted. Would love to know who got paid to come up with the new laws 🤔 Personally i think it was mainly the so called professional cycling community who always comply with the laws of the road 🤔 🤣
Despite not having an accident for decades, I decided that I needed to improve my driving so 4 months ago I bought a dashcam (AZDOME - excellent quality) to enable me to review situations. I've also been watching a lot of the dashcam channels on TH-cam to learn what’s really going on out there, scary! More recently I looked at getting a rear camera too. Learning about the forthcoming changes I feel a rear camera is now absolutely essential.
I think the zebra crossing one does sort of feel like something I was doing anyway. I don't know about "treating it like a racetrack", but the biggest issue will be for a lot of drivers who are reluctant to adjust speed in response to hazards, especially those coming from the pavement (which is, sadly, a lot of drivers). While I'm not hugely in favour of these changes, I'm not really worried about them either. The roundabout thing is a concern, though, and I do hope that the intent at designated crossings is for things to stay as is.
Most motorists stop for pedestrians waiting to cross like you. I remember a case where two people were talking to each other across the road and each car stopped for them. Caused quite a tail-back.
Some roundabouts are dangerous enough already, with drivers being forced to change lanes very quickly. If they have also got to look out for pedestrians crossing as they exit, this could cause absolute mayhem with a lot of scope for increased accidents. I don't think it has been thought through properly
Those damed pedestrians getting in the way. I do hope they don't make you late. Never mind the rest of your life with the nightmare s just f,,,,,,ng slowdown.
2:15 - In the slow moving queued traffic shown in your example I agree you can exert a lot of control over the traffic behind you, but on a 60 road with spread out traffic you have no control over a driver speeding towards you from a long distance behind, if they're expecting you to be out of the way by the time they reach you they might not even bother to slow down at all. You're right it is a case of race drivers being the issue, but it's still an issue whether you are one or not in this situation.
I agree. This is particularly an issue for motorcyclists and cyclists, where you have a reduced road presence and the ability for you to force vehicles behind to slow is extremely limited.
Even worse for HGV drivers who tend to hate breaking momentum. I driving a passenger vehicle on a high speed road with a HGV barrelling behind me, I'd rather be in the wrong side of the law and safe, then being right and in an accident.
This rule is already part of the Finnish highway code. Whenever you turn at an intersection, you have to give way to the "light traffic" (anyone travelling on the pavement). This also applies to roundabouts, and it doesn't cause issues. Of course, there are some differences to the UK; all pedestrian crossings are zebra crossings and roundabouts are designed in a way that the crossing is a car's length from the roundabout. So yielding to a pedestrian doesn't leave you blocking the roundabout. The yielding also applies to people crossing the road even if it isn't an official crossing. You also have to yield to any pedestrian, cyclist or moped travelling at the side of the road (on a road that has no pavement). Every time you turn at an intersection, you have to look over your shoulder. This is one of the basics taught at driving schools. This is a useful habit to pick up even if there's no law about yielding. The reason why the "yield on turn" rule exists is to make people more cautious when turning. Regarding someone walking on a crossing against a red light, you have to yield to them (if possible). It's no different from a car running a red light. Even if that happens, you have the obligation to try and avoid an accident. You can't crash into someone just because you had a green light.
"A pedestrian doesn't leave you blocking the roundabout". Well if there's more than one car wanting to leave the roundabout it will then. I thought that a roundabout is meant to expedite the flow of traffic.
What will happen on roads with high pedestrian traffic and numerous side streets? If there is a constant stream of pedestrians walking along the pavements will traffic just come to a standstill?
Pedestrians *are* traffic. I think the volume of vehicle traffic had increased to the point where Pedestrians are disadvantaged. I welcome the changes to re-address the balance to give Pedestrians better opportunities to cross.
@@TheVanderfulLife The optimist in me thinks that this might incentivise people not to use their car to pick-up/drop-off their children. After all, they should reside relatively close to the school anyway.
@@pifko87 What? And let the poor little mites wear their little legs out on the 200 yard walk home? That's child cruelty. It might even be raining. It should be a law that each and every child under the age of 18 must travel to and from school in a large 4WD SUV in order to keep them warm, dry, and not tired out from the walk.
2:14 Ashley, as a beginner driver who has patiently been waiting for a test due to the shortage, I must say I have learnt a lot from your content. So for that, I thank you. This how ever has made it all the more disappointing when you said "you will only have problems with people behind you if you are going to give way to a pedestrian who wishes to cross the road and you are approaching too fast. Last minute reaction and a heavy break will increase risk of a rear end collision". The last sentence being very true, of course, but the first is far too broad to be true. Being too broad is the problem with the rule too. This rule is set out as if we live in a perfect world, with perfect driving and sensible drivers; which even as a beginner with little time on the road, I can tell you is not the case. In the video you show two clips , one of a boy racer and one of you driving sensibly. While there is no arguing the boy racer is an idiot the problem with both is these are all on wide-ish streets with very visible exits. This rule is actively encouraging pedestrians to walk out in the road without thinking because they are top of the hierarchy. It is going to make for scenarios like, lets say... a boy racer is behind you, you have slowed to sensible speed, in plenty of time with proper indication to take a corner with poor visibility. Pedestrian steps out without any thought apart from "I am entitled to do so" and only becomes visible to as you round the corner (many corners where I live are like this), so you have no choice but to stop suddenly, but the boy racer has assumed you have turned and stop paying proper attention. Surely you can see this is dangerous precedent to set. Furthermore, as you touched on in your video, the norm already is to stop and let people cross, if the driver deems it safe to do so. There are already plenty of close calls and death as it is from reckless drivers and pedestrians, why encourage dangerous and unsafe practices? After all the whole point of the highway code is to keep everyone safe. To add more, the roundabout you showed. The whole point roundabouts exist is to keep traffic flowing, so why are we making people stop on them. It is increasing confusion, chances of collision, emissions and wear to the brakes and tyres.
The pedestrian one is a bit silly, may aswell put zebra crossing on every junction. certain places like in a busy town or city will just cause hold ups in traffic if its super busy, imagine having to wait for 100 people wanting to cross.
There’s a zebra crossing in Birmingham city centre (Suffolk Street, just before the underpass that leads to the Mailbox) where it is already incredibly difficult to pass due to the flow of pedestrians. Sometimes you just have to go when people aren’t quite yet physically on the crossing. The only option under the new rules would be for all of those crossings to be pelican crossings, as traffic would not move otherwise. This is another rule where the adverse consequences haven’t been thought through. It seems to me that introducing a mindset for pedestrians that they have priority every time is well meaning, but dangerous. Then again only the lawyers need to worry as I suspect most people won’t notice and even fewer will change their behaviour.
I decided to just start practicing the give way to pedestrians from the moment I heard about this new rule coming in, so far so good... I was skeptical but I think it's not so bad so far... That said,I was waiting on a zebra crossing just today and three cars in a row didn't stop but put their hands up in their window at me to say sorry, all were speeding... Worst part is that I had my 2.5 year old stood on the crossing waiting with me, I ALWAYS talk her through my actions when crossing the road and ALWAYS remind her that cars may not stop even if one side has stopped - always be sure before crossing, next stage has begun -thanking drivers, that'll be fun when she starts thanking the cars 😍
I think one of the most important messages to pedestrians is to never run across a road. I've spent some time in India and the seeming insanity of their overly congested roads within their cities taught me something. You can close your eyes and slowly cross a road walking because people will happily route around you, if you run it causes carnage and you will be run over because road users don't have the time nor the space to avoid you or other impacts.
@@TheVicar that's very true! Ngl, india's Road systems definitely is a put off for me lol but what an experience that must have been! I'd love to go but I'd never be able to get around too far lol! Thank you for your reply
@@LinxyWun Its certainly an eye opener and an amazing country to visit. One thing that surprised me is the wild dogs that live in packs around the cities walk around the roads with impunity. Very few people have pet dogs but one day i watched one escape onto a road and it was running around causing absolute mayhem, whereas the wild dogs and cows would be calm and safe wandering in the middle of the road.
This is never going to happen and will probably lead to people stepping into the road without care because of the "priority" attitude. In school we got told "stop look and listen". It's never done me any harm
That is an awful attitude. We should give cars priority because otherwise pedestrians might think they have priority and might get hurt. Of course people still need to pay attention to their surroundings but it is primarily the drivers responsibility not to hit pedestrians not pedestrians responsibility not to get hit.
@@jamesdewitt84 I'm sorry James but you have the wrong attitude in my opinion. The road is designed and the domain of vehicles, not pedestrians. In the same way that even these new rules are saying the pavement is the domain of the pedestrian and so cars should not park on pavements and such. The separation is important, but I agree that we can work together to make sure everyone is safe. Pedestrians using 'stop, look and listen' helps ensure that. If you look at the situations shown in the video a lot of the times you had near misses was because the pedestrian had not looked before stepping off the curb and so the driver had to react, which means that those pedestrians are not following the current guidelines
It's everyone's responsibility to use the roads as safely as possible. Drivers shouldn't drive into pedestrians, but equally pedestrians shouldn't put themselves (and others) at risk by walking without due care and attention. Roads and traffic are dangerous things; everyone should treat them with sensible caution.
@@jamer106616 this attitude is the problem. The street is not the "domain of vehicles" it is the public space between houses that can also be used to move around in using vehicles. There are roads that clearly are the domain of vehicles like big a roads, dual carriageways and motorways. Cars need to drop this "my domain get out of the way" attitude on public streets.
It's going to make it a bit difficult to turn right into a side road, in busy traffic, isn't it? You have to wait for a fleeting space in the cars coming towards you, but are unable to move due to pedestrians crossing the road you're turning into.
Absolutely this! There seems to be more focus on motorists/cyclists turning left into a junction. Turning right into a junction in busy traffic can be hard enough as it is. Maybe easier if a pedestrian starts to cross on the side of the road you are turning into as you can keep an eye on both the road ahead gap opportunity and pedestrians. Not always going to be easy to check for pedestrians who start crossing on the other side of the road you are turning into -- especially in the dark.
I hadn't even thought about that because all of the focus and conversation is about turning left!! I think that's a very fair point. Something else that's linked to your point is say you're in rush hour traffic, wanting to turn left into a road and there's a pedestrian wanting to cross so you stop. The car coming towards you and wanting to turn right may not be able to see the pedestrian (if your car or anything else is blocking them), sees you stopped and takes it as a sign of letting them go in front of you. 🤷🏻♂️
What I'm most worried about is that a lot of people seem to think the new rule means you have to stop for pedestrians waiting to cross at any point so you're going to get people on main roads who aren't turning coming to stop for no reason.
Looks like motorists are just going to have to adapt...frankly it makes a nice change for pedestrians not to be treated as next to worthless by road/traffic planners/users...not to be the bottom priority for once...one could easily get sick to death (literally) of "only" having to walk a hundred yards or so further, or "only" waiting a few minutes more for a safe crossing in the pouring rain so the superior beings in the shelter of their nice warm cars can get to their destinations sooner... I recall back, long before my retirement from the passenger transport industry, attending a regular transport forum and being told by one of the council delegates "you're surely here to represent bus companies, so why on earth are you expressing views on pedestrian measures?" and responding to the effect that all of my passengers were pedestrians until they got to the bus stop...he was quiet after that, (and looking back I don't believe I ever saw him at any further forum meetings), but that viewpoint is sadly not uncommon...it's about time things changed...
@@rachc595 also there will be many pedestrians thinking they can just walk out at any point too. time to get the person with a red flag walking in front of your 300+ bhp car
@Uniniks Perhaps this is a government plan to get more drivers off the roads! Enough prosecutions for Careless driving and some of the poorer drivers will no longer be drivers.
@@cogidubnus1953 going with the change they also might be lifeless. the roundabouts don't all have footpaths 50yrds after junction its usually 2 car lengths and most cities now have dual carriage ways where both lanes can be used for ahead left lane prepares to slow down/stop right hand lane hurtles on.. exit to immediate left runs into left hand side of vehicle slowing down to stop.. Not going to end well and being a bus driver you must see how this is going to go. We also for years been conditioned to stop at junction till vehicles pass I always taught this to my kids.. So that will lead to confusion only 1 death is all it takes.. And as most say on here we will have the privileged few, u kno the ones with hoods up earphones on and crossing on their stupid skateboard. But hey ho you will be the one in handcuffs.. Its a stupid rule
I had reservations about this as soon as they announced it. I have no problem with giving priority to pedestrians as a rule, but picture this: You are on a busy shopping high street and you wish to turn right. There is traffic coming in the opposite direction so you wait... The traffic clears and you go to turn, but you now have pedestrians approaching the junction wishing to cross. They are spread out groups of 1, 2 and 3 people, so you wait... Just as the pedestrians begin to clear the junction, more traffic is approaching from the front, so you wait.... The traffic stops and you are just about to turn when a couple of cyclists come up from behind and make use of their priority, by overtaking you... Once they have passed, there are now more pedestrians crossing the junction... when they clear there is traffic coming in the opposite direction... and so on... Lets also add in someone parked too close to the junction, leaving only enough room for one vehicle coming in or out, and there are cars trying to get out of the same junction. Now, before anyone says, "But what is the likelihood of all that happening?" I would suggest you try somewhere like Shirley High Street in Southampton, or Mare Street in Hackney on a market day, and then see if you still have the same question. As I said, I have no issue with giving priority to pedestrians. I just think it could cause absolute bedlam in certain situations and will result in people getting frustrated and doing silly things.
Or worse still, you move into the oncoming lane when traffic is clear to complete your turn and then a pedestrian moves towards the roadside.. then you're stopped blocking the oncoming flow of traffic. Either way you're holding up one direction of traffic indefinitely Vs a pedestrian waiting and holding up no one 🤷🏻♂️
This is so interesting. Everywhere else in Europe like the Netherlands and Spain, pedestrians have been having priority for a long time so when I moved to the UK and I saw cars just turning into a road and I had to stop dead in my tracks when crossing the road to let the CARS pass was bewildering to me. Cars should be the ones that stop for me when I am about to cross the road not the other way around. I am already much more vulnerable and car users (yes me included) will just have to be more aware which is good. In spain, the hierarchy is literally the opposite of the UK. Pedestrians and cyclists will always be top priority however buses, trucks and other large vehicles have the most priority and cars have the lowest priority
Nonsense. How do I know you're 'about to cross the road'? Oftentimes pedestrians are nattering with someone, looking like they may want to cross. Should I immediately come to a halt every time I see someone looking like they're thinking about crossing?
@@Jehannum2000 when the other countries have had this rule for a long time, most people to know to not daydream right next to a junction. However in the UK, since many people do not know about this rule, it’ll take time before everyone understands to not daydream next to the crossing and only approach the crossing if you’re actually about to cross. It’s all about education. Some people are more aware and more considerate than others are and as a car driver, cyclist and pedestrian myself, we have to be extra conscious about what we’re doing so that we do not potentially kill someone which will now be our fault if they step out infront of the car when they’re crossing 🤷🏽♂️ that point alone should make everyone slow down and be more aware
@@WorldwideHypercars It will only make already-aware drivers more hesitant and pedestrians more careless. It will have no effect on the majority of moronic drivers. It seems to me a somewhat political issue: should pedestrians vulnerability be a part of their individual responsibility or should the state intervene? As a pedestrian I simply wait for a safe time to cross a road. Just like Dave Prowse taught me nearly 50 years ago.
The new rules are the way it was taught to me in Northern Europe. It doesn't cause any issues and if anything, teaches drivers to be more attentive. Do I look before crossing the road? Of course, but you can walk out onto any crossing and expect the car to stop for you.
That last sentence is one of the major issues with such a rule really. I'm sure it won't take long for someone to use it against some driver for compensation.
