The Government has said it will launch a communications campaign on the imminent changes to the Highway Code as concerns mount over awareness of the revisions among road users.

LeasePlan has said there’s a real onus on businesses to make sure that their drivers are aware of the changes to Highway Code and adhere to them

Pending approval from Parliament, a raft of changes are due to come into force tomorrow, Saturday 29 January 2022. These include giving greater focus to the safety of vulnerable road users through a new ‘hierarchy of responsibility’ announced last summer; which effectively sets out that quicker or heavier modes of travel have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger or threat they may pose to others on the road.

Alongside the new hierarchy, there are changes in seven other important areas, including fresh guidance on the rules when near pedestrians and cyclists. Meanwhile, motorists will be encouraged to adopt the so-called ‘Dutch Reach’, opening the door next to them with the opposite hand so they look over their shoulder, meaning they’re less likely to injure passing cyclists and pedestrians.

In total, nine sections are being updated and there are 50 new or updated rules. The changes will be made to the digital version of the Highway Code this weekend, followed by an update to the printed version which is due to be published in April 2022.

While the Government has confirmed that the new updates are advisory, so non-compliance will not result in a fine, there has been concern that drivers are unaware of the changes and that they could increase road dangers. There’s also been much criticism of the lack of communication over the changes.

The Department for Transport has now confirmed that it will soon launch a communications drive under its Think! road safety campaign and backed by over £500,000 in funding. This will raise awareness of the changes and help ensure road-users across the country understand their responsibilities. The campaign will run across radio and social media channels, with further campaign activity to follow later in the summer.

A Highway Code Communications Working Group has also been established with industry working alongside government to raise awareness.

RoSPA said it was pleased to hear the announcement and hoped that the publicity would be wide-ranging and comprehensive.

Rebecca Needham, RoSPA road safety officer (England), said: “RoSPA recognises that the changes encourage us to respect and consider other road users and their needs, which is very welcome.“There may be a perception among pedestrians that they are not road users or that the Highway Code is a document only for motorists. An education campaign must make everyone aware that the Highway Code is written to provide rules and guidance for pedestrians as well as motorists.

“RoSPA also reiterates that although road user behaviour and attitudes are key in preventing accidents on Great Britain’s roads, the hierarchy that has been introduced, and the supporting rules detailed, will only improve the safety of vulnerable road users if they are supplemented by the appropriate infrastructure measures. For example, on key routes, segregated facilities should be considered to reduce the chance of conflicts between motorists and vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists.”

Meanwhile, the RAC has urged drivers to explore the changes.

Head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said: “These changes to the Highway Code are substantial, so it’s vitally important they are communicated clearly. In theory, they should make our roads safer for cyclists and pedestrians, but unless everyone is aware of them, there’s a risk of angry clashes and, worse still, unnecessary collisions. Nobody wants to be on the right side of the Highway Code changes but in the back of an ambulance because of confusion on the part of a driver or any other road user.

 “It’s vitally important drivers now go online to check what’s changed.”

IAM RoadSmart also said it was crucial that the updates are understood by all and highlighted that road safety agencies had been widely critical of the lack of an official campaign to publicise the changes to date and had pointed out that drivers were otherwise unlikely to educate themselves proactively.

The road safety charity also said that the changes should be of particular concern to employers, whose drivers will risk falling foul of the law or endangering the public unless they account for the new rules in their driving.

“As an employer, you have an opportunity to be the conduit for this important road safety information, by making it part of your ongoing driver training and fleet risk management programme,” said a spokesperson.

LeasePlan UK has also called on fleets to educate their drivers on the updates to the Code.

Welcoming the overall changes, Matthew Walters, head of consultancy services, said that putting the greatest responsibility on those who can cause the most harm in a collision was the right move but without more knowledge, we run the risk of many motorists continuing on as normal, which could lead to a higher level of incidents.

“For this reason, there’s now a real onus on businesses to make sure that their drivers are aware of the changes to Highway Code and adhering to them. Our global ambition at LeasePlan is to have zero serious road injuries by 2030 – and we strongly encourage other companies to get onboard. Business fleet managers should be working with their drivers to improve safety across the team and reduce incidents. This includes thorough training sessions and carrying out regular driving licence checks.”