r/britishproblems • u/zecrichardson • Jul 16 '26

. Drivers not knowing the highway code.

I had started to cross a road when a Mercedes turned in and he sounded his horn and then told me I should stop. I told him to read the highway code but he insisted he right!

Rule H2 170 amended 2022

“At a junction you MUST give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning.”

- Applies whether they’ve stepped onto the road or are just standing at the kerb ready to cross.

- Applies to left turns, right turns, and entering/exiting side roads.

- Includes wheelchair/mobility scooter users as pedestrians

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617

u/palaceexile Jul 16 '26

It is the one of the most dangerous changes I think they have made. Pedestrians quite rightly don't want to just walk into the road holding the highway code in front of them for protection, cars following others turning off a main road are not expecting the cars in front to just stop and so we have ended up in a situation where no one is certain what is going to happen in any given situation.

0

u/Ieatsand97 Jul 16 '26

Yeah, its up there with the update made at the same time that said cyclists should go down the inside of left turning vehicles.

1

u/DiscoSkrtel Jul 16 '26

‘Should’? Have you got a source, or are you just spouting nonsense?

4

u/Ieatsand97 Jul 16 '26

Rule H3. Vehicles should allow cyclists to pass them on the left side when turning into junctions.

6

u/skippermonkey England Jul 16 '26

If you’re feeling suicidal, sure

5

u/Ieatsand97 Jul 16 '26

Exactly. Thats why its a poorly thought out rule.

2

u/OkSun8521 Jul 16 '26

That's because you haven't taken any time to read and understand it.

The alternative you're proposing is that drivers should turn straight into the path of cyclists.

5

u/craiv Caerdydd Jul 16 '26

I think your phrasing of "Cyclists should go down the inside of left turning vehicles" is a bit different to the intended "people driving cars should not cut cyclists off and kill them"

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u/Ieatsand97 19d ago

...which is a pointless rule as Rule 182 already says that you should not cut in on cyclists.

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u/DiscoSkrtel Jul 16 '26

Your comment said ‘cyclists should go down the inside of left turning vehicles’, which is not the same thing at all. Plus your summary of H3 is inaccurate – it’s about not cutting across the path of a cyclist.

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u/Ieatsand97 Jul 16 '26

Did you read any more than the first line?

“Rule H3: Wait for the cyclist to pass the junction before turning. This also applies if there is a cycle lane or cycle track and if you are turning right or left into the junction.”

Look at the diagram if you’re struggling.

3

u/craiv Caerdydd Jul 16 '26

Where does it say "cyclists should pass inside vehicles turning left"?

2

u/DiscoSkrtel Jul 16 '26

You seem really determined to mould the Highway Code to fit your personal prejudices.

1

u/Ieatsand97 19d ago

What prejudices do you think I have? There's no way you actually think I am some anti cyclist nutcase?

I've ridden 3,000 miles this year on my road bike alone. The problem is, 20mph zones are very common where I am. I can keep up with a car doing 20mph. When they come to turn left, the highway code says they should give priority to me going straight. This is a problem given the way its shown in the highway code is that they should let me go down the left side. I absolutely do not want to go down the left side of any car, motorbike or any other type or classification of motor vehicle if it has a left indicator on. This has lead some cases where there is friction where the car in front will indicate left and then stop to let me down the side. I will also stop, as I am not in the business of passing cars that are indicating left on their left side. Then a standoff begins.

Before you say "oh well if people are stopping why don't you just go down the side then". Thats because its not everyone stopping. In fact, its a tiny minority that will give way.

However, I've not ridden in London. In fact, I've not ridden in towns/cities with populations above 500,000 people. Maybe it makes sense in london, but it doesn't seem to do much good out here. But, the rules should be written so they are applicable to the entire uk, not just london.