I'll leave my comment up, but obviously I realise I wasn't thinking straight this morning, and had totally mis-read and misunderstood the topic in hand. Sorry, folks. Original Comment: One 'dodgy' aspect I can see, is: there's a dual carriageway (actually 70mph, but most people think it's 60, so we won't shout about that too loudly) with woodland / heathland on both sides which are popular with dog walkers. Before, we (yes, I also have a dog) would wait until there was clear space before crossing. But now it looks like we stand by the side of the road, and these cars which are travelling between 60 and 70 mph will have to come to a screeching halt to let us cross? What could possibly go wrong?! But I'm looking forward to cars letting me cross the busy residential road where I live (no pedestrian crossing, because nobody's been killed, therefore one isn't needed. Rolls eyes). How will this work in eg London around theatre district. Cars wouldn't be able to move for all the tourists / theatre goers milling around the streets...
You have misunderstood the proposed changes. The rules only apply to cars turning left into side streets giving way to pedestrians already crossing or are about to cross.
@@zivkovicable The wording does not only apply to cars turning left. It applies to all vehicles, cycles, motor cycles, cars, vans, lorries etc. (all higher in the hieracy than pedestrians). Similarly it also applies to vehicles turning right into a side road. In this scenario no oncoming traffic could cause problems on a single lane each side situation. Unexpected stops by people who know the rule and how about drivers who know the rule overtaking on the right knowing you cannot turn in because a stream of pedestrians are crossing and cant be bothered to wait.
My understanding is that the H2 rules only apply to uncontrolled crossings, zebra and parallel crossings. Any crossing points controlled by traffic lights will remain the same. The Highway Code has specific sections on traffic lights, pelicans, puffins and toucans, all of which say that pedestrians should (not must) wait for the green figure to show before crossing. The DfT consultation on these changes did not include any references to signal controlled crossings. It therefore follows that drivers would not have to give way to a pedestrian or cyclist waiting to cross at signals.
hmm yes we need specific clarification on exiting from roundabouts. It's quite normal that you go to turn into another road and have to wait for something so cars behind should be anticipating an indicating vehicle to stop anyway but from a roundabout that would not be expected. Especially if exiting from the inside lane of a roundabout. I think cars are going to have to have priority from a roundabout unless we want to redesign all the UKs roundabouts.
Really? Curious. Here is completely different. We're well versed in expecting a car leaving the roundabout to stop before leaving. But to be fair, we often have pedestrian crossing right outside the roundabout
The problem with UK roundabout design is the angles, they are designed for fast flow of motor traffic - hence making it hostile to vulnerable road users. In Europe the roundabouts are designed for slow movement.
@@Daye04 This is a british driving channel how was I to know you were in Norway. I've not been to Norway for a while now but my father in law lives in Kristiansund and the rest of my Wife's family lives in Stockholm. Pedestrian infrastructure is much better than in the UK I dont believe anyone would be expected to cross the road so close to a roundabout exit would they?
These changes give the pedestrian and cyclists that are not subject to drink or drug testing the right to rule an area where the main users are. Drivers have to have a test and are subject to and have to abide by the law, this includes having a roadworthy car, Insurance, and not drink and drive, or drive under the influence of drugs, legal or otherwise. This rule change seems to me to be another smart motorway scenario. Common sense has left the room.
This update should come with redesigned infrastructure. For example roundabouts should be designed to slow you down anyways, which they don't really in many cases in the UK, and that slowing down will make people more likely to to give way when they should. Also make continuous sidewalks in cities and villages. This makes it clear that you're crossing space for pedestrians and that you should five way. This isn't some weird new technolgy, but proven systems that have been used for years that can (almost) be copy and pasted. And giving way like this on points without traffic lights is just normal to me as a Dutch guy. Ofcourse you give way to pedestrians when turning, ofcourse you do. They're going straight and you want to turn so you can wait your turn.
Even better in the Netherlands I think it is written far more clearly. Traffic going straight on the same road has priority over turning traffic. A pedestrian is traffic so no special rules need to be made. These changes just seem far too convoluted to me.
Roundabouts are meant to be efficient free flowing junctions where multiple roads meet , drivers should be able to see traffic on other roads and merge safely into it then progress without having to slow unnecessarily. Unfortunately, road designers now design roundabouts which cannot easily be seen across , put in actual barriers or excessive signage which obscured advanced observation and reduces the efficiency of the junction
2 years on, it is looks like the simplest solution has been adopted (in my area at least): everybody else ignores the new rules and carries on as we did before
When I took my friend, who was visiting from California, into Manchester city centre, he was stamping hard on the imaginary brake pedal on the passenger side as I was turning left, where a woman was approaching the junction on the footpath. "Man, you would be in so much trouble if you knocked that woman down" he said, but to me It just seemed a normal left turn and I expected the woman to stop at the junction. Seems like over there it is the drivers responsibility NOT to knock a pedestrian down, whereas here it seems generally accepted that it is the pedestrians responsibility not to get knocked down. That needs to change I think.
No. It’s more like it’s the pedestrians responsibility to not just walk out in middle of the road when there’s a car coming. Bare in mind that roads are for cars…
@@qasimmir7117 Well, you're wrong on two counts there. Firstly under the new heirachy of road users the car driver has a greater responsibility to pedestrians not to cause a collision and, in fact, the pedestrian, being the most vulnerable, bears the least responsibility. Which is not to say the pedestrian has no responsibility, just that other road users have more responsibility to him/her. Watch Ashleys first video - he explains it clearly. Secondly you intimate that roads are just for cars ( and I assume you mean motor vehicles generally), again, wrong - pedestrians, horse riders, cyclists, motorcyclists, cars, wagons, all have equal rights to use the road (unless specifically prohibited, eg motorways) This attitude of 'I'm in my car and I'm driving down the road so everybody should just get out of my way' is clearly what the new legislation is trying to change.
What's wrong with pedestrians waiting for a safe time to cross? Would it cause them so much distress to look up from their mobile phones for half a minute?
It rains so much in the UK that I think this is a fantastic rule - why should pedestrians have to get soaked while they wait for traffic - people in cars can keep dry. I also come from a country where this is the norm - and I've never had an issue. Drivers just need to be made aware.
I can understand the concern with rear end collisions when turning in to a junction, but to me as long as you indicate appropriately and the car behind keeps the correct gap there shouldn't be any issues. Obviously people who don't think the gap applies to them will cause problems. I'm not sure about the roundabout situation though, I feel that is going to case a lot of issue.
if you indicate properly, then the car behind you's failure to keep the correct gap is THEIR problem. if enough of them have to buy new cars for people, the problem might go away.
"as long as you indicate appropriately and the car behind keeps the correct gap there shouldn't be any issues" That's the problem though, that's very much the best case scenario. With the state of many drivers on the road at the moment it is a definite that these factors won't be met in many situations. There will always be inattentive drivers out there and this new rule very much relies on good awareness and forward planning from ALL drivers.
I’ve just got back from New York and found their junctions interesting. The traffic lights will turn green at the same time the pedestrian crossings on the roads to the side turn green, this means both pedestrians and vehicles are told to go at the same time, so if a car wishes to turn left or right, when their light turns green, they have to creep round the corner and give way to the pedestrians crossing. Once the pedestrians have cleared or if there aren’t any, the car is allowed to proceed around the corner going over the pedestrian crossing which still has the green man showing. I found this increased flow for the vehicles but made it mode dangerous for pedestrians. I saw on their news that then are going to increase the penalty for vehicles who hit pedestrians at crossings. I also thought it was illegal to cross the road when the green man doesn’t show, but literally everyone crosses the road when it’s clear, even if it says stop.
At 03:06 about pedestrian crossings, have you managed to find any clarification on whether rule 21 for pedestrians 'You should only start to cross the road when the green figure shows.' overrides the new rule h2 for road users ?
I am quite concerned about the waiting for pedestrians lark. I can just see that going wrong so often. I think the speed of uptake from people about the new rules will be to slow and accidents will happen in the interim period. I also anticipate a rise in false insurance claims from pedestrians walking out in front of cars for a cash prize.
In Victoria, Australia ALL drivers MUST give way to pedestrians when turning. The only exception is at a roundabout where cars have right of way unless there is a pedestrian crossing close to the roundabout. You MUST give way to any pedestrian on, or about to step onto, a pedestrian/school crossing. The only difference between a school and a pedestrian crossing is that you must remain stopped at a school crossing until ALL pedestrians are off the road, whereas you can proceed on a pedestrian crossing once the pedestrian is clear of your vehicle. It all seems to work fairly well but there are many drivers who have either no idea or just ignore the rules.
Personally I prefer the idea of designated crossing areas where we want to give priority to pedestrians. A big zebra crossing gives drivers more warning, but otherwise, if you're exiting a roundabout and stop for a pedestrian, this could catch people out too easily.
this is very similar to the laws in my state. here, there are some critical details you might check on, there. the most straightforward is that pedestrians must obey traffic control devices. so at a signal controlled intersection, the signal tells who has the right of way. the only point where the crosswalk priority is applicable is if a driver is turning with the green, while a pedestrian is proceeding ahead with the walk. then the pedestrian has priority. the most critical is we have a rule that specifically says a pedestrian may not step into a crossing until it is safe to do so. the effect of this is if a pedestrian lunges out in front of you and you do all that you can to avoid them, and it isn't enough; then it is considered that the pedestrian made the choice to step into danger and you couldn't have done more to avoid it; in determining fault. there is also a rule that specifies that any marked crossing and any intersection between roads that isn't marked otherwise is considered a pedestrian crossing. pedestrians only have priority in pedestrian crossings. trying to cross outside a crossing is deemed Jaywalking, and ranges in penalty from doing it at your own risk to risking arrest for doing it. roundabouts are still rare where I am, and particularly big ones where pedestrians are expected. to me, the clip showing a car exiting from the right lane while the van in the left proceeded on had somebody doing the wrong thing even without the pedestrian.
Another great video and I suspect your subscribers fall into the category of ‘Preaching to the Converted’ and we do all we can to keep everyone safe and not just the vulnerable. However, I’ve a big concern that this legislation for the lowest denominator will bring carnage to our roads. My parents taught me to give way to vehicles, in other words they’ll kill you unless you protect yourself and take responsibility for your own safety. Most of the pedestrians you see just blindly walk across junctions without any care to other road users, their own safety or how their selfish lack of thought could lead to accidents. Safety is a shared responsibility, and these new laws take away the responsibility for pedestrians to look after themselves.
Making a simple easy rule confusing. Cars give way at a junction, but on a normal road they don’t. Pedestrians won’t know if they are coming or going, all of a sudden “some” drivers are stopping to let them cross when for as long as time we have been told, “stop look listen”. Edit: we have always been told not to signal to pedestrians to cross as we don’t know what other road users are doing. This is basically flying in the face of that.
The first change is how it works in most other countries as far as I know. I'm surprised by how unfriendly the previous rule is to pedestrians. I live in the US, and here pedestrians have priority at all junctions where they don't have a red light or a don't walk light, regardless of road markings. I think a lot of people don't know about this though, and it may be different in some states.
The problem is gangs of youths now think they don't have to look or listen when crossing at a roundabout. I had around 8 youths all dressed in black,(and it was dark), just walk out in front of me, luckily I managed to stop just in time, (I was in the right hand lane of a two lane roundabout). 6 of the youths carried on going, while two stopped. I waited for the two youths to cross, A driver in the left hand lane then only just managed to see the two youths crossing. Very lucky not to have hit any of the youths, because common sense has gone out the window.
Turning pedestrian priority is definitely a good idea (and it works perfectly fine in mainland Europe), but the problem is that it's such a new and radical change *in the UK*. If it serves to reduce hazards, it must be widely publicized. The thing is, in other countries this rule has been the case for nearly a century - the road design in these countries intuitively makes it clear that pedestrians have priority. But in the UK, as I personally see, crossings are definitely NOT inviting for pedestrians. For example, at a normal T-intersection in the UK you would have give-way markings across the road and at the very end of the road (!), plus you would typically have double yellow lines going *around* the corner and a dropped curb for pedestrians. This gives a very clear signal that pedestrians are *entering* the road rather than that cars are entering a space for pedestrians (as opposed to how for example the Dutch use continuous sidewalks). And from what I've seen in dashcam compilations, it's all but clear that this philosophy of "obviously you give way to pedestrians if turning" is completely absent and must be drilled into people's heads...
These are great videos, do you have an opinion on the most effective way to help road users all understand the new changes? I think (speaking as a cyclist) cyclists will be hot on these as there is a perception of them improving our safety, but it's not going to help anything having a cyclist shouting about "the new highway code" hoping it will act as a forcefield if they do something dangerous... And as a motorist, I've been driving for 15 years and i don't think i've checked the highway code since I passed my test...I wonder about TV and social ads or something to get in front of as many people as possible
I think there should be a mandatory theory test every few years for drivers ... with an ability to do a couple of resits before losing your license, I wouldn't want people to be suddenly an unexpectedly unable to drive.
What scares me is bad weather, night time when they are wearing dark clothes on unlit Streets Also now the insulate Britain get more power blocking roads
Ashley, thank you for your continued videos, I appreciate the work you put into them. How do you think the proposed Rule H.2 will work with an urban street with continuous pedestrian traffic, which may leave no gaps for a vehicle to turn/emerge?
It can work the other way. In my local town there are some busy junctions where pedestrians have to wait ages for a gap. I suppose it could be argued that, where there is both heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic, there is a need for a light controlled crossing at that junction.
@@joe909 pedestrian traffic doesn't take up massive amounts of space like vehicle traffic does though so I think from a flow and journey time point of view that it's better for the pedestrians to wait and line up than vehicles.
Ashley, the example you showed of a bloke literally walking into the road without looking at all, using the road like its a pavement...what kind of stupid is that? We now have to be telepathic to predict their thoughts? What happened to stop,look right and left, then step into the road, checking all the time for other road users?
I think we as instructors need specific clarification from the dvsa regarding roundabouts as I can see this becoming extremely dangerous. I was at a mini roundabout this morning where the car in front stopped to give way to a pedestrian who was standing at the left hand side , at the same time a cat approaching from right goes onto the roundabout at pace while the pedestrian is crossing and nearly hit the pedestrian its absolutely ridiculous to apply this at roundabouts. Will be calling my test centre manager on Monday for clear guidance.
As a pedestrian i don't trust drivers to give way because if they hit me I will be injured at best and the car will suffer relatively minor damage at worst. So even with these rules if a car is indicating to turn into a junction I am about to cross I will give way for self preservation.
These rules appear very similar to our rules (Victoria, Australia). It makes perfect sense to me that when you are turning onto a new street/road you give way to pedestrians (or anything really) crossing or about to cross said new road/street, thus you should be anticipating it and (as Ashley rightly puts) slowing down and treating it like a give way section. This applies fully to zebra crossings too. Heavy traffic areas like intersections or sections of continuous road that use pedestrian crossings are usually there because it would otherwise be impossible or unsafe for pedestrians to cross. It should be clear and obvious that when there are pedestrian crossings in place, pedestrians use them as a means to safely cross, BUT always be prepared for a pedestrian to just walk out without thinking and whilst they are in the wrong at least they'll be unharmed. Roundabouts are a little confusing, but really you just have to apply the same rule as above for turning onto a new road/street: exiting a roundabout is the same as turning onto a new road/street regardless of exit. This also means pedestrians crossing inside the actual roundabout do NOT have priority and should be giving way to cars inside the roundabout (but also again be prepared for them to do the wrong thing).
Remind me - doesn't Victoria also have jay walking rules which says pedestrians should not attempt to cross a road within 80 metres (or some such distance) of a formal pedestrian crossing? - that puts a different slant on pedestrians crossing in built up areas.
What I never understand about pedestrian priority is the fact that we, as motorists, do NOT treat trains the way pedestrians treat cars. Think about it this way, trains VASTLY outweigh cars, and take many times the distance to come to a stop, so cars give way to trains. That makes sense. NOW, cars, even the smallest cars, outweigh humans and cyclists by several times, and take several times the distance to come to a stop. So why do cars give way to trains, and but pedestrians don't have to give way to cars? Makes absolutely 0 sense. These new laws are going to be absolutely deadly. As if drivers didn't have enough responsibility to pay attention to on the roads, why can't pedestrians carry some of that responsibility?? Ridiculous that the people who pay the most road tax have the least amount of rights on the road compared to cyclists and pedestrians.
