A motoring expert has warned that a Highway Code rule introduced three years ago is still widely misunderstood by drivers, potentially leading to fines of up to £2,500. The changes, implemented in 2022, created a 'hierarchy of road users' that prioritises pedestrians and cyclists.
Graham Conway, Managing Director at Select Car Leasing, explained that motorists must give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross at junctions. 'If you're a motorist about to turn into a junction, and a pedestrian is either already crossing the road or is waiting to cross, you need to give way and let them complete their journey,' he said.
Drivers who fail to comply and attempt to turn into the path of a pedestrian could face charges of careless driving, resulting in fines of up to £2,500 and three to nine penalty points. The Highway Code states: 'When people are crossing or waiting to cross at a junction, other traffic should give way.'
The rules also apply to cyclists, who must allow pedestrians to cross before proceeding. Conway added: 'If you’re a driver who ends up remonstrating with a pedestrian who is in the middle of a road that you’re trying to turn into, chances are you’re very much in the wrong.'
