The Highway Code is something that everyone should be aware of and not just motorists. The Highway Code outlines the rules and guides for using the roads safely for all road users, so it is vital to protect the safety and wellbeing of motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, and anyone else that uses the roads.
A Recent Study
Personal injury claim specialist, National Accident Helpline carried out a study of 1,000 cyclists to see how well they knew The Highway Code and the proposed new changes that are set to provide greater protection to vulnerable road users, particularly cyclists. The survey revealed that 41% were not aware of any potential changes to the Highway Code and 51% of cyclists that were quizzed on the code got their answers wrong. In addition to this, 56% of 18-24year-olds gave wrong answers when demonstrating knowledge of The Highway Code.
Lack of Knowledge Creates Danger
It is clear that knowledge of The Highway Code is not as strong as it should be and this could be endangering all road users. The Highway Code only works when everyone is aware of the different rules and guides for safely using UK roads as all it takes is one cyclist to not know the rules to endanger themselves, other cyclists, motorbike riders, pedestrians, and motorists.
Cyclists at Risk
The UK roads can be particularly dangerous for vulnerable road users like cyclists. The study found that 46% of respondents had been involved in an accident and even a minor accident could have life-changing consequences for a cyclist. If you are ever involved in an accident that was not your fault, you will want to make a personal injury claim to receive compensation that can help you to recover the damages as a result of the accident.
Legal Issues
Safety is obviously paramount, but cyclists should also be aware of The Highway Code in order to avoid fines and legal issues. You could be committing a criminal offense without realizing it, which could result in significant legal problems that have an impact on every aspect of your life.
Brushing Up
This is why all road users should brush up on The Highway Code, especially when proposed new changes are being made. These potential changes actually benefit cyclists, including introducing a road user hierarchy that gives priority to vulnerable road users.
The Highway Code plays an incredibly important role in helping to protect all road users. Unfortunately, it is clear that not everyone is up to date when it comes to the code and this is particularly troubling when so many cyclists are unfamiliar with parts of The Highway Code as such a vulnerable group. The UK roads can be dangerous for cyclists, so it is vital that they know the rules so that they can protect themselves and other road users as well avoid legal issues.