Isn't it generally the case already that pedestrians or cyclists always have priority in hazard situations, even if they do not necessarily have the right of way in that scenario? So if a motorist and a pedestrian are in a situation like, for example, the pedestrian is walking over a crossing when the motorist's light is green, it's still the motorist's obligation to stop or wait? It's good that proposed changes like these will formally enshrine the duty of care motorists all too often forget, regarding people using more vulnerable forms of transport. It's also good that it will force motorists to be more considerate of other road users, irrespective of whether they already are (or consider themselves to be) consistent, considerate drivers within the current regs. But the UK has a long way to go. By and large, I don't even see most cars leaving a full equivalent car's space (as a virtual 'box') around the cyclist when overtaking, which is a huge safety risk to both parties. Decades of poor driver habits will need decades more to be undone, unless the government pushes a comprehensive safety agenda hard and doesn't just filigree the regulations. We don't even get anything like the green cross code or cycling proficiency promoted visibly by the DfT any more, so I don't hold out much hope for the short term. A drastic redesign of urban road layouts, junctions and roundabouts and their priorities needs to happen. We should probably come more into line with countries like Netherlands and some Scandinavian countries which already do this very well. When I walked around Amsterdam I was impressed by how well the various systems and urban safety measures work, people using various transport modes are far more aware of each other and act accordingly.
Although the crossing at the exit from a roundabout is potentially hazardous, moving the crossing isn't always a practical solution; pedestrians naturally tend to take the shortest route from A to B, and if that involves crossing in a place where there is no marked crossing, they'll do that anyway.
Very true, though one option is to force pedestrians to cross further downstream of a roundabout by installing railings. Of course, you can't always do that, plus there would be the expense of doing so at every single roundabout in the land. But it might be an option at SOME roundabouts.
As registered blind person(very little hazy vision) these new rule do make me feel more comfortable, a couple of points sometimes when vehicle stop for you I understand they may gesture you to cross, but that is an assumption that they can see you. The other point is that crossings with audio are fantastic and I have no problem waiting for them I am in no hurry.
I think the biggest concern I have is other road users; I drive as I was taught, always anticipating and analysing potential hazards - by no means a perfect driver, I just have a higher level of risk analysis/ training. I hate tailgaters, and I fear that those who lack patience will be the ones who struggle and will cause the majority of incidents with this proposed new rule.
When I am a pedestrian, I'd prefer it if the cars completed their manoeuvre while I waited. The vehicles are the danger, so if I wait and allow them to finish their manoeuvre and pass, I then have a (theoretically) clear and safe road to cross. Making the cars stop means I'm having to navigate several hazards as a pedestrian, having to figure out the intention of the drivers and if they're going to follow the guidelines or not. Therefore, I think the cars should have priority so as to clear the hazards more effectively so pedestrians have a safer means to cross. This also means pedestrians have to remain responsible of themselves and pay attention to their surroundings when crossing roads, which becomes even more important in the age of smart phones and listening to music while walking.
I see this as the most logical way to be as well. Even with the new rules when I'm walking I'd feel safer with the car wanting to turn gone instead of waiting for them to see me
The rule to give way to pedestrians waiting to cross instead of placing foot onto the crossing is common sense. No pedestrian would set foot when a car doesn't seem to slow down to give way, no one wants to die. And if the pedestrian was already crossing, the car should slow down or stop until the road is clear, obviously.
I did some testing on the left turn rule yesterday, a pedestrian walking towards the junction I’m turning into, I did my usual procedure before the turn, nice and slow, the pedestrian proceeded to cross only for the driver behind to give me a blast on the horn and gesture with his hands! I can’t see me having a problem with these rules but I can see the majority having big issues! Red mist will be present!
Exiting a roundabout and you’ve got a boy racer or somebody up your backside won’t be happy when you slow and stop for what they think are unnecessary stops, brake checking if you like. Somebody overtaking on a single or dual carriageway and impaired pedestrian walks out is a disaster waiting to happen.
Most roundabouts in the UK are specifically designed for higher speeds than the "continental geometry" ones you get elsewhere & rarely in the UK. You're asking for trouble to make motorists give way to pedestrians on the exit of the roundabout unless it's rebuilt to geometry to ensure lower speeds. Would cost tens of billions to rebuild thousands of roundabout across the UK. Never going to happen during this half of this century.
@@ahdhudbbh This. 1000x this. Every roundabout Ashley shows is just garbage. The whole point is that you HAVE to slow down, but they make them either two lanes or just a painted dot in the middle and then wonder why they aren't working.
Generally, it seems to work well in Canada. Drivers there slow down if it appears a pedestrian is about to cross the road. Very safe and courteous, especially for the elderly and infirm. At light controlled crossings, as here, each type of road user waits their turn. We need to anticipate and drive using a feather on the accelerator!
What I'm unsure of is if this rule only applies to pedestrians crossing at designated crossing points? What I mean by this are places with dropped curbs, tactile paving etc. At the moment it sounds like I could be driving down a suburban road and I would have to give way to any pedestrians that wants to cross at any point on the road.
no this is not the case, it would be at any and all official crossing points like you state. most junctions already have these in place, and typically if in the middle of the street there would usually be an island, or an official crossing painted.
It only applies when you are turning into or out of junctions, I don't believe there has to be a dipped kerb or anything and hopefully they put in a exemption for junctions where the ped crossings are already light controlled or that would be counterproductive.
If a pedestrian, walking the same direction I am cycling (back to me), steps into the cycle lane at the last second and I hit them am I now at fault even though they did no checks and caused the collision? The rule that pedestrians can use any part of the road system seems to be a silly one. Keep every as separate as possible
Yielding to pedestrians crossing the road you are about to turn into/from or exiting/entering a roundabout is standard practice in other European countries, and there shouldn't be any issues there. Although, in other countries these tend to be marked crossings (Zebra markings on the road with signs, in Finland) where there is a pavement or multi use path. The rules in the roundabout are slightly different (usually you cannot exit from the inside lane) and multi lane roundabouts are a bit rare. I can see how yielding to pedestrians on a roundabout with UK rules might cause many minor rear end colissions / close calls. If you'd give priority to pedestrians crossing or wishing to cross any marked (similar to zebra) uncontrolled crossing, you could mitigate the potential issues at roundabouts by slightly moving the crossing, or by removing some crossings (given, there is an alternate path). I think it would be crazy to yield to pedestrians (who have red light) in traffic light controlled crossings. What's the point of having traffic lights if some road users are not obligated to obey them. Not from UK, but I think the proposed changes would work quite nicely (benefitting pedestrians, which we all are), if there is clear and loud education about the rule changes before they take place. Also, additional road markings (crossing markings) and signs (crossing signs) may be helpful
"What's the point of having traffic lights if some road users are not obligated to obey them." Because traffic lights/signalled crossings are there to control cars and to give pedestrians (read: people in their natural habitat) a safe way to walk around as they have done for thousands of years before cars arrived and made the roads more dangerous. People walking are not 'vehicles' and, while they shouldn't wilfully cause danger to others, the law should definitely be heavily slanted towards giving maximum freedom and protection to them. If that means slightly inconveniencing other road users, so be it.
Pavements & roads…natural habitat? I can’t quite agree with that. Progress happens, some good, some bad, not always balanced. Roads and crossings have been designed with a particular set of rules and behaviours in mind. Changing the rules, thus affecting behaviour, without also paying attention to the design breaks the balance. Always nice if you’re not the one being inconvenienced.
I don't think pedestrians will feel safe in the knowledge that they have right of way when crossing, so you will have a stalemate situation where the pedestrian does not cross until it's clear of traffic.
This is so crazy to me as a German. We already have this kind of priority and I would say it works very good! :) It forces you to be aware of your surroundings (both, drivers and pedestrians, etc.) and makes it feel like the road infrastructure is not only there for cars, but like cyclists and pedestrians are part of it, too. And as a pedestrian or cyclist you are still not allowed to cross a road when your light is red! Police can even give you points for that on your license or - if you do not have one - it can prevent you from getting one if you were caught too often as it deems you unfit for driving. When I had driving lessons, my driving instructor always said "first: look out for pedestrians and cyclists. Then: look out for cars and a potential gap" when making a turn. Applied this to driving in the UK, too, as I was unaware that this kind of priority is not the case there, and it turned out well and no one minded me doing this! However, I am glad no one ran me over while I was crossing roads in the UK as a pedestrian!
I think this new behaviour will infuriate and confuse drivers around the ones obeying the rules. This might cause dangerous circumvention tactics e.g. overtaking/undertaking where it is not safe.
I’ve always given way to pedestrians waiting to cross at normal junctions, have done so for many years. Mind you I’m not so sure about when exiting every roundabout though, but have done on occasion when it’s safe to do so. I will give way on the approach to roundabouts, again if it’s safe to do so. As regards traffic light controlled crossings, surely the pedestrian should abide with the the green (beeping)man for go and red man for stop.
Looking at all the other changes they want to make, they all make sense apart from this one. I disagree with you that it's a good thing amd that "if you use slower speeds and caution you control the situation but not so. You can't control others actions. The cars behind might not see the pedestrian that you are stopping for if they are hidden by a building or further round a corner. Like I've seen other comments here state, this may happen on a national speed limit Road and I'm sorry but if a car suddenly becomes and obstical on that road it does pose a very real threat of an incident. Finally my biggest issue with this is calling a pedestrian a road user, but many pedestrians (children, non drivers etc.) will lack any proper training or knowledge to understand why a car may stop for them, thus leaving the car that has stopped an obstruction for even longer. Any way you look at it, it's an increased hazard to the current method.
I would tend to agree with this one. Firstly, I never seen any Government advertising at all on these changes. I only learnt about them when watching the "This Morning" programme on TV. So I doubt many will know about the changes. As an example I was turning right into a side road and an adult with a couple of kids from the local infants school was planning to cross the side road. I stopped, with my indicator flashing. A car pulled behind me. The lady with the children started to wave me past but I shook my head and indicated to her to cross. Whilst this incident probably only lasted 10 seconds it indicated that she was either unaware of the new rules or didn't trust that I knew them. On another occasion I was exiting a side road turning right on to a main road and a Blue Meanie (Parking Warden) started to cross my path, left to right. She had already stepped in to the road before she saw me and stepped back to the pavement when she did see me. As I approached her I stopped and waived to her to cross. As she walked past she thanked me and I said, " I have to now, new rules". Her response was "Oh, is it?" Just goes to show!
I think on busy road with people turning left or right from a main road to a side road could be problematic. Especially at busy times. If a large ammount of people are crossing and you can't turn in to the road you likely to block the flow of traffic.
Has anyone thought of the wider implications of this? I'm just thinking of groups such as Insulate Britain!! A group of people constantly crossing back and forth across a busy junction quite legally!!! I can see it coming.
I mean...what's a protest if it doesn't get peoples attention? If there are actually so many people doing that that traffic throughout the country is at a standstill it's probably already too late to fix the environmental issues.
At least they would have to put some effort in. If someone wants to protest something by running back and forth across a crossing all day might be a good system to see how important their issue really is. Put those lazy IB protesters sitting down to shame.
@@quillo2747 This whole class thing you've got going on in the UK is really holding you guys back. It's like you thought there wasn't enough discrimination and made up an extra category to put people in.
I don't like the give way to pedestrians waiting to cross side roads part at the very least. In my commute I have to go into a side road. However the path that I would have to cross has an almost constant flow of pedestrians meaning it would be impossible to do this without waiting for atleast a couple minutes on a very busy road that is stop start traffic at this time. So this would completely ruin the flow of traffic here when instead, some pedestrians can wait a couple of seconds for me to get through. I can also see how the roundabout could cause rear-ends, especially if an inexperienced driver does the 'correct' thing according to the changes could lead to someone who is less experienced/distracted to rear end them. It could also lead to a lorry having to completely block the roundabout if they are doing the 'correct' thing, again ruining traffic flow.
In the case of the roundabout you showed there was another car coming round on the left, the pedestrian could easily have been hidden from them by a car on the right.
Personally, I am quite happy about the new changes. I failed a few mock tests because I gave way to pedestrians or cyclists. I would just rather have them out of the way and safe on the pavement (or in front). I do agree about the point regarding the roundabouts. All you have to do to never have an issue, though, is look up from the car in front's rear bumper and look ahead to what's going on. I know that will be a challenge for a fair few drivers.
The problem is the car behind you not seeing a pedestrian and not being ready for you braking hard to avoid an idiot who doesn't understand braking distances
What do you do when there are people standing by the kerb or crossing yakking on their phone with no intention of crossing and oblivious of their surroundings.
I fully agree with the change. I am one of the people who responded to the consultation and expressed concerns about how to tell if a pedestrian wants to cross the road as sometimes people stand near the edge of the road even when they are not intending to cross. But as you say if you drive sensibly and cautiously then it shouldn't be an issue.
Shouldn't it just be the motorists responsibility to stop if a pedestrian looks like they are going to cross without checking, rather than giving pedestrians the right of way completely? Given the risks it poses to higher speed limit roads when being blocked because of giving way or roundabouts? As a motorist you should 100% be aware of any potential hazards such as pedestrians approaching a road to cross. But I also feel responsibility should be given to the pedestrian to decide when it is safe to cross, or to find a controlled crossing.
I'll definitely be picking up a rear add-on dashcam. Working in the community and driving around during working hours I can see myself getting rear-ended giving way to pedestrians crossing a side road no matter how slow I approach let alone coming off a roundabout. The biggest problem will be people just not being aware of the changes.
Investing in a front & rear dashcam is the smartest thing you could possibly do right now. Don't get me wrong; I agree with the principles and concepts behind the new changes. However, the rules & recommendations-as they are currently worded-are going to be interpreted and actioned upon by users of the highway in their own ways, increasing risk across the board and creating a scenario where "good" drivers are at more risk of being affected than ever before.
I predict a lot of cars getting T-boned when turning right across traffic when pedestrians just step out and to avoid that the councils will have to spend a lot of money putting up barriers.
It would help if pedestrians & cyclists have the same responsibility as car drivers. Seeking eye contact and communicating a plan. Even the "passive aggressive" preemptive thank-you wave is a helpful signal, as you know what they are doing and you can factor it in. My concerns are mostly around phone zombies, and pedestrians/cyclists with music on that are less aware or not aware of their surroundings. I will do my best to factor that in, but what about a misguided sense of safety of "they will always stop so it doesn't matter" on the part of the weaker road user?
Yup. When people see oncoming cars turning across them they expect that car to complete the manoeuvre and therefore make no plan in case they stop because a pedestrian popped out from behind a wall on the road they were turning into. Demonstrating the new rule using junctions with plenty of visibility is nice but not representative of all driving situations. The reply here would be ‘why did you start turning across if you didn’t know the road was clear’ but situations change.
All road users which include pedestrians have a duty of care to all other road users and highway code advice or rules do not give right of way. I agree with Ashley prority is given not taken. There needs to be much better road user education, thanks to the present goverment for closing the public information office in 2010/2011, there is no government department to publicise/educate the public on any law changes.
This new rule should've come with redesigned infrastructure anyways. Just saying that pedestrians have priority is nice, but that's not magically going to make it so.
@@DuskHorizon "It would help if pedestrians & cyclists have the same responsibility as car drivers." Someone needs to reread the new hierarchy of road users rule.
So a line of pedestrians in a high street for instance would just stop the road altogether?? The roundabout scenario looks outright dangerous. So a dual carriage would be stopped for pedestrians as well ?? Bonkers !!
STOP LOOK LISTEN thats what we were taught, Its worked well enough for decades lets go screw up everyting the last 4 generations have taught each other and make complicated "whos at fault" situations. well done.
I think this will really cause issues, especially roundabouts. Canada have already had serious issues with this as they introduced this some years ago. However your advice about slowing down in anticipation of a problem is definitely going to help the situation.
