Motorists across the UK are being issued a stark warning that they continue to dangerously misunderstand crucial pedestrian crossing rules, a full three years after the regulations were updated.
The 2022 Rule Change: A Shift in Priority
The confusion stems from significant amendments to the Highway Code introduced in January 2022. These changes established a new 'hierarchy of road users', placing those most at risk, like pedestrians and cyclists, at the top. The most critical adjustment for drivers concerns pedestrian rights at junctions.
The updated Rule H2 now states that at a junction, drivers must give way to pedestrians who are crossing or waiting to cross a road into which, or from which, the vehicle is turning. This marks a substantial shift from the old guidance, which only required yielding to pedestrians who had already started crossing.
Widespread Confusion and Danger
Driving experts report that awareness of these changes remains alarmingly low. Annie Winterburn of Spot On Driving School highlighted the ongoing problem, stating, "Drivers don't know this. Learner drivers are getting confused about this."
She explained that motorists must now pause and allow pedestrians to cross first if they wish to cross a side road. "This could be dangerous," Winterburn warned, emphasising the risk posed by drivers who are unaware of their new legal responsibilities.
Clarifying the Rules on Crossings
The 2022 updates also reinforced and clarified rules on specific types of crossings:
- Drivers, motorcyclists, and cyclists must give way to pedestrians on a zebra crossing.
- They must also give way to pedestrians and cyclists on a parallel crossing—a zebra crossing with an adjacent cycle route.
- Pedestrians have priority when on a zebra crossing, a parallel crossing, or at light-controlled crossings when they have a green signal.
The Labour Party government, which oversaw the implementation, provided clear guidance, noting: "A parallel crossing is similar to a zebra crossing, but includes a cycle route alongside the black and white stripes."
The Urgent Need for Re-education
With the changes now in effect for over three years, the warning from instructors like Annie Winterburn underscores a critical gap in driver knowledge. The Department for Transport's updates, categorised under rules H1, H2, and H3, were designed to protect vulnerable road users, but their effectiveness is compromised if motorists remain uninformed.
The core message is unequivocal: if a pedestrian is waiting or is already crossing at a junction you are turning into or out of, you must give way. Failing to understand this rule not only risks a fine but, more importantly, endangers lives.
