Majority of drivers unaware of Highway Code changes, new study suggests

Majority of pedestians either unaware or suspicious too.  I went out four times this morning, twice in my car, twice on my commuter bike. In total I stopped at junctions five times to allow pedestrians "straight on" priority, and they stared at me like I was insane.

Vertu Motors wrote:

only half of drivers surveyed were aware that the national speed limit on the motorway is 70mph.

Only 38 per cent said they knew to leave at least a two-second gap between their vehicle and the one in front.

I'm very aware that driving standards have been declining for decades, but, half of drivers not knowing the national speed limit, that's insane.
It's one thing to break rules, but for so many to not even have a clue about the rules when knowing them is a condition of their licence... It's no wonder KSI rates are as high as they are.

I've thought that anyone prosecuted for a driving offence should have to re take their driving theory test? Prove that you at least know the rules of the road, even if you don't follow them. Get a 3 month period in which to take the test, if you fail, you loose you licence until you pass.

If you want a recipe for disaster on the roads it would be for half of the drivers to follow one set of rules and the other half to follow a different set.
It's not as bad as 50% driving on the left and 50% driving on the right, but it's not good.

My personal observation is that since the introduction of the hierarchy the situation has polarised. The good drivers continue to be good, and I think quite a few have changed their behaviour, but the bad drivers have become angrier at having their entitlement taken away.

I'm not sure that I agree with this survey. I still think that when the changes were in the news the majority of drivers understood and gave more space when overtaking. The trouble is that things have gone back to how they were before the changes.
I think the reasons are three fold.
1. the police failed to back up the changes by not prosecuting close passes.
2.the MSM convinced drivers that cyclists weren't 'entitled' to be protected on the roads.
3. Many drivers have a pitiful short memory and have forgotten the messages. Let's be honest many forget the HC the moment they pass.
I was even told by a driver that the HC said that overtaking distance was 'up to' 1.5m. I nearly burst out laughing at that concept. So I guess we can't rule out simple stupidity.

Whilst it would be great if all road users were familiar with the Highway Code, I'd settle for observance of "Don't drive like a twat."

Given motorist's knowledge/understanding of the highway code (particularly cyclist related rules) seemed to be pretty poor, before the changes, the results of this survey are hardly surprising.

Having been severely tailgated through the 20mph limit that has been in place though Knowle since September, and then tailgated down the next 30 section, I took the opportunity to avail myself of the chance to irritate the following driver further by slowing carefully and halting early for the pedestrian waiting to cross at the roundabout. As I clearly should have stopped 5 metres further up the road, it didn't half give the driver a surprise. 

I'd say though that generally, behaviour with pedestrians at junctions and with cyclists has improved, even if it is following the herd for the 50%.

Given the incredible ignorance of the rules of the road from people who drive killing machines, the case for further tests after you've passed the initial one would appear to be compelling.

The changes were highlighted in the media in the weeks leading up to the changes. They were reported especially by the right wing press, mainly to deride the new rules.

Social media was full of it, if only so that people could do some cyclist bashing in the comments.

In other news today:

Bear sh*ts in woods, grass found to be green, and scientists discover that the Pope is Catholic

Commenting on the Vertu Motors research the CEO of RED Driving School, Seb Goldin, told Fleet World..

It hardly matters what dodgy geezer's driving school RED says, as they're the ones advising students: you won't get points unless you hit the b****** cyclist no matter how close you go. While this is true as far as the majority of police officers are concerned, it is a cyclist-hostile way to train future cyclist-killers in Audis and BMWs (nutter drivers are available in other marques)

Quote:

Ultimately, the Department for Transport did announce the launch of a £500,000 publicity campaign to raise awareness (three days before the changes were due to come into effect).

And appear to have done sod all since then...