UK drivers over the age of 50 are being urged to update themselves on the Highway Code as a number of rules have changed since they passed their tests. This could result in fines, points on the licence and even dangerous driving.
The Highway Code is a set of rules and guidelines aimed at keeping all road users safe while out and about. A number of changes to the Code have been implemented in recent years, but experts have warned not enough people are aware of them.
According to Age Co, which is owned by Age UK, one in five drivers over the age of 50 admit that they have not revisited the Highway Code since passing their tests. This could mean some motorists on the road are decades out of date with these important guidelines.
As reported by LancashireLive, among the most commonly misunderstood rules is the Dutch Reach rule. It is one of 11 rules that were added to the Highway Code in 2022.
The practice was previously common across Europe and encourages people to open vehicle doors with their opposite hand to avoid injuries to passing cyclists. This is because the movement forces their body to turn towards the back of the car, allowing them to see if any oncoming traffic is there.
Age Co said “almost half of the respondents said that they weren’t sure about this one”. Among the updates made in 2022, was one that stated drivers must leave at least 1.5 metres (five feet) when overtaking people cycling at speeds of up to 30mph, and giving them more space when overtaking at higher speeds.
On its own, the Highway Code is not the law, many of its instructions are backed up by law and so have legal muscle behind them, the RAC says. Those points supported by the law are clearly identified in the document by wording like “MUST”, “MUST NOT”, rather than “should” or “should not”.
Gov.uk guidance states: “The Highway Code is essential reading for all road users, including pedestrians, mobility scooter users, cyclists, horse riders, drivers and motorcyclists.”
Age Co adds: “Understanding road safety rules and regulations help keep our roads safe, so it’s important to refresh your knowledge regularly to stay up to date with the latest changes.”
To check the Highway Code rules online, you can visit gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code.