I give it about a year before they backpedal on this having realised that nobody bothered with it. Well, apart from the sort of person who watches these videos, but we’re in a very small minority.
I think it will lead to better improvement in drivers skills, at the moment a driver can tell all sorts of stories why they ran down a pedestrian crossing a side road.
As a driver, cyclist, pedestrian (and childhood victim of a car knock-down) I can see a scenario where an almost constant stream of 'prioritised' crossing pedestrians could block an exit and grind a High Street to a halt. As a pedestrian waiting to cross a road I'm happy to keep my 'intention to cross' low-key until there's a natural gap in the traffic, rather than assert a right and hold up one solitary vehicle for the sake of it. There has to be give and take from all parties and, of course, common sense and courtesy. Back in the days of the Green Cross Code, we were urged not to cross a road immediately next to a junction but some way in from the junction. Above all, we were taught that roads were dangerous places and to keep our wits about us irrespective of our 'rights'. Good advice then and good advice now.
Pity common sense and courtesy died years ago.
This change in priority is to make the angry car driver think, it won't effect the considerate driver one bit because we already do it .
@Will Swift Norway. 2.5 million cars. UK. 36.5 million. Norway is also 25% greater in landmass. I really think some of these rules are going to create a real headache for the steady progression of vehicles in built up areas with a sizeable pedestrian footfall.
Exactly!!
@@Mark-yb5bv It is maybe deliberately designed to slow motor vehicles down . Maybe more people will then realise they can get to where they are going much faster on a bike.
Thanks for the updates Ashley. However, as a pedestrian in Bradford, I'll just wait for cars to complete their turn before I cross. I don't particularly want to be mowed down by some kid travelling 40mph in a 20mph zone. Nor do I want the car that does stop and give me priority, to be rear ended by someone looking at their phone and shunting that car into my legs.
But as I understand it, the new rule is that if drivers see someone on the pavement showing intention to cross, they will be expected to stop, so they won't complete their turn until you've crossed. At the moment if I'm at a junction waiting to cross and I can see that a vehicle is approaching and indicating to turn I'll usually waive them on and cross after them so as not hold up traffic. This new rule appears to take that option away from pedestrians, because even if they do this drivers will still be expected to stop until they've crossed.
@@joe909 I have to agree with you and @wileywilson. I'll try to wait for a gap. Just watched Ashley's video on the POV of a pedestrian. Literally no-one waited for him when he attempted to cross at a roundabout. Whilst I may have priority as a pedestrian, the risk to me is way too great to make any assumptions. It's the inconsistency at the moment that is the biggest risk, and until everyone gets it, there are going to be misunderstandings, which will increase the possibility of peds getting hit, bikes getting sideswiped and cars getting rear-ended.
@wileywilson. Well done. You have highlighted the basic problem with the rule which is that it is up to pedestrian to know that it relies on them understanding that it is the driver who either gives priority to the pedestrian....or not. The rule only states that the driver 'should', not that they must.
I think the roundabout issue you highlight is possibly the most dangerous. Plenty of road users are looking right for their "gap" to enter the roundabout, suddenly there could be queuing traffic back onto the roundabout on their left.
Obviously if everyone drove slowly, calmly, attentively then this would be less of an issue but we all know they don't. More importantly it does seem counter-intuitive regarding roundabouts. Roundabouts are designed to maximise traffic flow and these rules will reduce traffic flow.
Edit: Additionally as you mention lights controls later on, I think you are right that the lights should be allowed to control all road users, otherwise chaos can ensue with pedestrians preventing traffic from moving at the only time that traffic can move. Possibly leading to cars being trapped inside junctions. Leading to increased cost on councils to add barriers, yellow boxes in the junctions etc.
I agree. In an ideal world these changes wouldn't be a problem, but it's a long way from an ideal world. However, there are already problems and dangers, so the question is whether these new rules make things better or worse. I think in the long term it should and could be a big improvement, but there will be plenty of short term pain first. The roundabout situation is particularly worrying and, in the clip in the video, if the car had given way to the pedestrian, the van could well have collided with the car, which would also have put the pedestrian at risk. Frankly, having an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing point at a busy roundabout is potentially lethal.
As for the rule for traffic light controlled junctions and crossings, that needs spelling out in the Code. Surely, if there's a red light facing any road user which applies to that user then the rule should be that they MUST NOT proceed until the light changes to green. A red man symbol at a crossing applies to pedestrians.
Yes - seems really dangerous to me… at a busy round-about is so easy to be focussed on finding a gap. You move off, and you don’t expect the car that’s just about to exit the round about to jam on its breaks and block. In this situation, there is already so much to take in and predict. It’s not really a matter of creating a queue… just that one car that fails to clear will cause carnage. If this rule is really going to be adopted, roundabouts need pedestrian fencing so to you can only cross a cars length back from the roundabout exit…
Yes, the junctions seem a good idea - us drivers should just slow down in advance before turning. Drivers behind them should be aware they could stop too. This is all good. The roundabout is an exception to the rule. Maybe should be added to the highway code - that it excludes roundabouts.
@@broadsword6650 The Highway code just says Pedestrians "Should not" cross on a Red Man. However it is not Illegal to do so, unfortunately if you collide you best have a dashcam to show you had a Green Light and had little chance to stop. However that will only give a slight amount of weight on your behalf if you do hit a pedestrian that negligently runs into the road.
I agree, however I would also state that if you're not glancing left, regularly, when attempting to pull on to a roundabout, you're a poor driver. One should be looking for a gap AND making sure the road ahead is clear.
I confess i don't like the junction rule very much. I would much prefer formal pedestrian crossings in these locations. That way it is clear to everyone what they are for, and they can be set back 5-6m from the junction, which will help to avoid drivers having to stop in the middle of a carriageway when turning right and finding a pedestrian wants to cross. On busy days the presence of a lot of pedestrians could essentially "close" a right turn too, which will cause a major backlog of cars.
Crossings being sited round a corner , out of sight of traffic on the main road , is so dangerous .
I was second of two cars turning left off a main road : the car in front of me stopped suddenly , mid turn , as there was someone on the crossing ; I stopped safely and the car behind stopped without hitting me , but then there was a four or five car pile up on the NSL A road we were all travelling on .
@@derekheeps1244 A crossing is a lot easier to see than a pedestrian, especially at night.
What are your views on traffic lights that don't change colour if there is a constant stream of traffic, out of interest?
My biggest concern is that from a young age, we’re taught stop look listen. This new code is almost encouraging people to be reckless while crossing the road as they can almost assume they will be safe as drivers will stop. However this is Britain where no one on the road likes to help others and many people will not get the memo in time.
That's how I see it too. There is already a shocking number of pedestrians who just walk out into zebra crossings without ensuring cars have seen them. This rule is going to spread the issue to all junctions.
This rule change is to (amongst other places) Highway Code rule #8. _Stop, Look, Listen_ is in the immediately preceding rule, rule #7.
I agree. It's pandering the lowest level. Many pedestrians are already careless at looking over their shoulder to check for cars turning into the road they're crossing. I think most drivers are aware and ready to stop for them, but the new rule just encourages this bad habit from pedestrians. I mean, why do they even need to be "waiting" to cross now? What are they waiting for if they have the right of way?
@@jwalker7567 there was a clip of exactly this in the last video Ashley did on these changes. I don't "turn off" my awareness just because I'm walking but it's clear some people do.
@@jwalker7567 that is why I give a friendly toot if they don’t look
I find it hard to believe that this “Guidance” has been rolled out so quietly, the old Stop, Look and listen was a massive TV campaign,
H2 At a junction you should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road INTO which or FROM which you are turning.
Does this imply that at ANY form of junction the pedestrian has the right to step out in front of a vehicle?
Unfortunately I fear that at a Cross road junction, the pedestrian will see an approaching car indicating to turn right or left, the driver gives way, the pedestrian steps straight into the path of an oncoming car from the opposite direction who was going straight ahead.
Will the pedestrian remember that this rule only applies at Junctions or does it ?
Official Clarity is urgently needed as accidents will unfortunately happen or will this just join the SMART motorway fiasco of improvements
It is down to yourself to find out new rules. A licence is a privilege not a right.
@@tonyc9793 so now we know what the c stands for.
@@dtwistrewind7361 yes it stands for correct, well done for guessing correctly. Special badge for you.
@@tonyc9793 unfortunately the rules are so badly written it is impossible to work out exactly what they are. Even Ashley in this video says he doesn't know exactly how they apply to every scenario.
I agree
There's going to be more pedestrians knockdown than " anything else. !
The wording is advisory with a "you should" rather than a "you must". I think this really depends on the situation and if it's safe to do so. As a motorcylist i would feel rather unsafe doing this all the time and getting rear ended!
I'm a biker and feel exactly the same.
Imagine a two lane round about exit, with the pedestrian being obscured by a lorry on the left, they'd stand no chance.
@@Max-lf3tx slow down if view is obstructed
I see your point. One way to view a 'should' is that you may end up having to explain to a court why you didn't. So it is a little more than allow expression of a preference. More like "you need a very good excuse not to". But yes the rear-ending thing is a worry because huge numbers of people ain't gonna get the memo.
@@iambarks2814 you're just going to get your back end smashed in as the back of your car sticks out into the junction.
Normally I agree with what you say, and you are the expert here, as an instructor. I've learned a lot from your videos and I think myndroving has improved. However, to suggest that the white fiesta should basically stop on the roundabout whilst they wait to see if the pedestrian decides to cross or not is frankly ridiculous. I think these rules will lead to more rear end collisions turning into and out of roads, and with pedestrians who will now wander out into roads because "my right of way" as they go under the two ton vehidle.
And this is where Ashley is just too unreasonable and shows his anti car side. Crash for cash but now you don't even need a car.
exactly this scenario happened to me today ... pedestrian waiting right at the exit from a very busy 3 lane mini round about. ... no way was I going to stop blocking the lanes in the heavy traffic. I'd have been rear-ended for sure. Fortunately the pedestrian didn't appear to have read the new Highway Code. Although it used to work fine (speeds are low and most people are cautious), this roundabout needs a complete re-design to accommodate the Highway Code changes...
@@DrJams aye, a driving instructor being "anti-car" 🤡
@@thisaccountisdead168 yes, he wants non cars on the road to have priority. Not really pro car is he
I have to agree with you. Stopping on a roundabout, especially a major one, is dangerous. You cannot always see if there are pedestrians about to cross an exit when you enter a roundabout.
I thought Rule 170 'give way to pedestrians' applies to junctions, but not roundabouts.
The only guidance I can see on roundabouts is Rule 187 - "watch out for and give plenty of room to pedestrians who may be crossing the approach and exit roads". I interpret this as watch out for pedestrians already crossing. This doesn't mean you need to stop before a roundabout exit to let all pedestrians cross.
In my experience, stopping on a roundabout is highly likely to lead to you getting rear-ended by traffic behind you looking right and not ahead.
Happy to be challenged, it just isn't clear enough in the guidance. There is specific guidance for roundabouts and none of that mentions giving way to pedestrians. Is a roundabout exit a junction? I don't think so.
I agree to all the scenarios apart from giving way to pedestrians while exiting a roundabout as this is just dangerous to all parties involved
I dont even drive but the roundabout is about keeping traffic flowing so to me that's plain stupid
Don’t give way to them at all it’s not law it’s advisory. I will not be stopping in the middle of the road on left hands turns for a pedestrian.
@@rideoutlondon best learn how to walk or how to get a bus or taxi then!!!
@@500mime Why? I’ll carry on as I always have as I said it’s not law.
@@rideoutlondon I'm just hoping people pushing prams don't start enforcing their new right of way.
Very interesting. I'm okay with pedestrians crossing a "normal" junction at its something that a lot of folk already pay attention to. But..... that scenario with the roundabout makes me a bit nervous. How do you interact with the pedestrian to let them know you've seen them? Your speed at a roundabout exit tends to be higher than if you were turning into a junction. This is a complex rule change and I'm not sure if it's progress.
It's worth noting that being aware that pedestrians might be crossing roundabout exits is _already_ in rule 187. That part is not actually a change.
@@JdeBP I suppose the change is the pedestrian is now stationary on a footway, compared to already crossing and on the roadway under the old rules.
It's arguable that it's no more than a clarification. Certainly the accompanying official blurb for the rules change argues that these are "clarifications". (Personally, I'm not sure that I agree.) Rule #7 is the Green Cross Code, and one could make the argument that if a pedestrian is doing _Stop, Look, Listen_ xe is "crossing", because xe has begun the procedure for crossing the road. The real change is that the idea, held by some, that pedestrians have to have at least one foot on the carriageway has gone away. The change (in the very next rule, rule #8, amongst other places) changes "crossing" in the rules as they are now to "crossing or waiting to cross", and by the aforegiven argument is simply clarifying that "crossing" is not intended to be narrowly construed as only already walking across the carriageway.
It`s NOT progress. It`s just plain stupid and dangerous
A pedestrian is required to use the 'Green Cross Code', so they should only begin to cross when they know it is safe to cross.
I'm going to be honest, I can see myself accidentally shunting the rear-left of a car that's stopped for a pedestrian at a roundabout just outside my peripheral vision when I've expected them to be clear of the road ahead.
Such an incident will obviously stem from a behaviour that I need to improve on, and luckily I'm aware of it-a lot of drivers won't be ready for it.
@@zaixai9441 No such thing as "right of way" in the UK.
@@zaixai9441 If you cant verify that the space you are moving into is free then don't move into it until you are.
You affectively need to look both ways now when joining a roundabout. I'm not sure thats such a great idea and will just lead to issues but we'll wait and see.
@@lydiataylor9280 Eh, you saying you don't at the moment?
Hopefully you look both ways turning out of other junctions...
@@cockpiss9260 yes there is : it is the right to use the road .
Although I am very much in favour of these changes (even as a car driver), I have a huge concern about the lack of any meaningful publicity campaign regarding these changes, which I understand are coming into affect on January 29th. That's just 11 days from today! I can see all kinds of danger and confusion arising from the following scenarios due to lack of publicity:
SCENARIO #1:
Pedestrian is aware of the rule changes and starts to cross in front of a driver who is not aware of the rules. Yes, as a pedestrian you absolutely still need to exercise caution but I suspect there will be some who will take the "I have priority" mentality, with bad consequences.
SCENARIO #2:
Pedestrian isn't aware of the rule changes and refrains from crossing even though a driver who is aware of the new rules, waits to let them cross. It's then going to be a waiting game of "After You / No After You/ No No After You" with the inevitable delay until someone decides to go first....possibly at the same time the other road user eventually does as well.
As there was no meaningful consultation about the propsals what do you expect from the DfT?
This is what has concerned me as there's been no important Public service announcement on these changes taking effect on the 29th January.. What I mean is that there should be an announcement at least during a commercial break rather just on the TV news to get message across of the highway code new changes.
Yeah the lack of publicity is concerning.
The only publicity seems to be random items on individual rule changes in newspapers and provided without the necessary clarity. How can people be expected to be aware! Officially the next Highway code booklet won't be issued until March 2022 at the earliest!
@@robertsprigge5535 March 2022?! This ain't right. Unless it's some ploy to get some Drivers into more trouble who knows.
This is bonkers, especially on a roundabout. I can see a rise in personal injury claims going up for those who are after a few quid!! Time will tell I guess!
100% agree with you, it's going to be a nightmare.
Depends on the speedlimit at the roundabouts and many roundabouts in the UK allow drivers to go to fast round them. That's the main problem. The faster you go the less likely you're to stop and the more severe an inccident will be. This should've come with redesigned infrastructure or atleast redesigned infrastructure rules.
I suspect most councils will turn these cruising points into raised zebra crossings in order to reduce the chance of accidents happening. Before that happens, it goes without saying that any pedestrian who marches out onto the road based on what the updated highway code says is probably going to end up in A+E pretty quickly.
@@lydiataylor9280 in The Netherlands it's like this for ages and no real problems
@@MichielvanderMeulen yup Netherlands is the model to follow.
Pretty certain a big part of the change is to force better design for infrastructure, near me we're already getting continuous pavements that span junctions making priorities crystal clear.
