The Highway Code has changed. The 2022 updates affect driver priority, pedestrian and cyclist rights of way, mobile phone use behind the wheel and broader use of fines for poor or dangerous driving. The changes will start coming into force on 29 January 2022
Below, we’ve summarised the rule changes, the biggest notable change—likely coming into play in anticipation of autonomous vehicles (AVs)—the law will require ‘those who can do the greatest harm to others to have a higher level of responsibility to reduce the danger’.
Many of the rules in the code are legal requirements, and if you disobey these rules you are committing a criminal offence. You may be fined, given penalty points on your licence or be disqualified from driving.
- Drivers no longer have priority at junctions
- All traffic must stop for pedestrians waiting to cross
- Cyclists can ride wherever they feel safest
- Drivers must wait for cyclists to pass, treat as if motor vehicle
- Mobile phones loophole closed
- Poor driving decisions are more punishable
- ‘Dutch Reach’ is the recommended way to leave your car
