Change in the law be careful when turning into a road.

zagfles

Ditzy_Mitzy said:

Strangely, the only issue I've ever had with this rule as a pedestrian involved a couple of cyclists.  They clearly thought themselves above having to give way to anybody!  

Cue the whataboutery...

Teapot55

When out walking I’ve seen people deliberately step onto a zebra crossing in front of a cyclist, even though their bike has been the only vehicle anywhere near at the time. 

turnitround

I would like to know how this is supposed to work in certain situations. I live just past a left hand turn which has traffic lights from a main road and I am opposite a bus stop.  So any driver turning left into my road will have to stop to allow anyone waiting to cross whilst at the same time holding back the traffic trying to get through the lights 

When drivers turn left and someone is attempting to cross outside number 2 they have to give way to the pedestrian. Does that mean the same for those attempting to cross outside next door (number 4), then 6?. At what point are drivers considered 'past' the junction.

At the next left turn 50 yards from my house there is a bus stop about 25 yards after you take the left turn. So drivers  who have turned left behind the bus will need to wait and give way to the many people who cross the road after getting off the bus. But what about the traffic coming up that road from the opposite side, they do not have to give way as they are already on the road and have not just turned the corner. 

I can just see backlogs of traffic and confusion at every junction. The amount of 'road rage' we get at these lights is only going to increase. 

facade

The proposed wording is "At a junction you should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning."

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1041273/the-highway-code-alteration-to-the-highway-code.pdf

Only a MUST is Law, should is advisory, but if you run someone over who crosses because they expected you to stop, you will be In Trouble, and ignoring a should will make a careless driving or similar more likely.

turnitround said:

I would like to know how this is supposed to work in certain situations. I live just past a left hand turn which has traffic lights from a main road and I am opposite a bus stop.  So any driver turning left into my road will have to stop to allow anyone waiting to cross whilst at the same time holding back the traffic trying to get through the lights 

When drivers turn left and someone is attempting to cross outside number 2 they have to give way to the pedestrian. Does that mean the same for those attempting to cross outside next door (number 4), then 6?. At what point are drivers considered 'past' the junction.

Most junctions have a section of dropped kerb in line with the footpath, which I believe is to encourage people to cross there- you can't in reality though as anyone waiting to emerge from the junction is blocking your route.  Maybe with a bit more joined up thinking "they" might start putting the give way lines 2m back from the major road to make it clear that pedestrians are supposed to cross right in line with the pavement.

The proposed wording for pedestrians is "At a junction. When you are crossing or waiting to cross the road, other traffic should give way. Look out for traffic turning into the road, especially from behind you, and cross at a place where drivers can see you. If you have started crossing and traffic wants to turn into the road, you have priority and they should give way (see Rules H2 and 170)."

Whilst it is dangerous to speculate, I think this rule is supposed to make it a little safer for pedestrians, it is dangerous to cross a junction, not only do you have to thread your way between cars waiting to emerge, but it is difficult to tell if an oncoming car 5 or 10 cars back is signalling to turn in, or if the car waiting to turn right into the junction is going to wait for a sensible gap, or career in on two wheels with the oncoming car blowing it's horn.

I wonder if the new rules (and that pavement parking consultation) are really about addressing the "What I want to do is the only thing that matters, I never consider that others even exist" culture

[Deleted User]

facade said:

 head-on.

Just imagine what will happen when pedestrians (and cyclists on the pavement cycle path) feel empowered to continue across junctions expecting cars to give way

The bike lanes in Birmingham have multiple junctions for cars to cross that are CLEARLY marked as give way or even stop lines and I still don't trust them, always slow until I can see just in case. For all the tiresome cliché hate on bike riders/cyclists, cars kill regularly and are incredibly dangerous - assuming a driver will bother to follow the law is a recipe for hospital or the morgue. Ditto red lights, crossings, no entry, one way streets etc

[Deleted User]

Ditzy_Mitzy said:

Norman_Castle said:

Ditzy_Mitzy said:

Strangely, the only issue I've ever had with this rule as a pedestrian involved a couple of cyclists.  They clearly thought themselves above having to give way to anybody!  

I'm surprised you noticed them. When I'm cycling I've had both pedestrians and motorists look directly at me then either walk or drive into my path.

I couldn't fail to notice them, given that I had to jump out of the way.  I also got sworn at, which was nice.  

I was rather nicely told to f-off by a runner who was choosing to ignore the pavement literally 6 inches from him when I complained he was running in a clearly marked dedicated bike lane (it's blue for goodness sake!)

zagfles

Deleted_User said:

facade said:

 head-on.

Just imagine what will happen when pedestrians (and cyclists on the pavement cycle path) feel empowered to continue across junctions expecting cars to give way

The bike lanes in Birmingham have multiple junctions for cars to cross that are CLEARLY marked as give way or even stop lines and I still don't trust them, always slow until I can see just in case. For all the tiresome cliché hate on bike riders/cyclists, cars kill regularly and are incredibly dangerous - assuming a driver will bother to follow the law is a recipe for hospital or the morgue. Ditto red lights, crossings, no entry, one way streets etc

Alanis Morissette could have used that one.