As a pedestrian, I only ever wait for safe gaps in traffic when crossing the road, when a car "gives" me right of way, I don't really trust their judgement (I've had several drivers try to wave me across the road into oncoming traffic) I'll continue to do so after this change comes into practice.
I think introducing this change in rules to an oblivious driving population (literally no other drivers I've talked to in person have been aware of this change in rules) and pedestrians that already have little self preservation is a dangerous, irresponsible thing. It'd be a different story if this change was announced and publicised properly, but so few people are aware that I think it's going to cause some potentially fatal confusion.
I'm gonna have to quote you on that self preservation because thats exactly the phrase I'm looking for. We wouldn't even need these rules if pedestrians would just fucking look around before sepping out into the path of an oncoming 1800kg bullet
@@seemslegit6203 Exactly. I support the cycling changes to the rules to an extent, but I feel like we're going backwards with the pedestrian rule change. If the goal is to keep people safe we should be encouraging more self preservation and accountability, not even less.
Not to mention, some drivers are always going to be clueless and not look more than 5 feet in front of their vehicle, just because they *should* stop, doesn't mean they will. why prompt people to put themselves in harms way even more?
@strangelyunusual exactly. I follow the news back from my home country, where pedestrians have priority, and you always hear about cases where they just blindly walk out onto the road without even looking in either direction, these rules will unfortunately only have the same effect. Most people shouldn't have an issue sacrificing a few extra seconds to look before crossing, or waiting for a car to pass.
Your absolutely right.. Its misguided to think priority means safer.
At 2m55s in your video a lady (on her phone!) waves the motorist to drive in front of her. The motorist will now be committing an offence (even if she had no intention of crossing). The police will gleefully dish out fines and penalty points for these serious offences. I would welcome your feedback on whether a pedestrian waves their right of priority with such a gesture?
On the roundabout issue. There are already cases where there are pedestrian crossings (either zebra or light controlled) immediately on exits to roundabouts. I have always thought they were particularly dangerous and stupid bits of road infrastructure but they are already there and the situation to that mentioned is not all that different except that the crossings are more obvious. They are also dangerous in that they can sometimes be mistaken for lights controlling the actual roundabout when approaching. I have nearly done this myself on a couple of occasions in areas I am not familiar with but have realised my mistake just in time but regrettably not without scaring another road user. Would be interesting to know stats on how many accidents are caused at such places.
In one of the junction/road design manuals there's a rule covering this, but there's a lot of places where it's not being followed.
"Where a crossing must be provided within the junction layout, a Zebra crossing is preferred; it avoids any ambiguity as to priority that a signal-controlled crossing can create for the driver approaching the roundabout Give Way line"
yes, to me, there should not be a pedestrian path so close to a road speed roundabout at all, unless the crossings are on a different grade from the roundabout.
@@kenbrown2808 Unfortunately there are plenty of them with some crossings quite close to the exit - say within 50 metres or so, including some with part-time traffic signals onto, and/or on the roundabout itself. On such layouts, sometimes the signals are black, sometimes not (except the crossing ones). While there is often a fair bit of fencing to prevent crossing outside the crossing, it’s wise to check that something moving off to the left is actually out of the way, especially trucks and buses at places like that. The alternative is often not feasible, such as underpasses/overbridges, if made to be accessible to the disabled (which they have to be now).
Have a play with this one: 51°34'05.9"N 1°48’06.2"W When shot by the TH-cam car, most of the signals were active - but they are not always.
I do highways work and have done regular work on roundabouts with these on them, there was one roundabout in particular with one of these crossings on it and on average there was approx 2 accidents during a 4 hour period of working on it almost daily for a week! Not all bad ones but still an accident non the less.
@@MrStreetboy80 this is real life mate but all these Rd planners don't think like this it's all scenarios which isnt real life
I'm really trying to work out if I'm just getting old, and old-fashioned in my views or whether these changes have been dreamt up by some bureaucrat in a poky office somewhere.
I consider myself a pretty logical, common-sense type of guy and throughout the course of my life have usually been able to come up with the 'sensible' answer to many varied problems/issues.
However, these changes just seem totally the wrong way around - a bit like in nature, you don't get the elephants trying to tip-toe around the far smaller animals.
In the same way, surely the onus should be on the smaller, more nimble of road users to take more care around the larger, more difficult to drive and manoeuvre vehicles (ie HGV's).
I thought the whole point of the road network was to promote and facilitate movement of vehicles and goods, not just for journey time but also for increasingly important environmental issues.
The more reasons you give for HGV's to stop/slow down the (much) more fuel they end up using and the longer journey times take.
Equally it really shouldn't be for an HGV driver to even have to worry about anyone being down their blind-side or standing on a corner they are trying to navigate.
Isn't it surely human instinct to step back from such situations and not put oneself in danger? Or hold back in a car if a large vehicle in front of you is attempting to manoeuvre?
It's only impatience or sheer stupidity (ie walking around with your head buried in your phone with headphones on and oblivious to anything around you) that says any different - just take a bit of responsibility and not think that everyone else will sort something out for you as an individual.
I really just believe that these changes will promote the wrong mentality and in busier areas cause a mess out there on the roads - just think of being in a bigger town/city and trying to turn left say, when there is a constant stream of pedestrians...
100% agree. Very sensible post!
I think the big problem is a 21st Century mindset of "privilege" and "entitlement". I would far rather have an approach where everybody treats everybody else with respect, rather than have "privilege" coded onto rules so that the entitled ones can abuse them.
I agree as well, its gonna be a pain in the arse if these rules are strictly enforced. I don't think they will be because its gonna say 'you should' instead of you must. But still going to cause lots of confusion I reckon
@@R04drunner1 Just watch the dashcam channels on TH-cam. Many providers of the content are convinced that they have 'Right of way' and were right to drive into an accident even when they are wrong!
I agree, and I share the feeling of being 'old' and out of step with the current hive mind. What was wrong with pedestrians waiting for a safe time to cross?
@@Jehannum2000 I'll prefer to wait as a pedestrian. I want to cross in my own time in a leisurely pace. I don't want now to feel rushed by the car giving me this new priority and way.
The biggest problem I have with this rule is that it doesn't really change anything, but people, particularly pedestrians, are likely to take "motorists should give way" as "pedestrians have right of way", because of the way it is being talked about. This is what I believe will cause the most issues, and the most accidents.
Peds walking into the road, without looking, expecting cars to stop then shouting "It's my right of way you twat!", not knowing the rules.
The rule should be that 'motorists should give way to pedestrians, however, pedestrians should always stop at junctions'
@@dylandajhharwood5566 They need to understand physics. A car can't just stop. It needs distance and time. They have to be aware of this.
This is giving rise to the whole confusion between the non-existent right of way and having priority. You give way, but have priority. The Right of Way only exists when you are following a public footpath that is marked on an Ordnance Survey map... and even then you need to act with discretion and respect...!
@@stephenbrookes7268 At the end of the day you need to have control of the vehicle unless you really can't. Otherwise why are you driving?
@@blueninjanoname7338 I am always saying to my son, who can scream round a track in a race car. It's not about how well you can control a car, but what other people do. You have to do the thinking for everyone.
I love the way I can now wander around the roads as a pedestrian, crossing where I like without having to look out for vehicles. Everyone in vehicles will now have to compensate for my stupidity. Its like having my mummy and daddy looking out for me all the time. Great job thanks.
I'm glad you'll now be able to walk around listening to music and staring down at your phone, especially at night when dressed all in black, whilst paying absolutely no attention to your surroundings with the blind hope of reaching 21 years old.
And when I'm out with my yoof mates we can swagger across the road real slow, one by one, watching all the angry drivers. We can then turn around and cross back even slower, one by one!
@@raidermanuk I can't wait until driverless cars exist on the road. Then the yoof will have a lot of fun.
Yoof walk in front of car, which is driving itself to pick up its owner and is empty of humans. Car stops. Group of yoof then rock car onto its side and then roll it onto its roof.
They can call it yoofroofin and live stream it on the internet which they own because it was invented for them.
@Dr Diablory Yes and for 200000 years we didn't have the populations and crowded city centres. Maybe we should go back to living in caves?
I live in Keynsham which is about midway between Bristol and Bath. Keynsham is quite unusual in my experience in that there are signs on the approaches to the quite small town centre advising motorists that "This is a pedestrian friendly town centre" meaning that drivers should be especially aware of pedestrians and ever ready to give way to them. In effect this is what the new Highway Code rules are introducing for the country as a whole. Unfortunately, it is my observation that some pedestrians have become accustomed to the idea that they can do more or less just as Campervan Dave suggests and wander across roads with little or no precaution, invariably ignoring or even being unaware that traffic has had to stop for them. It seems likely that this situation will become familiar everywhere now.
I'm always very careful as pedestrian when I cross a road, even if I got priority because the law of physics is above all others.
Otherwise you will have written "I had priority" on your gravestone :)
Love it, left me giggling. " I had priority"🤣🤣
100% the same here. Even with zebra crossings I cant just walk into the road. Saying you were in the right means very little from the inside of an ICU.
As an instructor I can see this being difficult to implement, could the DVSA help by running a big ad campaign to make existing drivers aware? Otherwise learners are going to be out of sync with other road users. Good video ,well presented.
As an instructor,i would have thought you'd bother pointing out the sheer bloody lunacy of it.
I wasn`t a good vid,it was stupid. The cars shown were driving unrealistically slow. So unreal. Deal with the real world,not as you would like it to be.There will be greater no. of accidents following these changes I`m sure
@@beastieboy3926 you mean the actual real cars driving on the actual real roads?
When are the proposed chances actually coming into force? My major concern about the changes are education. How many drivers who have already got their licence are actually going to know about the changes? Are we going to see a lot of accidents where pedestrians who are aware of the rule change may step out to cross a juntion feeling they have right of way and a driver fails to stop? As a pedestrian I wouldn't step out until it was clear to do so or if an oncoming car came to a complete stop to give way. I don't see many more cars than normal giving way and so making this rule change pointless. Being cynical, as a predestrain this rule change makes no change to how you have to cross a road, at most I may be less reluctant to cross when someone in a car signals to me to cross rather than waving them on so I can cross when the road is clear.
The changes take affect on the 29th of this month.
Given the complete ignorance or misinformation of many drivers about the current Highway Code (especially when it comes to things like cyclists riding two abreast), I am not hopeful that many people will be aware of or take on board these changes.
I think we need a Chris Whitty-style TV PSA every ad break to get the message out there.
Works the other way though. Pedestrians won't know about the change either, so effectively there will be little change to what's already happening
@@rory90FiVe The conflict will come when pedestrians act according to the new code, and drivers aren't aware of it. It's also interesting from the perspective of driverless cars - I can see a lot of stalemate situations where the car is frozen and unable to move.
@@dmac2573 How will s driverless car differentiate between a pedestrian on a pavement who is walking along, and someone wanting to cross - and therefore expecting you to stop?
with 44 years accident free driving and zero points on my license for same period. I have always given way to pedestrians approaching or standing at a crossing. i do think the roundabout rule will cause a lot of issues for a lot of drivers as they drive far too close to the car in front.
The proposed rules sound good in principle but rolling them out into a society that isn't familiar with them and also has lots of poor drivers. I'd be surprised if there was a net benefit.
This is the best surmised comment IMO. Yeah things like this sound great but it’s becoming clear that these things just aren’t going to work in practice. Seems very much like the Smart motorway style debacle of 2022
They are good. They've been used in the Netherlands for years and that's still the best country to drive in. As a road user oitside of a metal box you should already know that priority is given to you, not taken by you. So apart from a few incidents this should be fine.
The only way this will get better is if drivers that don't give priority get fined appropriately and designs of crossings and roundabouts is improved to better indicate who has priority. For this you can again just look at the Netherlands. A combination of curbs, continues sidewalks, paint, coloured asphalt and signs is what you need.
@@johnb8956 Smart motorways are idiotic given that most drivers don't use Lane 1 to begin with. There'd be an immediate improvement in traffic flow and capacity if education and/or enforcement of poor lane discipline was implemented.
@@woutervanr Also, in The Netherlands we had a change where cyclists have right of way the same as motorists, and that went pretty well. No need to not change because of fears of change.
people who live in the UK have no appreciation for "lots of poor drivers" until they visit the US. your poor drivers are our average drivers and your average drivers are our courteous drivers.
Hi. I really like your optimisation on this and really hope your right for everybody's sake.
Personally I think the accident rate will definitely go up. It maybe pedestrians getting hurt or rear end shunts and I'm just waiting to see and really hope myself and others are wrong 🤞
I'm going to heading to Halfords to have a dash cam fitted ASAP front and rear and may invest in a nice big tow bar for if and when the shunt happens.
No way on earth I'm stepping out in front of a car and the basis I have the right of way until the car has stopped 🤣
Top answer mate
Agreed. I think for motorist these changes make the dash-cam a near-essential item.
Getting dash cams entered my thoughts after watching this video.
@@Explore2Adore I'm having front and rear fitted. Would love to know who got paid to come up with the new laws 🤔 Personally i think it was mainly the so called professional cycling community who always comply with the laws of the road 🤔 🤣
Despite not having an accident for decades, I decided that I needed to improve my driving so 4 months ago I bought a dashcam (AZDOME - excellent quality) to enable me to review situations. I've also been watching a lot of the dashcam channels on TH-cam to learn what’s really going on out there, scary!
More recently I looked at getting a rear camera too. Learning about the forthcoming changes I feel a rear camera is now absolutely essential.
I think the zebra crossing one does sort of feel like something I was doing anyway. I don't know about "treating it like a racetrack", but the biggest issue will be for a lot of drivers who are reluctant to adjust speed in response to hazards, especially those coming from the pavement (which is, sadly, a lot of drivers).
While I'm not hugely in favour of these changes, I'm not really worried about them either. The roundabout thing is a concern, though, and I do hope that the intent at designated crossings is for things to stay as is.
Most motorists stop for pedestrians waiting to cross like you. I remember a case where two people were talking to each other across the road and each car stopped for them. Caused quite a tail-back.
@@andyalder7910 I agree most drivers don't, but even if it were, say, 10% of motorists that's still about 3 million people.
Some roundabouts are dangerous enough already, with drivers being forced to change lanes very quickly. If they have also got to look out for pedestrians crossing as they exit, this could cause absolute mayhem with a lot of scope for increased accidents. I don't think it has been thought through properly
Those damed pedestrians getting in the way. I do hope they don't make you late. Never mind the rest of your life with the nightmare s just f,,,,,,ng slowdown.
It is the rule. Road rules are not optional.
2:15 - In the slow moving queued traffic shown in your example I agree you can exert a lot of control over the traffic behind you, but on a 60 road with spread out traffic you have no control over a driver speeding towards you from a long distance behind, if they're expecting you to be out of the way by the time they reach you they might not even bother to slow down at all.
You're right it is a case of race drivers being the issue, but it's still an issue whether you are one or not in this situation.
I agree. This is particularly an issue for motorcyclists and cyclists, where you have a reduced road presence and the ability for you to force vehicles behind to slow is extremely limited.
Even worse for HGV drivers who tend to hate breaking momentum. I driving a passenger vehicle on a high speed road with a HGV barrelling behind me, I'd rather be in the wrong side of the law and safe, then being right and in an accident.
This rule is already part of the Finnish highway code. Whenever you turn at an intersection, you have to give way to the "light traffic" (anyone travelling on the pavement). This also applies to roundabouts, and it doesn't cause issues. Of course, there are some differences to the UK; all pedestrian crossings are zebra crossings and roundabouts are designed in a way that the crossing is a car's length from the roundabout. So yielding to a pedestrian doesn't leave you blocking the roundabout.
The yielding also applies to people crossing the road even if it isn't an official crossing. You also have to yield to any pedestrian, cyclist or moped travelling at the side of the road (on a road that has no pavement).
