Did you know that over 40 changes to the Highway Code came into effect on 29 January 2022?.

The changes include both updates to existing rules as well as the addition of new text.

David Park, our MD,  advises that ‘Some of these changes are going to have a major impact on how third party motor claims are settled against our clients’.

The main points to review  are:-

*The hierarchy of road users – Those road users who can cause the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger they pose to other Vulnerable Road Users.

*Priority for pedestrians at junctions – When turning into or out of a junction, give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross the road.

*You should not cut across cyclists going ahead when turning into or out of a junction or changing direction or lane – Don’t turn at a junction if doing so would cause a cyclist, who’s travelling straight ahead, to stop or swerve.

*Give way to cyclists and pedestrians – In slow moving traffic you should allow cyclists and pedestrians to cross in front of you.

These rule changes are likely to have a major impact on the way third party insurance claims are settled, making vehicle operators more or automatically responsible for injuries caused by their drivers and vehicles.

You can see the changes in full by visiting the government website here. Aviva have summarised some of the key changes into a useful document here. You don’t need to be an Aviva policyholder to access this and We would recommend that you distribute this to all of you vehicle drivers and operators.

If you would like to discuss any of the rule changes or the impact they may cause don’t hesitate to contact us here.