New rules for all drivers in UK come into force
The fatality rate on Britain's roads is rising in spite of improvements in vehicle safety technology
Drivers of large vehicles must now recognise they pose the greatest threat of harm to smaller vehicles, horse riders, cyclists and pedestrians, according to the updated rule book.Nothing is changing in the legislation - what's being included is clarification. In previous Highway Code editions, drivers were cautioned to be aware of vulnerable road users - now they must put them first.
Cyclists call this move the 'left hook', when a driver overtakes them on the right, then immediately turns left across them. The wording change in the code means now if a cyclist is able to record this move on camera, the chances of successfully prosecuting the driver have just increased. Those enforcements can mean anything from fixed penalty notices, with points on your driving license and fines, through to suspended jail sentences. He is clear that he thinks vulnerable road users being able to submit evidence of bad driving will change driver behaviour.
However, news of the code update earlier in January met with consternation from some drivers on Twitter criticising the Department for Transport for not publicising it more widely. Drivers who say they are concerned about being filmed and reported by over-zealous cyclists should think twice about how they are driving, warns Det Ch Insp Cox, because "dangerous driving is not just a traffic offence - this is road crime".The British Horse Society says there about 1,000 road-based incidents involving cars and horse riders a year
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