Every time you turn at an intersection, you have to look over your shoulder. This is one of the basics taught at driving schools. This is a useful habit to pick up even if there's no law about yielding. The reason why the "yield on turn" rule exists is to make people more cautious when turning.
Regarding someone walking on a crossing against a red light, you have to yield to them (if possible). It's no different from a car running a red light. Even if that happens, you have the obligation to try and avoid an accident. You can't crash into someone just because you had a green light.
"A pedestrian doesn't leave you blocking the roundabout". Well if there's more than one car wanting to leave the roundabout it will then. I thought that a roundabout is meant to expedite the flow of traffic.
What will happen on roads with high pedestrian traffic and numerous side streets? If there is a constant stream of pedestrians walking along the pavements will traffic just come to a standstill?
Yep! Imagine at school time when The kids leave, it's gonna cause havoc
The pedestrian traffic is moving well though right?
Pedestrians *are* traffic.
I think the volume of vehicle traffic had increased to the point where Pedestrians are disadvantaged.
I welcome the changes to re-address the balance to give Pedestrians better opportunities to cross.
@@TheVanderfulLife The optimist in me thinks that this might incentivise people not to use their car to pick-up/drop-off their children. After all, they should reside relatively close to the school anyway.
@@pifko87 What? And let the poor little mites wear their little legs out on the 200 yard walk home? That's child cruelty. It might even be raining. It should be a law that each and every child under the age of 18 must travel to and from school in a large 4WD SUV in order to keep them warm, dry, and not tired out from the walk.
2:14 Ashley, as a beginner driver who has patiently been waiting for a test due to the shortage, I must say I have learnt a lot from your content. So for that, I thank you.
This how ever has made it all the more disappointing when you said "you will only have problems with people behind you if you are going to give way to a pedestrian who wishes to cross the road and you are approaching too fast. Last minute reaction and a heavy break will increase risk of a rear end collision".
The last sentence being very true, of course, but the first is far too broad to be true. Being too broad is the problem with the rule too. This rule is set out as if we live in a perfect world, with perfect driving and sensible drivers; which even as a beginner with little time on the road, I can tell you is not the case. In the video you show two clips , one of a boy racer and one of you driving sensibly. While there is no arguing the boy racer is an idiot the problem with both is these are all on wide-ish streets with very visible exits. This rule is actively encouraging pedestrians to walk out in the road without thinking because they are top of the hierarchy.
It is going to make for scenarios like, lets say... a boy racer is behind you, you have slowed to sensible speed, in plenty of time with proper indication to take a corner with poor visibility. Pedestrian steps out without any thought apart from "I am entitled to do so" and only becomes visible to as you round the corner (many corners where I live are like this), so you have no choice but to stop suddenly, but the boy racer has assumed you have turned and stop paying proper attention. Surely you can see this is dangerous precedent to set.
Furthermore, as you touched on in your video, the norm already is to stop and let people cross, if the driver deems it safe to do so.
There are already plenty of close calls and death as it is from reckless drivers and pedestrians, why encourage dangerous and unsafe practices? After all the whole point of the highway code is to keep everyone safe.
To add more, the roundabout you showed. The whole point roundabouts exist is to keep traffic flowing, so why are we making people stop on them. It is increasing confusion, chances of collision, emissions and wear to the brakes and tyres.
Yep exactly - roundabouts are meant to increase flow. The guidance never mentions giving way to pedestrians on roundabouts. Only at junctions.
The pedestrian one is a bit silly, may aswell put zebra crossing on every junction. certain places like in a busy town or city will just cause hold ups in traffic if its super busy, imagine having to wait for 100 people wanting to cross.
Yep. You have this in a big city where there is a constant stream of people walking along the pavement and you will be there all day.
There’s a zebra crossing in Birmingham city centre (Suffolk Street, just before the underpass that leads to the Mailbox) where it is already incredibly difficult to pass due to the flow of pedestrians. Sometimes you just have to go when people aren’t quite yet physically on the crossing. The only option under the new rules would be for all of those crossings to be pelican crossings, as traffic would not move otherwise.
This is another rule where the adverse consequences haven’t been thought through. It seems to me that introducing a mindset for pedestrians that they have priority every time is well meaning, but dangerous. Then again only the lawyers need to worry as I suspect most people won’t notice and even fewer will change their behaviour.
I decided to just start practicing the give way to pedestrians from the moment I heard about this new rule coming in, so far so good... I was skeptical but I think it's not so bad so far... That said,I was waiting on a zebra crossing just today and three cars in a row didn't stop but put their hands up in their window at me to say sorry, all were speeding... Worst part is that I had my 2.5 year old stood on the crossing waiting with me, I ALWAYS talk her through my actions when crossing the road and ALWAYS remind her that cars may not stop even if one side has stopped - always be sure before crossing, next stage has begun -thanking drivers, that'll be fun when she starts thanking the cars 😍
I think one of the most important messages to pedestrians is to never run across a road. I've spent some time in India and the seeming insanity of their overly congested roads within their cities taught me something. You can close your eyes and slowly cross a road walking because people will happily route around you, if you run it causes carnage and you will be run over because road users don't have the time nor the space to avoid you or other impacts.
@@TheVicar that's very true! Ngl, india's Road systems definitely is a put off for me lol but what an experience that must have been! I'd love to go but I'd never be able to get around too far lol! Thank you for your reply
@@LinxyWun Its certainly an eye opener and an amazing country to visit. One thing that surprised me is the wild dogs that live in packs around the cities walk around the roads with impunity. Very few people have pet dogs but one day i watched one escape onto a road and it was running around causing absolute mayhem, whereas the wild dogs and cows would be calm and safe wandering in the middle of the road.
This is never going to happen and will probably lead to people stepping into the road without care because of the "priority" attitude. In school we got told "stop look and listen". It's never done me any harm
That is an awful attitude. We should give cars priority because otherwise pedestrians might think they have priority and might get hurt. Of course people still need to pay attention to their surroundings but it is primarily the drivers responsibility not to hit pedestrians not pedestrians responsibility not to get hit.
@@jamesdewitt84 I'm sorry James but you have the wrong attitude in my opinion. The road is designed and the domain of vehicles, not pedestrians. In the same way that even these new rules are saying the pavement is the domain of the pedestrian and so cars should not park on pavements and such. The separation is important, but I agree that we can work together to make sure everyone is safe. Pedestrians using 'stop, look and listen' helps ensure that. If you look at the situations shown in the video a lot of the times you had near misses was because the pedestrian had not looked before stepping off the curb and so the driver had to react, which means that those pedestrians are not following the current guidelines
It's everyone's responsibility to use the roads as safely as possible. Drivers shouldn't drive into pedestrians, but equally pedestrians shouldn't put themselves (and others) at risk by walking without due care and attention. Roads and traffic are dangerous things; everyone should treat them with sensible caution.
@@broadsword6650 the problem there is your word "equally" it's not equal at all.
@@jamer106616 this attitude is the problem. The street is not the "domain of vehicles" it is the public space between houses that can also be used to move around in using vehicles. There are roads that clearly are the domain of vehicles like big a roads, dual carriageways and motorways. Cars need to drop this "my domain get out of the way" attitude on public streets.
It's going to make it a bit difficult to turn right into a side road, in busy traffic, isn't it? You have to wait for a fleeting space in the cars coming towards you, but are unable to move due to pedestrians crossing the road you're turning into.
Absolutely this! There seems to be more focus on motorists/cyclists turning left into a junction. Turning right into a junction in busy traffic can be hard enough as it is. Maybe easier if a pedestrian starts to cross on the side of the road you are turning into as you can keep an eye on both the road ahead gap opportunity and pedestrians. Not always going to be easy to check for pedestrians who start crossing on the other side of the road you are turning into -- especially in the dark.
I hadn't even thought about that because all of the focus and conversation is about turning left!! I think that's a very fair point.
Something else that's linked to your point is say you're in rush hour traffic, wanting to turn left into a road and there's a pedestrian wanting to cross so you stop. The car coming towards you and wanting to turn right may not be able to see the pedestrian (if your car or anything else is blocking them), sees you stopped and takes it as a sign of letting them go in front of you. 🤷🏻♂️
I feel like this will get scrapped in a few months time, especially on national speed limit roads
What I'm most worried about is that a lot of people seem to think the new rule means you have to stop for pedestrians waiting to cross at any point so you're going to get people on main roads who aren't turning coming to stop for no reason.
Looks like motorists are just going to have to adapt...frankly it makes a nice change for pedestrians not to be treated as next to worthless by road/traffic planners/users...not to be the bottom priority for once...one could easily get sick to death (literally) of "only" having to walk a hundred yards or so further, or "only" waiting a few minutes more for a safe crossing in the pouring rain so the superior beings in the shelter of their nice warm cars can get to their destinations sooner...
I recall back, long before my retirement from the passenger transport industry, attending a regular transport forum and being told by one of the council delegates "you're surely here to represent bus companies, so why on earth are you expressing views on pedestrian measures?" and responding to the effect that all of my passengers were pedestrians until they got to the bus stop...he was quiet after that, (and looking back I don't believe I ever saw him at any further forum meetings), but that viewpoint is sadly not uncommon...it's about time things changed...
@@rachc595 also there will be many pedestrians thinking they can just walk out at any point too. time to get the person with a red flag walking in front of your 300+ bhp car
@Uniniks Perhaps this is a government plan to get more drivers off the roads! Enough prosecutions for Careless driving and some of the poorer drivers will no longer be drivers.
@@cogidubnus1953 going with the change they also might be lifeless. the roundabouts don't all have footpaths 50yrds after junction its usually 2 car lengths and most cities now have dual carriage ways where both lanes can be used for ahead left lane prepares to slow down/stop right hand lane hurtles on.. exit to immediate left runs into left hand side of vehicle slowing down to stop.. Not going to end well and being a bus driver you must see how this is going to go. We also for years been conditioned to stop at junction till vehicles pass I always taught this to my kids.. So that will lead to confusion only 1 death is all it takes.. And as most say on here we will have the privileged few, u kno the ones with hoods up earphones on and crossing on their stupid skateboard. But hey ho you will be the one in handcuffs.. Its a stupid rule
I had reservations about this as soon as they announced it. I have no problem with giving priority to pedestrians as a rule, but picture this: You are on a busy shopping high street and you wish to turn right. There is traffic coming in the opposite direction so you wait... The traffic clears and you go to turn, but you now have pedestrians approaching the junction wishing to cross. They are spread out groups of 1, 2 and 3 people, so you wait... Just as the pedestrians begin to clear the junction, more traffic is approaching from the front, so you wait.... The traffic stops and you are just about to turn when a couple of cyclists come up from behind and make use of their priority, by overtaking you... Once they have passed, there are now more pedestrians crossing the junction... when they clear there is traffic coming in the opposite direction... and so on... Lets also add in someone parked too close to the junction, leaving only enough room for one vehicle coming in or out, and there are cars trying to get out of the same junction.
Now, before anyone says, "But what is the likelihood of all that happening?" I would suggest you try somewhere like Shirley High Street in Southampton, or Mare Street in Hackney on a market day, and then see if you still have the same question. As I said, I have no issue with giving priority to pedestrians. I just think it could cause absolute bedlam in certain situations and will result in people getting frustrated and doing silly things.
Or worse still, you move into the oncoming lane when traffic is clear to complete your turn and then a pedestrian moves towards the roadside.. then you're stopped blocking the oncoming flow of traffic.
Either way you're holding up one direction of traffic indefinitely Vs a pedestrian waiting and holding up no one 🤷🏻♂️
This is so interesting. Everywhere else in Europe like the Netherlands and Spain, pedestrians have been having priority for a long time so when I moved to the UK and I saw cars just turning into a road and I had to stop dead in my tracks when crossing the road to let the CARS pass was bewildering to me. Cars should be the ones that stop for me when I am about to cross the road not the other way around. I am already much more vulnerable and car users (yes me included) will just have to be more aware which is good. In spain, the hierarchy is literally the opposite of the UK. Pedestrians and cyclists will always be top priority however buses, trucks and other large vehicles have the most priority and cars have the lowest priority
You're on the pavement and cars are on the road so why should they have to give priority to you?
Nonsense. How do I know you're 'about to cross the road'? Oftentimes pedestrians are nattering with someone, looking like they may want to cross. Should I immediately come to a halt every time I see someone looking like they're thinking about crossing?
@@Jehannum2000 when the other countries have had this rule for a long time, most people to know to not daydream right next to a junction. However in the UK, since many people do not know about this rule, it’ll take time before everyone understands to not daydream next to the crossing and only approach the crossing if you’re actually about to cross. It’s all about education. Some people are more aware and more considerate than others are and as a car driver, cyclist and pedestrian myself, we have to be extra conscious about what we’re doing so that we do not potentially kill someone which will now be our fault if they step out infront of the car when they’re crossing 🤷🏽♂️ that point alone should make everyone slow down and be more aware
@@WorldwideHypercars It will only make already-aware drivers more hesitant and pedestrians more careless. It will have no effect on the majority of moronic drivers. It seems to me a somewhat political issue: should pedestrians vulnerability be a part of their individual responsibility or should the state intervene? As a pedestrian I simply wait for a safe time to cross a road. Just like Dave Prowse taught me nearly 50 years ago.
The new rules are the way it was taught to me in Northern Europe. It doesn't cause any issues and if anything, teaches drivers to be more attentive. Do I look before crossing the road? Of course, but you can walk out onto any crossing and expect the car to stop for you.
That last sentence is one of the major issues with such a rule really. I'm sure it won't take long for someone to use it against some driver for compensation.
I'll leave my comment up, but obviously I realise I wasn't thinking straight this morning, and had totally mis-read and misunderstood the topic in hand. Sorry, folks. Original Comment: One 'dodgy' aspect I can see, is: there's a dual carriageway (actually 70mph, but most people think it's 60, so we won't shout about that too loudly) with woodland / heathland on both sides which are popular with dog walkers. Before, we (yes, I also have a dog) would wait until there was clear space before crossing. But now it looks like we stand by the side of the road, and these cars which are travelling between 60 and 70 mph will have to come to a screeching halt to let us cross? What could possibly go wrong?! But I'm looking forward to cars letting me cross the busy residential road where I live (no pedestrian crossing, because nobody's been killed, therefore one isn't needed. Rolls eyes). How will this work in eg London around theatre district. Cars wouldn't be able to move for all the tourists / theatre goers milling around the streets...
You have misunderstood the proposed changes. The rules only apply to cars turning left into side streets giving way to pedestrians already crossing or are about to cross.
@@zivkovicable Ah, you're right. I don't know what I was thinking. Lack of sleep / coffee whatever.
The new rule is only for junctions - if you're not waiting to cross at a junction the cars can continue and you have to wait for a gap as normal.
@@rachc595 Yes, thank you. I have already been informed of my mistake, and if I could delete my comment I would.
@@zivkovicable The wording does not only apply to cars turning left. It applies to all vehicles, cycles, motor cycles, cars, vans, lorries etc. (all higher in the hieracy than pedestrians). Similarly it also applies to vehicles turning right into a side road. In this scenario no oncoming traffic could cause problems on a single lane each side situation. Unexpected stops by people who know the rule and how about drivers who know the rule overtaking on the right knowing you cannot turn in because a stream of pedestrians are crossing and cant be bothered to wait.
My understanding is that the H2 rules only apply to uncontrolled crossings, zebra and parallel crossings. Any crossing points controlled by traffic lights will remain the same. The Highway Code has specific sections on traffic lights, pelicans, puffins and toucans, all of which say that pedestrians should (not must) wait for the green figure to show before crossing. The DfT consultation on these changes did not include any references to signal controlled crossings. It therefore follows that drivers would not have to give way to a pedestrian or cyclist waiting to cross at signals.
hmm yes we need specific clarification on exiting from roundabouts. It's quite normal that you go to turn into another road and have to wait for something so cars behind should be anticipating an indicating vehicle to stop anyway but from a roundabout that would not be expected. Especially if exiting from the inside lane of a roundabout. I think cars are going to have to have priority from a roundabout unless we want to redesign all the UKs roundabouts.
