Changes to the Highway Code

[whole diary]

[Marlburian]

Almost four years later, I still have my doubts about motorists deferring to pedestrians WAITING  to cross a road at a junction. Yesterday I was driving behind another motorist who suddenly stopped on a mini-roundabout to allow someone to cross the road. I ws driving slowly and had left a good gap between my car and his, so was able to stop in time, but ...

(A few miles later, I stopped in a village to buy a newspaper, parking  beyond the shop and walking back, then, some hours later, driving back past the shop. On all three occasions there were pedestrians crossing the road obliquely, to the extent they couldn't see traffic approaching them. Reminded me of decades ago when I used to cycle along Marlborough High Street, a very wide road with cars parked either side and in the middle; I could count on someone walking across at an angle.)

[infoman]

When I made a trip to Australia,I recall how motorists gave way to the pedestrians on all road junctions.

[CyclingSid]

Changing the Highway Code, regrettably, is unlikely to change behaviour on its own.

For most people the Highway Code is something people "mug up on" for the driving test, and never look at again. How many people have a copy of the new Highway Code? When did people last look at the Highway Code? A possible Graham poll?

[Chris from Nailsea]

In France, where I have driven a car, "... when pedestrians express the wish to cross at a pedestrian crossing, they have priority, any vehicle must let them pass."

See https://www.onisr.securite-routiere.gouv.fr/en/node/497

In the UK^▸ (United Kingdom), the full updated Highway Code is available online, at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code

[Hafren]

Changing the Highway Code, regrettably, is unlikely to change behaviour on its own.

For most people the Highway Code is something people "mug up on" for the driving test, and never look at again. How many people have a copy of the new Highway Code? When did people last look at the Highway Code? A possible Graham poll?

A driving licence is a strange thing, compared to other forms of licence.

It requires a significant amount of training, and the person is then in possession of a licence, which allows them to be in charge of a vehicle which could do a lot of damage if used incorrectly. There is also a significant amount of law around driving, with changes every so often.

Now in most areas like this, there is a requirement for Continuing Professional Development. A driving licence isn't so different from these, and yet it's just seen as such an everyday skill or right that there isn't the same requirement to keep up knowledge and understanding. Indeed, every so often I see clickbait to articles about how drivers are "only just realising" something that they really should know if they are on top of their game.

Perhaps there should be more of an effort to ensure drivers are up to date with changes, and are actively aware of things. It could be as simple as providing an annual update, requiring acknowledgment, or a simple theory re-test every X years. I don't think it would be popular, given that driving is often seen as a basic life skill and right (there would be more than a few "I've been doing it for 30 years and not had a crash" comments) but at the same time I'm very aware that a driver is able to wield a lot of damage if they don't know what they're doing, and really ought to be aware of what they should be doing! Perhaps it should be a condition of insurance, and paid for by the insurer, on the basis that CPD may reduce the total cost of payouts!

It happens in a small way - for example sending some on Speed Awareness courses. But that's more reactionary than 'normal' CPD!

Edit: I don't drive. Maybe this already happens and I just haven't noticed!

[GBM]

Professional drivers (bus and wagon) have to take a Certificate of Professional Development every five years.
Five day courses over the five years to ensure that certificate is valid and up to date.
No certificate (or invalid) means no professional job!
Generally at least one course covers road traffic signs and situations.