Recent changes to the Highway Code, aimed at introducing a ‘Hierarchy of road users’, will be affecting fleet drivers, particularly those with light commercial vehicle fleets.
The bulk of the updates to the Highway Code focus on placing those at most risk in the event of an incident higher up the hierarchy. By giving these road users increased right of way, additional protection should be given by those in vehicles.
Those in control of cars, vans, lorries, and buses are likely to cause the greatest harm in a collision involving pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders, or motorcyclists.
Having come into force at the end of January, many drivers are unaware of any update to the Highway Code, or are unsure of what has changed.
Unlike in some other countries, the Highway Code is not a legal document and the rules are not part of UK law. However, many aspects are supported by official traffic laws, meaning drivers can be fined or prosecuted if they are ignored or disobeyed.
A handy downloadable guide is available for free at FleetandLeasing.com, providing fleet drivers with a simply laid-out walkthrough of the updates that will affect them when on the road.
