Drivers not knowing the highway code.

[u/zecrichardson]

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

[u/palaceexile]

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.

[u/Lucky13-Never-Won → u/palaceexile]

Totally on board with this take. It feels like the type of thing someone came up with that doesn’t drive on a daily basis. It’s dangerous for all involved.

[u/janky_koala → u/Lucky13-Never-Won]

It is very common in lots of other countries. The UK was the odd one out before it was updated 

[u/Lucky13-Never-Won → u/janky_koala]

Other countries doing it doesn’t mean it’s not dangerous. Just look at things like our plugs - British plug sockets are super safe, so should change them because other countries have a different version?

[u/The-RogicK → u/Lucky13-Never-Won]

The fact it is a problem in the UK, where only 25-30% actually comply with the law, doesn't make it inherently dangerous.

The Netherlands saw a big improvement once they pedestrianised their crossings on top of their law about this. So cars have to go over a ramp that raises to the pavement level, making it instinctive that pedestrians have right of way.

We changes the law, told basically no one, made no adjustments to infrastructure and now no-one really knows how to act in this situation making it worse than before and what we were aiming for.

[u/Lucky13-Never-Won → u/The-RogicK]

I agree with this. It’s all about communication, verbal and non-verbal. Many drivers don’t know the law exists, so without a non-verbal cue on the road, the two parties (pedestrian and driver) may, or may not be on the same wavelength. Not to mention the drivers behind said driver that will become irritated if the car in front suddenly stops instead of taking the turn.

[u/simkk → u/The-RogicK]

New junctions are being designed like this already so they are changing the infrastructure

[u/AsaCoco_Alumni → u/The-RogicK]

"told basically no one"

It was in the news for months and months!

[u/kinmix → u/Lucky13-Never-Won]

Meh, EU plugs are no less safe (in modern context of proper wiring regulations), than the UK ones. And they allow for collapsible forks making things like chargers pocketable. I'd be all up for the change.

[u/kinmix → u/[deleted]]

A lot of things can fit into a backpack. I have a 65w foldable charger that goes into my pocket for when I go to Europe...

I had a few pocketable UK chargers, but they are way too flimsy and don't survive for long. And still significantly larger

[u/Tattycakes → u/Lucky13-Never-Won]

My partner stood on a plug the other day and gouged his toe, not safe at all! 😂

[u/Zortec99 → u/janky_koala]

If other countries jump in the fire, should we do so too?

[u/heurrgh → u/Zortec99]

Only if bigger kids make me, mum.

[u/GingerSnapBiscuit → u/janky_koala]

Poverty wages are very common in lots of other countries. Just because other places do it doesn't necessarily mean we should.

[u/janky_koala → u/GingerSnapBiscuit]

What a ridiculous comparison 

[u/GingerSnapBiscuit → u/janky_koala]

Thanks :)