Really? Curious. Here is completely different. We're well versed in expecting a car leaving the roundabout to stop before leaving. But to be fair, we often have pedestrian crossing right outside the roundabout
@@Daye04 where is "here" this video looks like its shot in wales somewhere to me. Housing looks very welsh.
@@jamesdewitt84 okay? I'm not talking about the video, though. I'm talking here in Norway
The problem with UK roundabout design is the angles, they are designed for fast flow of motor traffic - hence making it hostile to vulnerable road users. In Europe the roundabouts are designed for slow movement.
@@Daye04 This is a british driving channel how was I to know you were in Norway. I've not been to Norway for a while now but my father in law lives in Kristiansund and the rest of my Wife's family lives in Stockholm. Pedestrian infrastructure is much better than in the UK I dont believe anyone would be expected to cross the road so close to a roundabout exit would they?
These changes give the pedestrian and cyclists that are not subject to drink or drug testing the right to rule an area where the main users are. Drivers have to have a test and are subject to and have to abide by the law, this includes having a roadworthy car, Insurance, and not drink and drive, or drive under the influence of drugs, legal or otherwise. This rule change seems to me to be another smart motorway scenario. Common sense has left the room.
This update should come with redesigned infrastructure. For example roundabouts should be designed to slow you down anyways, which they don't really in many cases in the UK, and that slowing down will make people more likely to to give way when they should. Also make continuous sidewalks in cities and villages. This makes it clear that you're crossing space for pedestrians and that you should five way. This isn't some weird new technolgy, but proven systems that have been used for years that can (almost) be copy and pasted.
And giving way like this on points without traffic lights is just normal to me as a Dutch guy. Ofcourse you give way to pedestrians when turning, ofcourse you do. They're going straight and you want to turn so you can wait your turn.
Even better in the Netherlands I think it is written far more clearly. Traffic going straight on the same road has priority over turning traffic. A pedestrian is traffic so no special rules need to be made. These changes just seem far too convoluted to me.
Roundabouts are meant to be efficient free flowing junctions where multiple roads meet , drivers should be able to see traffic on other roads and merge safely into it then progress without having to slow unnecessarily.
Unfortunately, road designers now design roundabouts which cannot easily be seen across , put in actual barriers or excessive signage which obscured advanced observation and reduces the efficiency of the junction
2 years on, it is looks like the simplest solution has been adopted (in my area at least): everybody else ignores the new rules and carries on as we did before
When I took my friend, who was visiting from California, into Manchester city centre, he was stamping hard on the imaginary brake pedal on the passenger side as I was turning left, where a woman was approaching the junction on the footpath. "Man, you would be in so much trouble if you knocked that woman down" he said, but to me It just seemed a normal left turn and I expected the woman to stop at the junction.
Seems like over there it is the drivers responsibility NOT to knock a pedestrian down, whereas here it seems generally accepted that it is the pedestrians responsibility not to get knocked down. That needs to change I think.
No. It’s more like it’s the pedestrians responsibility to not just walk out in middle of the road when there’s a car coming. Bare in mind that roads are for cars…
@@qasimmir7117 Well, you're wrong on two counts there. Firstly under the new heirachy of road users the car driver has a greater responsibility to pedestrians not to cause a collision and, in fact, the pedestrian, being the most vulnerable, bears the least responsibility. Which is not to say the pedestrian has no responsibility, just that other road users have more responsibility to him/her. Watch Ashleys first video - he explains it clearly.
Secondly you intimate that roads are just for cars ( and I assume you mean motor vehicles generally), again, wrong - pedestrians, horse riders, cyclists, motorcyclists, cars, wagons, all have equal rights to use the road (unless specifically prohibited, eg motorways)
This attitude of 'I'm in my car and I'm driving down the road so everybody should just get out of my way' is clearly what the new legislation is trying to change.
What's wrong with pedestrians waiting for a safe time to cross? Would it cause them so much distress to look up from their mobile phones for half a minute?
It rains so much in the UK that I think this is a fantastic rule - why should pedestrians have to get soaked while they wait for traffic - people in cars can keep dry. I also come from a country where this is the norm - and I've never had an issue. Drivers just need to be made aware.
I can understand the concern with rear end collisions when turning in to a junction, but to me as long as you indicate appropriately and the car behind keeps the correct gap there shouldn't be any issues. Obviously people who don't think the gap applies to them will cause problems.
I'm not sure about the roundabout situation though, I feel that is going to case a lot of issue.
if you indicate properly, then the car behind you's failure to keep the correct gap is THEIR problem. if enough of them have to buy new cars for people, the problem might go away.
"as long as you indicate appropriately and the car behind keeps the correct gap there shouldn't be any issues" That's the problem though, that's very much the best case scenario. With the state of many drivers on the road at the moment it is a definite that these factors won't be met in many situations. There will always be inattentive drivers out there and this new rule very much relies on good awareness and forward planning from ALL drivers.
@@SurgeDashcam as i said. If YOU do it right, any crash is the fault of the person behind.
I like this new rule, just because natural selection will be quicker 😅👌
I’ve just got back from New York and found their junctions interesting. The traffic lights will turn green at the same time the pedestrian crossings on the roads to the side turn green, this means both pedestrians and vehicles are told to go at the same time, so if a car wishes to turn left or right, when their light turns green, they have to creep round the corner and give way to the pedestrians crossing. Once the pedestrians have cleared or if there aren’t any, the car is allowed to proceed around the corner going over the pedestrian crossing which still has the green man showing. I found this increased flow for the vehicles but made it mode dangerous for pedestrians. I saw on their news that then are going to increase the penalty for vehicles who hit pedestrians at crossings.
I also thought it was illegal to cross the road when the green man doesn’t show, but literally everyone crosses the road when it’s clear, even if it says stop.
At 03:06 about pedestrian crossings, have you managed to find any clarification on whether rule 21 for pedestrians 'You should only start to cross the road when the green figure shows.' overrides the new rule h2 for road users ?
I am quite concerned about the waiting for pedestrians lark. I can just see that going wrong so often. I think the speed of uptake from people about the new rules will be to slow and accidents will happen in the interim period. I also anticipate a rise in false insurance claims from pedestrians walking out in front of cars for a cash prize.
Pedestrian lemmings
In Victoria, Australia ALL drivers MUST give way to pedestrians when turning. The only exception is at a roundabout where cars have right of way unless there is a pedestrian crossing close to the roundabout. You MUST give way to any pedestrian on, or about to step onto, a pedestrian/school crossing. The only difference between a school and a pedestrian crossing is that you must remain stopped at a school crossing until ALL pedestrians are off the road, whereas you can proceed on a pedestrian crossing once the pedestrian is clear of your vehicle. It all seems to work fairly well but there are many drivers who have either no idea or just ignore the rules.
Personally I prefer the idea of designated crossing areas where we want to give priority to pedestrians. A big zebra crossing gives drivers more warning, but otherwise, if you're exiting a roundabout and stop for a pedestrian, this could catch people out too easily.
We’re British, no point, most people won’t use it anyway and just cross where they want.
this is very similar to the laws in my state. here, there are some critical details you might check on, there.
the most straightforward is that pedestrians must obey traffic control devices. so at a signal controlled intersection, the signal tells who has the right of way. the only point where the crosswalk priority is applicable is if a driver is turning with the green, while a pedestrian is proceeding ahead with the walk. then the pedestrian has priority.
the most critical is we have a rule that specifically says a pedestrian may not step into a crossing until it is safe to do so. the effect of this is if a pedestrian lunges out in front of you and you do all that you can to avoid them, and it isn't enough; then it is considered that the pedestrian made the choice to step into danger and you couldn't have done more to avoid it; in determining fault.
there is also a rule that specifies that any marked crossing and any intersection between roads that isn't marked otherwise is considered a pedestrian crossing. pedestrians only have priority in pedestrian crossings. trying to cross outside a crossing is deemed Jaywalking, and ranges in penalty from doing it at your own risk to risking arrest for doing it.
roundabouts are still rare where I am, and particularly big ones where pedestrians are expected. to me, the clip showing a car exiting from the right lane while the van in the left proceeded on had somebody doing the wrong thing even without the pedestrian.
Another great video and I suspect your subscribers fall into the category of ‘Preaching to the Converted’ and we do all we can to keep everyone safe and not just the vulnerable.
However, I’ve a big concern that this legislation for the lowest denominator will bring carnage to our roads.
My parents taught me to give way to vehicles, in other words they’ll kill you unless you protect yourself and take responsibility for your own safety. Most of the pedestrians you see just blindly walk across junctions without any care to other road users, their own safety or how their selfish lack of thought could lead to accidents.
Safety is a shared responsibility, and these new laws take away the responsibility for pedestrians to look after themselves.
Making a simple easy rule confusing. Cars give way at a junction, but on a normal road they don’t. Pedestrians won’t know if they are coming or going, all of a sudden “some” drivers are stopping to let them cross when for as long as time we have been told, “stop look listen”.
Edit: we have always been told not to signal to pedestrians to cross as we don’t know what other road users are doing. This is basically flying in the face of that.
The first change is how it works in most other countries as far as I know. I'm surprised by how unfriendly the previous rule is to pedestrians. I live in the US, and here pedestrians have priority at all junctions where they don't have a red light or a don't walk light, regardless of road markings. I think a lot of people don't know about this though, and it may be different in some states.
The problem is gangs of youths now think they don't have to look or listen when crossing at a roundabout. I had around 8 youths all dressed in black,(and it was dark), just walk out in front of me, luckily I managed to stop just in time, (I was in the right hand lane of a two lane roundabout). 6 of the youths carried on going, while two stopped. I waited for the two youths to cross, A driver in the left hand lane then only just managed to see the two youths crossing. Very lucky not to have hit any of the youths, because common sense has gone out the window.
In my input if they think they don't have to look or listen before crossing a busy road there basically asking to be hit
Turning pedestrian priority is definitely a good idea (and it works perfectly fine in mainland Europe), but the problem is that it's such a new and radical change *in the UK*. If it serves to reduce hazards, it must be widely publicized. The thing is, in other countries this rule has been the case for nearly a century - the road design in these countries intuitively makes it clear that pedestrians have priority. But in the UK, as I personally see, crossings are definitely NOT inviting for pedestrians. For example, at a normal T-intersection in the UK you would have give-way markings across the road and at the very end of the road (!), plus you would typically have double yellow lines going *around* the corner and a dropped curb for pedestrians. This gives a very clear signal that pedestrians are *entering* the road rather than that cars are entering a space for pedestrians (as opposed to how for example the Dutch use continuous sidewalks). And from what I've seen in dashcam compilations, it's all but clear that this philosophy of "obviously you give way to pedestrians if turning" is completely absent and must be drilled into people's heads...
Good video. Nice to see someone who is respectful to pedestrians and other people.
These are great videos, do you have an opinion on the most effective way to help road users all understand the new changes? I think (speaking as a cyclist) cyclists will be hot on these as there is a perception of them improving our safety, but it's not going to help anything having a cyclist shouting about "the new highway code" hoping it will act as a forcefield if they do something dangerous... And as a motorist, I've been driving for 15 years and i don't think i've checked the highway code since I passed my test...I wonder about TV and social ads or something to get in front of as many people as possible
I fear the public awareness will come after a car driver has killed a cyclist as a result of a motorist not knowing the new rule. Too late then!
I think there should be a mandatory theory test every few years for drivers ... with an ability to do a couple of resits before losing your license, I wouldn't want people to be suddenly an unexpectedly unable to drive.
What scares me is bad weather, night time when they are wearing dark clothes on unlit Streets
Also now the insulate Britain get more power blocking roads
Ashley, thank you for your continued videos, I appreciate the work you put into them.
How do you think the proposed Rule H.2 will work with an urban street with continuous pedestrian traffic, which may leave no gaps for a vehicle to turn/emerge?
It can work the other way. In my local town there are some busy junctions where pedestrians have to wait ages for a gap. I suppose it could be argued that, where there is both heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic, there is a need for a light controlled crossing at that junction.
@@joe909 pedestrian traffic doesn't take up massive amounts of space like vehicle traffic does though so I think from a flow and journey time point of view that it's better for the pedestrians to wait and line up than vehicles.
Ashley, the example you showed of a bloke literally walking into the road without looking at all, using the road like its a pavement...what kind of stupid is that? We now have to be telepathic to predict their thoughts? What happened to stop,look right and left, then step into the road, checking all the time for other road users?
I think we as instructors need specific clarification from the dvsa regarding roundabouts as I can see this becoming extremely dangerous. I was at a mini roundabout this morning where the car in front stopped to give way to a pedestrian who was standing at the left hand side , at the same time a cat approaching from right goes onto the roundabout at pace while the pedestrian is crossing and nearly hit the pedestrian its absolutely ridiculous to apply this at roundabouts. Will be calling my test centre manager on Monday for clear guidance.
As a pedestrian i don't trust drivers to give way because if they hit me I will be injured at best and the car will suffer relatively minor damage at worst.
So even with these rules if a car is indicating to turn into a junction I am about to cross I will give way for self preservation.
These rules appear very similar to our rules (Victoria, Australia).
It makes perfect sense to me that when you are turning onto a new street/road you give way to pedestrians (or anything really) crossing or about to cross said new road/street, thus you should be anticipating it and (as Ashley rightly puts) slowing down and treating it like a give way section. This applies fully to zebra crossings too.
Heavy traffic areas like intersections or sections of continuous road that use pedestrian crossings are usually there because it would otherwise be impossible or unsafe for pedestrians to cross. It should be clear and obvious that when there are pedestrian crossings in place, pedestrians use them as a means to safely cross, BUT always be prepared for a pedestrian to just walk out without thinking and whilst they are in the wrong at least they'll be unharmed.
Roundabouts are a little confusing, but really you just have to apply the same rule as above for turning onto a new road/street: exiting a roundabout is the same as turning onto a new road/street regardless of exit. This also means pedestrians crossing inside the actual roundabout do NOT have priority and should be giving way to cars inside the roundabout (but also again be prepared for them to do the wrong thing).
Remind me - doesn't Victoria also have jay walking rules which says pedestrians should not attempt to cross a road within 80 metres (or some such distance) of a formal pedestrian crossing? - that puts a different slant on pedestrians crossing in built up areas.
@@barrieshepherd7694 I think you may be right.
What I never understand about pedestrian priority is the fact that we, as motorists, do NOT treat trains the way pedestrians treat cars.
Think about it this way, trains VASTLY outweigh cars, and take many times the distance to come to a stop, so cars give way to trains. That makes sense.
NOW, cars, even the smallest cars, outweigh humans and cyclists by several times, and take several times the distance to come to a stop.
So why do cars give way to trains, and but pedestrians don't have to give way to cars? Makes absolutely 0 sense. These new laws are going to be absolutely deadly. As if drivers didn't have enough responsibility to pay attention to on the roads, why can't pedestrians carry some of that responsibility?? Ridiculous that the people who pay the most road tax have the least amount of rights on the road compared to cyclists and pedestrians.
Isn't it generally the case already that pedestrians or cyclists always have priority in hazard situations, even if they do not necessarily have the right of way in that scenario? So if a motorist and a pedestrian are in a situation like, for example, the pedestrian is walking over a crossing when the motorist's light is green, it's still the motorist's obligation to stop or wait?
It's good that proposed changes like these will formally enshrine the duty of care motorists all too often forget, regarding people using more vulnerable forms of transport. It's also good that it will force motorists to be more considerate of other road users, irrespective of whether they already are (or consider themselves to be) consistent, considerate drivers within the current regs.
But the UK has a long way to go. By and large, I don't even see most cars leaving a full equivalent car's space (as a virtual 'box') around the cyclist when overtaking, which is a huge safety risk to both parties.
Decades of poor driver habits will need decades more to be undone, unless the government pushes a comprehensive safety agenda hard and doesn't just filigree the regulations. We don't even get anything like the green cross code or cycling proficiency promoted visibly by the DfT any more, so I don't hold out much hope for the short term.
