New rules of the road ‘will lead to greater conflict’

ALMOST TWO-THIRDS of motorists think the Government’s new “hierarchy of road users” will cause more conflict on the roads.

The rules were introduced at the end of January as part of changes to the Highway Code and state that those who have the potential to cause more harm on the road have the most responsibility for avoiding a collision.

In practice, this means drivers of lorries, buses, vans, cars and motorcycle riders need to be more aware of pedestrians and cyclists. It also introduced new recommendations for who has priority in certain situations and where vehicles should be positioned on the road.

Road safety charity IAM Roadsmart surveyed motorists and found 59 per cent believed the new system will cause more conflict on the road, rather than make them safer.

Just six per cent said things would improve. Under the new rules, pedestrians have priority at junctions, with drivers turning into or out of them having to give way to those on foot.

Of those surveyed, 54 per cent said this would cause more conflict.

Neil Greig, of IAM RoadSmart, said: “It is concerning to see the number of motorists who believe the new rules implemented in the hierarchy of road users will cause more conflict, rather than less.

“The changes to the Highway Code are a reminder to all road users to behave responsibly with a respect for each other’s safety.”

He added that an information campaign from the Department for Transport should add clarity but noted: “We would urge the DfT to be more realistic about the impact that simply changing a seldom-read document will have on the behaviour and safety of road users and instead roll out more intensive and timely campaigns to build awareness and confidence in the new code.”