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24 Spring 2022 F ollowing the introduction of the new Highway Code, there are new rules all drivers must now be aware of. Handling a phone or any other interactive device whilst driving, such as external or in-built satnavs, will be illegal. e rules also apply when stopped at tra c lights, queuing in tra c or supervising a learner driver. Exclusions include using contactless payments at drive-throughs and tolls; when you’re safely parked* (either stopped at the side of the road or in a designated parking); if you need to call emergency services and it’s unsafe or impractical to stop. e penalty for breaking these rules is a £200 ne and six penalty points on your driving licence, but if you passed your driving test in the past two years, you’ll lose your licence. e Highway Code has also been updated, introducing a risk-based hierarchy to improve the safety of road users, especially pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders, by giving drivers further responsibility for keeping these road users safe when sharing the road. ere are three new Highway Code rules introduced to give vulnerable road users, such as children, older adults and disabled people, greater protection when using roads. RULE H1: HIERARCHY OF ROAD USERS e hierarchy of road users places those road users most likely to be injured in the event of a collision at the top of the hierarchy. • Pedestrians • Cyclists • Horse riders • Motorcyclists • Cars/taxis • Vans/minibuses • Large passenger vehicles/heavy goods vehicles By creating a hierarchy, each road user will have the responsibility of reducing the danger for the road user or users above them, for example, cyclists have the responsibility for reducing danger for pedestrians, while horse riders have responsibility for reducing danger for both cyclists and pedestrians. e Department of Transport says that this will create a ‘more mutually respectful and considerate culture of safe and e cient road use that bene ts all users’. RULE H2: CLEARER AND STRONGER PRIORITIES FOR PEDESTRIANS is rule is aimed at drivers, motorcyclists, horse riders and cyclists. e new rule states that when at a road junction, you should give way to pedestrians who are crossing or waiting to cross the road that you are intending to turn into. Priority should also be given to pedestrians waiting to cross at a zebra crossing. Cyclists should give way to pedestrians on shared cycle tracks, and they are reminded that only pedestrians, wheelchair users and the drivers of mobility scooters can use the pavement. Government introduces stricter rules and a revised Highway Code. DRIVING UPDATE INSURANCE INSIGHTS