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Planned revisions to Highway Code will highlight danger of close passes and encourage ‘Dutch Reach’ to prevent cyclists from being dooredHighway Code.PNG

Planned revisions to Highway Code will highlight danger of close passes and encourage ‘Dutch Reach’ to prevent cyclists from being doored

Campaigners hail move that will protect vulnerable road users
by Simon_MacMichael
Thu, Oct 18, 2018 00:01
37

Transport minister Jesse Norman has confirmed today that the government plans to revise the Highway Code to highlight the danger of motorists overtaking cyclists too closely, and to  encourage the ‘Dutch Reach’ technique to prevent cyclists being ‘doored’.

The move is among measures aimed at reducing casualties of vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians.

Cycling and walking minister Norman said: “Britain has some of the safest roads in the world, but we need them to be safer still for all – and particularly for cyclists, pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.

“Cycling and walking are increasingly being understood as crucial parts of an integrated approach to issues of health, obesity, air quality and town and city planning.

“But this will only happen if people feel safe on the roads.

“These measures are part of a steady process of improvement and reform designed to achieve just that.”

Joe Irvin, Chief Executive of Living Streets, said: “This is a major victory. When we walk our streets, we should not have to feel endangered by traffic.

“People walking and cycling do not cause road danger, congestion or toxic air levels, and yet they’re the ones who too often pay the price on our roads. Last year, there was a 5 per cent rise in pedestrian fatalities - this cannot continue.  

“A revision to update the Highway Code is needed to make people walking and cycling feel safer, and to encourage more people to choose these cleaner and healthier ways to travel.”

Duncan Dollimore, Head of Campaigns at Cycling UK commented: “Close overtakes and people opening car doors in front of cyclists are not only dangerous, they also put people off riding a bike.

“That’s why Cycling UK has been campaigning for changes to the Highway Code rules for many years, to make the requirements to give enough space when overtaking a cyclist, wait if you can’t, and look before you open your car door crystal clear.

“We’re delighted the government has listened and we hope to contribute to the discussions regarding the amendments required to prioritise the safety of cyclists and other vulnerable road users,” he added.

Highway Code
Dutch Reach
close pass
Simon MacMichael

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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37 comments

Avatar
brooksby replied to RobD | 5 years ago
3 likes

RobD wrote:

I've even recently seen drivers on mobile phones or clearly texting not even bother to try to hide the fact when a police car has gone the other way. Drivers seem to know that unless you crash then the risk of being caught is miniscule.

I was on the bus the other night.  In the bus lane, pulled up next to a line of cars sitting at the traffic lights.

The driver of the car at the front had a big phone held in her right hand, and I could see that she was Facetiming someone (other video call software is available).

When the lights changed, she didn't disconnect, just carried on with her call (I could see because we were driving alongside her for some time).

Drivers seem to know that unless you crash then the risk of being caught is miniscule.

 

Avatar
Yorkshire wallet | 5 years ago
1 like

We shouldn't even need a highway code. Just driving with common sense and consideration covers most things.

People will just read it and forget or chose to ignore because it doesn't fit with what they want to do, when they want to do it.

 

Avatar
don simon fbpe | 5 years ago
1 like

I'll stick to the shared paths where being told that I should have a bell/helmet/hi-viz, or that the dog is under control and doesn't need to be on a lead is less damaging than being doored by a twat who will ignore this rule too.

Avatar
vonhelmet | 5 years ago
16 likes

Given that there is no reason to read the HC after you’ve passed your test, this will basically achieve nothing. At best, it might make a difference in a few decades once the current crop of numpty drivers have hung up their car keys, but even then bad habits will be starting in the new drivers all the time.

Compulsory re-testing every 5 years or so is the only way.

Avatar
turnerjohn replied to vonhelmet | 5 years ago
1 like
vonhelmet wrote:

Given that there is no reason to read the HC after you’ve passed your test, this will basically achieve nothing. At best, it might make a difference in a few decades once the current crop of numpty drivers have hung up their car keys, but even then bad habits will be starting in the new drivers all the time.

Compulsory re-testing every 5 years or so is the only way.

re-testing would solve very little.....its drivers attitude towards cyclists and pedestrians which needs to change. Someone could pass a test every year but still drive totally inconsiderately !

Avatar
vonhelmet replied to turnerjohn | 5 years ago
6 likes

turnerjohn wrote:
vonhelmet wrote:

Given that there is no reason to read the HC after you’ve passed your test, this will basically achieve nothing. At best, it might make a difference in a few decades once the current crop of numpty drivers have hung up their car keys, but even then bad habits will be starting in the new drivers all the time.

Compulsory re-testing every 5 years or so is the only way.

re-testing would solve very little.....its drivers attitude towards cyclists and pedestrians which needs to change. Someone could pass a test every year but still drive totally inconsiderately !

I don’t believe most drivers are malicious. I do think most drivers are incompetent and lazy and stuck in bad habits. They need reminding of the expectations upon them. Besides, considerate driving should be part of good driving education.

Fork lift truck drivers are expected to undergo refresher training every 3 years. Car drivers are never retrained. What. The. Fuck.

 

Avatar
CXR94Di2 | 5 years ago
7 likes

To make it sting, presumed liability for motorised vehicles in the event of incidents.  Works very well in other countries

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