The Highway Code is about to be updated with changes that will become law in Sandbach and across the UK tomorrow (January 29), pending parliamentary approval.

Among the Highway Code updates is the introduction of a risk-based hierarchy of road users, which seeks to protect those most likely to be injured in a collision, being pedestrians, followed by cyclists, horse riders and motorcyclists.

The hierarchy does not remove the need for everyone to behave responsibly – so, someone driving will have more responsibility to watch out for people cycling, walking or riding a horse, and cyclists will have more responsibility to be aware of pedestrians.

Further changes will mean that at a junction, all road users should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which they are turning.

You must still give way to pedestrians on a zebra crossing, plus pedestrians and cyclists on a parallel crossing.

It is also suggested that cyclists ride in the centre of the lane rather than to the left, to make themselves as clearly visible as possible.

This includes on quiet roads or streets, in slower-moving traffic and at the approach to junctions or road narrowing's where it would be unsafe for drivers to overtake.

A further rule places a requirement on drivers to give priority to cyclists when they are turning into or out of a junction, or changing direction or lane, just as they would to other motor vehicles.

In the new rules, cars must leave at least 1.5 metres room when passing bicycles and bikes must remain at least 50 cm from the pavement.

Drivers are being asked to use 'The Dutch Reach' technique to reduce the risk of opening a car door into the path of a cyclist.

The Dutch Reach technique involves using the hand on the opposite side to the door, which physically positions people into looking over their shoulder at the road behind them.

Critics say the government has not publicised the Highway Code changes sufficiently.

A survey by the AA found that a third of motorists said they did not know the Highway Code was being updated.

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