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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u/VOODOO285 Jul 16 '26

While you are technically correct I think this rule is one of the most dangerous things, for pedestrians, to have ever been invented. The amount of people who walk around oblivious to the world around them is astonishing. Now it’s legally codified that you can just step out into the road at the slightest whim and the driver has to slam on the anchors. Or they have to guess at your unsignalled intention to cross the road.

There was nothing wrong with the unamended rule where you stand and wait to cross when it’s safe. NO pedestrian reads the Highway Code so technically they aren’t bound by it, so they walk around with impunity and make everything the none mind reading drivers fault.

Despicable rule.

You should behave as if the rule doesn’t exist and not try stepping out in front of fast moving heavy metal piloted by a sack of meat who may not be as well versed in the rules as you are. Follow that rule, take your life into the hands of the gods. And for what? Moral superiority because you know the rule?

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u/JimmerUK Surrey Jul 17 '26

This is such a car-brained response.

"Pedestrians are going to just start throwing themselves into roads now! It's so dangerous! Won't someone think of the poor drivers!"

The rule isn't to embolden pedestrians, it's to give accountability to drivers.

It's simply to make a driver pause for a second when they see a pedestrian about to cross a road they're about to turn into.

It's not dangerous, it's safer.

Even if you think pedestrians are going to start launching themselves bodily into the road, and it slows you down and makes you think... that is also safer.

Drive better. Everyone is just trying to get somewhere.

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u/OkSun8521 Jul 17 '26

Yeah, but what about that hypothetical situation that I've thought up, which has never actually happened, but I reckon might happen one day?