Highway Code

[Rave]

I nearly got run over at lunchtime by some stupid B***h turning right into a side road that I was crossing. Just to make sure I was in the right I thought I'd see if the highway code can be found online. It can, and I was. Thought I'd post it here, it's always good to refresh your memory once in a while.

http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/

Proof that I'm right and she's a tw*t:

http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/16.shtml <---rule 146 point 2.

Rich :¬)

[5lab]

yeah, so if you get run over its technically her fault, however its still a good idea to look out lol

[Rave]

I know matey. With the speed she was going, it wouldn't have made much difference. As it was, I spotted her out of the corner of my eye about half a second before she hit me. Someone on the pavement shouted as well, that probably helped.

Rich :¬)

[Big RICHARD]

The highway code isn't law IIRC.

TBH, I think that 'rule' should be changed. Roads should be for cars, lorries, buses, motorbikes and pedal cycles. Pedestrians should only have priority on the FOOTPATH and horses should be confined to fields or designated exercising areas.

[Allen]

WTF? If pedestrians have already started crossing then they should stop and go back if a car comes flying round the corner?? LMAO! I bet you wouldn't say that if you weren't a driver!

Anyway, most drivers these days don't follow the Highway Code so why bother changing anything?

I agree about the horses though...

[5lab]

highway code IS law

the fact that most drivers dont follow it doesnt affect that. if a pedestrian doesnt want to move out of the way of a car then it is his choice. the car should be travelling slow enough to stop in time for a ped anyways. the law wont be changed. why should people not be allowed to ride their horses on roads? roads are not purely for the use of drivers, and those who believe they are are selfish. roads are a method of getting from a-b, and as much as people are allowed to drive thier cars for entertainment rather than transport. so people are allowed to ride horses

[nichomach]

The highway code isn't law IIRC.

TBH, I think that 'rule' should be changed. Roads should be for cars, lorries, buses, motorbikes and pedal cycles. Pedestrians should only have priority on the FOOTPATH and horses should be confined to fields or designated exercising areas.

I vehemently disagree; pedestrians HAVE to cross roads all the time, and there isn't always a controlled crossing anywhere near. The rule doesn't state that if they haven't started to cross you have to stop and let them past, it's stating that if they've already started to cross (i.e. are already in the road) they shouldn't have to play Frogger cause there's a car coming.

[Big RICHARD]

WTF? If pedestrians have already started crossing then they should stop and go back if a car comes flying round the corner?? LMAO! I bet you wouldn't say that if you weren't a driver!

Anyway, most drivers these days don't follow the Highway Code so why bother changing anything?

I agree about the horses though...

But the speed limits should be sensible enough so that cars don't have to speed in 30 limits. I.E. out of town speed limit 60, unless absolutely necessary. People would be less likely to speed in a 30 limit if the speed limits were done sensibly. By doing this then pedestrians could cross the road safely and wouldn't be surprised by cars turning up a 45 in a 30 limit and expecting them to be out of the way. Pedestrians should also be encouraged to be more careful when crossing roads. (Not that I am saying Rave wasn't here!)

If you'd thought sensibly before replying, you wouldn't have needed to LYAO!

[Geist]

Just give me a T-shirt with "I dont have insurance." printed on the frount and back

Thats the thing tho most drivers dont seem to think it is law or even bother reading the thing...

[nichomach]

But the speed limits should be sensible enough so that cars don't have to speed in 30 limits. I.E. out of town speed limit 60, unless absolutely necessary. People would be less likely to speed in a 30 limit if the speed limits were done sensibly. By doing this then pedestrians could cross the road safely and wouldn't be surprised by cars turning up a 45 in a 30 limit and expecting them to be out of the way. Pedestrians should also be encouraged to be more careful when crossing roads. (Not that I am saying Rave wasn't here!)

If you'd thought sensibly before replying, you wouldn't have needed to LYAO!

1. Cars don't HAVE to speed in 30 limits anyway, and most 30 limits are in populated areas.
2. The rule regarding pedestrians has naff-all to do with speed limits, and everything to do with the fact that a pedestrian has a right to cross the road, is vulnerable while doing so, and as such the onus is on you the driver to avoid hitting them.
3. Yes, pedestrians should be careful when crossing roads but careful won't help you when a car comes flying round a bend at 45+ in a 30 limit, ignoring a pedestrian crossing and nearly kills you. A pedestrian crossing in front of you won't kill you. You hitting a pedestrian because "they should have got out of the way" will kill them.

A pedestrian is, through force of circumstance, as much a road user as youand has as much right to be there, they are just more vulnerable.

