Change of priorities in Highway Code

The changes will see:

• New hierarchy of road users prioritising pedestrians and then cyclists over other road users;
• Priority for cyclists over cars when cars are turning;
• Pedestrians having priority over cars at junctions plus changes to cyclist positioning to ensure better visibility.

Drivers of vehicles that can cause the greatest harm in the event of a collision will bear the greatest responsibility to take care and reduce the danger to others.

This principle applies most strongly to drivers of HGVs, LGVs, cars, taxis and motorcyclists.

Cyclists and horse rides have a responsibility to reduce danger to pedestrians.

Drivers, motorcyclists and cyclists should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning.

You should give way to pedestrians waiting at a zebra crossing - currently it's only if they are already crossing - and to pedestrians and cyclists waiting to cross a parallel crossing.

You should not cut across cyclists, horse riders or horse-drawn vehicles going ahead when you are turning into or out of a junction or changing direction or lane.

You should give way whether they are using the road, a cycle lane or cycle track.

Do not turn at a junction if to do so would cause the cyclist, horse rider or horse-drawn vehicle going straight ahead to stop or swerve.

You should stop and wait for a safe gap if necessary.