A new downloadable infographic for fleets is now available to explain the changes to the Highway Code that came into effect this weekend.
The updated Highway Code was introduced on Saturday (January 29) setting out new rules for road users and pedestrians.
While the aim of the changes is to increase safety for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders by asking drivers to give these groups more consideration, there have been some concerns about a lack of driver awareness about the changes. In particular, the Government has come under fire for not doing more to highlight the revisions.
The new resource from RED Driver Risk Management is intended to help raise awareness among fleet drivers, providing a simple but effective way to promote the changes to staff.
RED DRM CEO Seb Goldin said: “We certainly welcome the changes to protect vulnerable road users: in the 12 months to June last year 4,290 pedestrians and 4700 cyclists were killed or seriously injured on UK roads.
“But the Government has been very slow in advising motorists on these new changes, which unfortunately puts emphasis on fleet managers to make sure that their drivers are aware.”
The firm has also issued advice on driving technique too. It recommends that drivers waiting to turn while pedestrians cross keep their wheels pointing down the road and only begin to turn them once the pedestrian has crossed.
This is to avoid motorists who are not aware of the new rules hitting drivers who have stopped and shunting them into the path of pedestrians.
“The issue with the change in junction priority is that it requires all drivers to be aware that they just wait for pedestrians to cross. Otherwise, it could be a recipe for far more rear-end shunts, or disagreements between drivers,” added Goldin.