[Allen]

But the speed limits should be sensible enough so that cars don't have to speed in 30 limits. I.E. out of town speed limit 60, unless absolutely necessary. People would be less likely to speed in a 30 limit if the speed limits were done sensibly. By doing this then pedestrians could cross the road safely and wouldn't be surprised by cars turning up a 45 in a 30 limit and expecting them to be out of the way. Pedestrians should also be encouraged to be more careful when crossing roads. (Not that I am saying Rave wasn't here!)

If you'd thought sensibly before replying, you wouldn't have needed to LYAO!

What has speed limits got to do with pedestrians crossing the road? Have you ever thought that there is no need to speed? Why do it? If you're in that much of a hurry then leave earlier.

The limits are there for a reason! Have you ever seen what difference a 30mph car and a 40mph car can do to a human body? I have and it's NOT pretty. Limits of 45mph instead of 30mph would cause 100% more times deaths on the roads... now who's not sensible?

Drivers should be more aware of pedestrians and cyclists because they are quite safe in their cars yet pedestrians aren't much more exposed to dangers on the road. And yes, I also agree that they have every right to cross the road. How would we get anywhere otherwise?

[Big RICHARD]

highway code IS law

the fact that most drivers dont follow it doesnt affect that. if a pedestrian doesnt want to move out of the way of a car then it is his choice. the car should be travelling slow enough to stop in time for a ped anyways. the law wont be changed. why should people not be allowed to ride their horses on roads? roads are not purely for the use of drivers, and those who believe they are are selfish. roads are a method of getting from a-b, and as much as people are allowed to drive thier cars for entertainment rather than transport. so people are allowed to ride horses

The highway code is NOT law. The road traffic act is law. Hence highway 'CODE' not, highway 'LAW'!

[Allen]

The highway code is NOT law. The road traffic act is law. Hence highway 'CODE' not, highway 'LAW'!

Do you consider yourself exempt from the rules of driving then whether they are the law or not? Coz you seem to be arguing about this a lot... Seems to me you might not be a safe driver as you obviously don't care much for the Highway Code.

Why do you think the Highway Code exists? To promote SAFE driving! There is such a thing called consideration and courtesy to other road users you know, whether they are cars, lorries, motorbikes or even pedestrians...

[Big RICHARD]

Do you consider yourself exempt from the rules of driving then whether they are the law or not? Coz you seem to be arguing about this a lot... Seems to me you might not be a safe driver as you obviously don't care much for the Highway Code.

Why do you think the Highway Code exists? To promote SAFE driving! There is such a thing called consideration and courtesy to other road users you know, whether they are cars, lorries, motorbikes or even pedestrians...

I abide by the highway code! I don't speed, with the exception of the motorways (which statistically are the safest roads, even though most people speed on the motorway), I show more courtesy for other drivers than most other people. I am arguing that the roads should be for vehicles and footpaths for pedestrians. Designated crossing areas and/or signposting areas which allow pedestrians right of way on the road (IE town centres)would keep everyone happy.

[5lab]

it wouldnt keep me happy. i want to be able to cross any road when i want - im not walking all the way to the end of my street then back up the other side just cos my cars parked over the road

[5lab]

The highway code is NOT law. The road traffic act is law. Hence highway 'CODE' not, highway 'LAW'!

actually, the road traffic act does not entirely cover the highway code - the highway code is covered by

Functions of Traffic Wardens Order 1970 FTWO
Highway Act 1835 or 1980 (as indicated) HA
Horses (Protective Headgear for Young Riders) Regulations 1992 H(PHYR)R
Motor Cycles (Protective Helmets) Regulations 1980 MC(PH)R
Motorways Traffic (England & Wales) Regulations 1982 MT(E&W)R
Motorways Traffic (Scotland) Regulations 1995 MT(S)R
Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999 MV(DL)R
Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts) Regulations 1993 MV(WSB)R
Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts by Children in Front Seats)
Regulations 1993 MV(WSBCFS)R
Pedal Cycles (Construction & Use) Regulations 1983 PCUR
Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 PPVA
Road Traffic Act 1988 or 1991 (as indicated) RTA
Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995 RT(ND)A
Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 RTRAv
Road Vehicles (Construction & Use) Regulations 1986 CUR
Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 RVLR
Road Vehicles (Registration & Licensing) Regulations 1971 RV(R&L)R
Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 R(S)A
Traffic Signs Regulations & General Directions 1994 TSRGD
Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 VERA
Zebra, Pelican and Puffin Pedestrian Crossings Regulations and General Directions 1997 ZPPPCRGD