A drastic redesign of urban road layouts, junctions and roundabouts and their priorities needs to happen. We should probably come more into line with countries like Netherlands and some Scandinavian countries which already do this very well. When I walked around Amsterdam I was impressed by how well the various systems and urban safety measures work, people using various transport modes are far more aware of each other and act accordingly.
Although the crossing at the exit from a roundabout is potentially hazardous, moving the crossing isn't always a practical solution; pedestrians naturally tend to take the shortest route from A to B, and if that involves crossing in a place where there is no marked crossing, they'll do that anyway.
Very true, though one option is to force pedestrians to cross further downstream of a roundabout by installing railings. Of course, you can't always do that, plus there would be the expense of doing so at every single roundabout in the land. But it might be an option at SOME roundabouts.
@@ibs5080 lots of roundabouts used to have then they got taken away even from outside schools.. As u say most Inc me go by how the crow flies...
As registered blind person(very little hazy vision) these new rule do make me feel more comfortable, a couple of points sometimes when vehicle stop for you I understand they may gesture you to cross, but that is an assumption that they can see you. The other point is that crossings with audio are fantastic and I have no problem waiting for them I am in no hurry.
I think the biggest concern I have is other road users; I drive as I was taught, always anticipating and analysing potential hazards - by no means a perfect driver, I just have a higher level of risk analysis/ training. I hate tailgaters, and I fear that those who lack patience will be the ones who struggle and will cause the majority of incidents with this proposed new rule.
Patients!
@@TheMusicianTom Ha! Bet you can’t tell what I do for a job? Work on the brain all the time! Edited, thanks!
When I am a pedestrian, I'd prefer it if the cars completed their manoeuvre while I waited. The vehicles are the danger, so if I wait and allow them to finish their manoeuvre and pass, I then have a (theoretically) clear and safe road to cross. Making the cars stop means I'm having to navigate several hazards as a pedestrian, having to figure out the intention of the drivers and if they're going to follow the guidelines or not. Therefore, I think the cars should have priority so as to clear the hazards more effectively so pedestrians have a safer means to cross. This also means pedestrians have to remain responsible of themselves and pay attention to their surroundings when crossing roads, which becomes even more important in the age of smart phones and listening to music while walking.
I see this as the most logical way to be as well. Even with the new rules when I'm walking I'd feel safer with the car wanting to turn gone instead of waiting for them to see me
The rule to give way to pedestrians waiting to cross instead of placing foot onto the crossing is common sense. No pedestrian would set foot when a car doesn't seem to slow down to give way, no one wants to die. And if the pedestrian was already crossing, the car should slow down or stop until the road is clear, obviously.
I did some testing on the left turn rule yesterday, a pedestrian walking towards the junction I’m turning into, I did my usual procedure before the turn, nice and slow, the pedestrian proceeded to cross only for the driver behind to give me a blast on the horn and gesture with his hands! I can’t see me having a problem with these rules but I can see the majority having big issues! Red mist will be present!
Exiting a roundabout and you’ve got a boy racer or somebody up your backside won’t be happy when you slow and stop for what they think are unnecessary stops, brake checking if you like. Somebody overtaking on a single or dual carriageway and impaired pedestrian walks out is a disaster waiting to happen.
Most roundabouts in the UK are specifically designed for higher speeds than the "continental geometry" ones you get elsewhere & rarely in the UK. You're asking for trouble to make motorists give way to pedestrians on the exit of the roundabout unless it's rebuilt to geometry to ensure lower speeds. Would cost tens of billions to rebuild thousands of roundabout across the UK. Never going to happen during this half of this century.
@@ahdhudbbh This. 1000x this. Every roundabout Ashley shows is just garbage. The whole point is that you HAVE to slow down, but they make them either two lanes or just a painted dot in the middle and then wonder why they aren't working.
Generally, it seems to work well in Canada. Drivers there slow down if it appears a pedestrian is about to cross the road. Very safe and courteous, especially for the elderly and infirm.
At light controlled crossings, as here, each type of road user waits their turn.
We need to anticipate and drive using a feather on the accelerator!
What I'm unsure of is if this rule only applies to pedestrians crossing at designated crossing points? What I mean by this are places with dropped curbs, tactile paving etc. At the moment it sounds like I could be driving down a suburban road and I would have to give way to any pedestrians that wants to cross at any point on the road.
no this is not the case, it would be at any and all official crossing points like you state. most junctions already have these in place, and typically if in the middle of the street there would usually be an island, or an official crossing painted.
It only applies when you are turning into or out of junctions, I don't believe there has to be a dipped kerb or anything and hopefully they put in a exemption for junctions where the ped crossings are already light controlled or that would be counterproductive.
If a pedestrian, walking the same direction I am cycling (back to me), steps into the cycle lane at the last second and I hit them am I now at fault even though they did no checks and caused the collision? The rule that pedestrians can use any part of the road system seems to be a silly one. Keep every as separate as possible
Yielding to pedestrians crossing the road you are about to turn into/from or exiting/entering a roundabout is standard practice in other European countries, and there shouldn't be any issues there. Although, in other countries these tend to be marked crossings (Zebra markings on the road with signs, in Finland) where there is a pavement or multi use path. The rules in the roundabout are slightly different (usually you cannot exit from the inside lane) and multi lane roundabouts are a bit rare. I can see how yielding to pedestrians on a roundabout with UK rules might cause many minor rear end colissions / close calls. If you'd give priority to pedestrians crossing or wishing to cross any marked (similar to zebra) uncontrolled crossing, you could mitigate the potential issues at roundabouts by slightly moving the crossing, or by removing some crossings (given, there is an alternate path).
I think it would be crazy to yield to pedestrians (who have red light) in traffic light controlled crossings. What's the point of having traffic lights if some road users are not obligated to obey them.
Not from UK, but I think the proposed changes would work quite nicely (benefitting pedestrians, which we all are), if there is clear and loud education about the rule changes before they take place. Also, additional road markings (crossing markings) and signs (crossing signs) may be helpful
"What's the point of having traffic lights if some road users are not obligated to obey them." Because traffic lights/signalled crossings are there to control cars and to give pedestrians (read: people in their natural habitat) a safe way to walk around as they have done for thousands of years before cars arrived and made the roads more dangerous.
People walking are not 'vehicles' and, while they shouldn't wilfully cause danger to others, the law should definitely be heavily slanted towards giving maximum freedom and protection to them. If that means slightly inconveniencing other road users, so be it.
Pavements & roads…natural habitat? I can’t quite agree with that.
Progress happens, some good, some bad, not always balanced.
Roads and crossings have been designed with a particular set of rules and behaviours in mind. Changing the rules, thus affecting behaviour, without also paying attention to the design breaks the balance.
Always nice if you’re not the one being inconvenienced.
I don't think pedestrians will feel safe in the knowledge that they have right of way when crossing, so you will have a stalemate situation where the pedestrian does not cross until it's clear of traffic.
This is so crazy to me as a German. We already have this kind of priority and I would say it works very good! :) It forces you to be aware of your surroundings (both, drivers and pedestrians, etc.) and makes it feel like the road infrastructure is not only there for cars, but like cyclists and pedestrians are part of it, too. And as a pedestrian or cyclist you are still not allowed to cross a road when your light is red! Police can even give you points for that on your license or - if you do not have one - it can prevent you from getting one if you were caught too often as it deems you unfit for driving. When I had driving lessons, my driving instructor always said "first: look out for pedestrians and cyclists. Then: look out for cars and a potential gap" when making a turn. Applied this to driving in the UK, too, as I was unaware that this kind of priority is not the case there, and it turned out well and no one minded me doing this! However, I am glad no one ran me over while I was crossing roads in the UK as a pedestrian!
3:20 that woman just broke the new law about opening her door.
I think this new behaviour will infuriate and confuse drivers around the ones obeying the rules. This might cause dangerous circumvention tactics e.g. overtaking/undertaking where it is not safe.
I’ve always given way to pedestrians waiting to cross at normal junctions, have done so for many years. Mind you I’m not so sure about when exiting every roundabout though, but have done on occasion when it’s safe to do so. I will give way on the approach to roundabouts, again if it’s safe to do so. As regards traffic light controlled crossings, surely the pedestrian should abide with the the green (beeping)man for go and red man for stop.
@Ryan yes, I agree on that point.🙂
Looking at all the other changes they want to make, they all make sense apart from this one. I disagree with you that it's a good thing amd that "if you use slower speeds and caution you control the situation but not so. You can't control others actions. The cars behind might not see the pedestrian that you are stopping for if they are hidden by a building or further round a corner. Like I've seen other comments here state, this may happen on a national speed limit Road and I'm sorry but if a car suddenly becomes and obstical on that road it does pose a very real threat of an incident. Finally my biggest issue with this is calling a pedestrian a road user, but many pedestrians (children, non drivers etc.) will lack any proper training or knowledge to understand why a car may stop for them, thus leaving the car that has stopped an obstruction for even longer. Any way you look at it, it's an increased hazard to the current method.
I would tend to agree with this one. Firstly, I never seen any Government advertising at all on these changes. I only learnt about them when watching the "This Morning" programme on TV. So I doubt many will know about the changes.
As an example I was turning right into a side road and an adult with a couple of kids from the local infants school was planning to cross the side road. I stopped, with my indicator flashing. A car pulled behind me. The lady with the children started to wave me past but I shook my head and indicated to her to cross. Whilst this incident probably only lasted 10 seconds it indicated that she was either unaware of the new rules or didn't trust that I knew them.
On another occasion I was exiting a side road turning right on to a main road and a Blue Meanie (Parking Warden) started to cross my path, left to right. She had already stepped in to the road before she saw me and stepped back to the pavement when she did see me.
As I approached her I stopped and waived to her to cross. As she walked past she thanked me and I said, " I have to now, new rules". Her response was "Oh, is it?"
Just goes to show!
I think on busy road with people turning left or right from a main road to a side road could be problematic. Especially at busy times. If a large ammount of people are crossing and you can't turn in to the road you likely to block the flow of traffic.
Has anyone thought of the wider implications of this?
I'm just thinking of groups such as Insulate Britain!!
A group of people constantly crossing back and forth across a busy junction quite legally!!!
I can see it coming.
They could already do this as you have to give way once someone is on the crossing...and there could always be someone on the crossing.
I mean...what's a protest if it doesn't get peoples attention?
If there are actually so many people doing that that traffic throughout the country is at a standstill it's probably already too late to fix the environmental issues.
At least they would have to put some effort in. If someone wants to protest something by running back and forth across a crossing all day might be a good system to see how important their issue really is. Put those lazy IB protesters sitting down to shame.
@@woutervanr Or more likely it will result in pretentious middle class protesters demanding the working class bend the knee getting ran over
@@quillo2747 This whole class thing you've got going on in the UK is really holding you guys back. It's like you thought there wasn't enough discrimination and made up an extra category to put people in.
I don't like the give way to pedestrians waiting to cross side roads part at the very least. In my commute I have to go into a side road. However the path that I would have to cross has an almost constant flow of pedestrians meaning it would be impossible to do this without waiting for atleast a couple minutes on a very busy road that is stop start traffic at this time. So this would completely ruin the flow of traffic here when instead, some pedestrians can wait a couple of seconds for me to get through.
I can also see how the roundabout could cause rear-ends, especially if an inexperienced driver does the 'correct' thing according to the changes could lead to someone who is less experienced/distracted to rear end them. It could also lead to a lorry having to completely block the roundabout if they are doing the 'correct' thing, again ruining traffic flow.
In the case of the roundabout you showed there was another car coming round on the left, the pedestrian could easily have been hidden from them by a car on the right.
The Madness is Everywhere.
The road is for vehicles.
Vehicles have priority.
More people will be injured or killed.
Personally, I am quite happy about the new changes. I failed a few mock tests because I gave way to pedestrians or cyclists. I would just rather have them out of the way and safe on the pavement (or in front). I do agree about the point regarding the roundabouts. All you have to do to never have an issue, though, is look up from the car in front's rear bumper and look ahead to what's going on. I know that will be a challenge for a fair few drivers.
The problem is the car behind you not seeing a pedestrian and not being ready for you braking hard to avoid an idiot who doesn't understand braking distances
What do you do when there are people standing by the kerb or crossing yakking on their phone with no intention of crossing and oblivious of their surroundings.
I fully agree with the change. I am one of the people who responded to the consultation and expressed concerns about how to tell if a pedestrian wants to cross the road as sometimes people stand near the edge of the road even when they are not intending to cross. But as you say if you drive sensibly and cautiously then it shouldn't be an issue.
Shouldn't it just be the motorists responsibility to stop if a pedestrian looks like they are going to cross without checking, rather than giving pedestrians the right of way completely? Given the risks it poses to higher speed limit roads when being blocked because of giving way or roundabouts? As a motorist you should 100% be aware of any potential hazards such as pedestrians approaching a road to cross. But I also feel responsibility should be given to the pedestrian to decide when it is safe to cross, or to find a controlled crossing.
I'll definitely be picking up a rear add-on dashcam. Working in the community and driving around during working hours I can see myself getting rear-ended giving way to pedestrians crossing a side road no matter how slow I approach let alone coming off a roundabout. The biggest problem will be people just not being aware of the changes.
Investing in a front & rear dashcam is the smartest thing you could possibly do right now.
Don't get me wrong; I agree with the principles and concepts behind the new changes. However, the rules & recommendations-as they are currently worded-are going to be interpreted and actioned upon by users of the highway in their own ways, increasing risk across the board and creating a scenario where "good" drivers are at more risk of being affected than ever before.
I predict a lot of cars getting T-boned when turning right across traffic when pedestrians just step out and to avoid that the councils will have to spend a lot of money putting up barriers.
It would help if pedestrians & cyclists have the same responsibility as car drivers. Seeking eye contact and communicating a plan. Even the "passive aggressive" preemptive thank-you wave is a helpful signal, as you know what they are doing and you can factor it in. My concerns are mostly around phone zombies, and pedestrians/cyclists with music on that are less aware or not aware of their surroundings. I will do my best to factor that in, but what about a misguided sense of safety of "they will always stop so it doesn't matter" on the part of the weaker road user?
Yup. When people see oncoming cars turning across them they expect that car to complete the manoeuvre and therefore make no plan in case they stop because a pedestrian popped out from behind a wall on the road they were turning into.
Demonstrating the new rule using junctions with plenty of visibility is nice but not representative of all driving situations.
The reply here would be ‘why did you start turning across if you didn’t know the road was clear’ but situations change.
All road users which include pedestrians have a duty of care to all other road users and highway code advice or rules do not give right of way. I agree with Ashley prority is given not taken. There needs to be much better road user education, thanks to the present goverment for closing the public information office in 2010/2011, there is no government department to publicise/educate the public on any law changes.
This new rule should've come with redesigned infrastructure anyways. Just saying that pedestrians have priority is nice, but that's not magically going to make it so.
@@DuskHorizon "It would help if pedestrians & cyclists have the same responsibility as car drivers." Someone needs to reread the new hierarchy of road users rule.
So a line of pedestrians in a high street for instance would just stop the road altogether??
The roundabout scenario looks outright dangerous.
So a dual carriage would be stopped for pedestrians as well ?? Bonkers !!
STOP LOOK LISTEN thats what we were taught, Its worked well enough for decades lets go screw up everyting the last 4 generations have taught each other and make complicated "whos at fault" situations. well done.
It’s worked “well enough” ... apart from all the people who get hit by cars every year. There’s nothing wrong with trying to make everyone safer
@@audigex clearly they didn't stop.look and listen did they. FFS
I think this will really cause issues, especially roundabouts. Canada have already had serious issues with this as they introduced this some years ago.
However your advice about slowing down in anticipation of a problem is definitely going to help the situation.
I give it about a year before they backpedal on this having realised that nobody bothered with it. Well, apart from the sort of person who watches these videos, but we’re in a very small minority.
I think it will lead to better improvement in drivers skills, at the moment a driver can tell all sorts of stories why they ran down a pedestrian crossing a side road.
only when an an mp is affected will it be abolished.