[Alexander Johnston]

What do Moultoneers think of the uPdated Highway Code 2022? Did the Club respond to the public consultation on this matter?
IMO it’s a step in the right direction.

[Paul D. Rowley]

I suspect it will take years for the new rules to be adhered to by drivers…. unless there are fines issued and cases regularly reported in the media. And even then you will get a percentage of drivers who will not comply. You only have to look how long the campaign against using mobile phones took to have an impact. Even now, when everyone knows the law, you still see people driving while holding a phone to their ears… so I don’t hold out much hope. I certainly won’t be expecting drivers to give way on roundabouts when I’m out on my AM Speed!

[Aynsley Brown]

I understand that in the Netherlands, in any accident between a bike and a motor vehicle, the vehicle driver is automatically deemed to be at fault.
This has created an attitude of greater care and tolerance of cyclists by drivers in order to avoid traffic penalties and increased motor insurance costs.
To get most vehicle drivers to change their behaviour towards cyclists, there needs to be serious legal or financial penalties.
If drivers who flout the law on using mobile phones while driving, had their cars impounded it might get them to change their ways. A bit extreme perhaps, but I bet it would work!

[Keith Hales]

Yes Aynsley, it’s an EU law of presumed liability where the larger vehicle is presumed at fault unless proved otherwise. We should have the same here in the UK; it would also cover the relatively rare cases of cyclists hitting pedestrians, for which special legislation has been mooted.

I don’t understand “cyclists have priority on roundabouts”, does that override the rule that traffic on the roundabout has priority over joining traffic?

Years ago there were government educational ads on TV highlighting behaviour on the roads. We need these back as many drivers appear to be ignorant of the basics. These days I find it hazardous enough driving let alone cycling, due to the very low standards.

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