Every year sees a flurry of new laws being introduced that are designed to keep us all safer on Britain’s roads. Here’s Theory Test Pro’s guide to the top six rules that every learner driver needs to know:
1. Expect more fines
ETA: Spring 2022
If green lit, councils all over England and Wales will be able to fine motorists for minor traffic offences. Previously enforced by the police, councils will take over instead, handing out fines of up to £70 for offences including illegal turns, stopping in a box junction, failing to give way to oncoming traffic, and more.
It’s worth bearing in mind that councils in London and Cardiff already have these powers – and according to the RAC, have raised a significant amount of money because of them – so expect other councils to sign up.
2. Beware… feral ponies?
ETA: Early 2022
The Highway Code is being updated to include how to safely pass the feral/semi-feral ponies found wandering through the New Forest in Hampshire and Exmoor and Dartmoor in Devon.
The Code will now state the same considerations must be given to feral ponies as they are to ridden horses: Give at least a two-metre gap and to reduce speed to 10mph when passing on the road.
“We agreed such wild animals are more prevalent in those areas which warranted a specific mention.”
• Department for Transport
3. Junk the mobile
ETA: Early 2022
You’ll probably – or should – already know that calling or texting while holding your phone and driving is against the law, and could see six points added to your licence as well as you receiving a £200 fine.
However, activities such as browsing the internet, scrolling through a playlist or playing a mobile game remain bizarrely exempt. Thankfully, the new law will make such feckless activity illegal once and for all.
- For more details about the new law, head here.
4. Prioritise road users
ETA: End of January
If approved by parliament, the Highway Code will soon feature a ‘hierarchy of road users’. Such an unwieldy name simply means keeping more vulnerable road users – think cyclists and pedestrians – safer by prioritising them over vehicles, i.e., you in your car.
Practical examples of the hierarchy in action include:
- Giving way to pedestrians who are waiting to cross a zebra crossing and pedestrians and cyclists waiting to cross a parallel crossing.
- Giving way at a junction to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you’re turning.
- For more details on the new rules, head here.
“A concerted effort must now be made to communicate the changes to drivers … the aim should be to ensure that everyone using the roads understands the new rules, because any confusion is likely to lead to avoidable collisions.”
• Nicholas Lyes, Head of Roads Policy & Public Affairs lead, RAC, on the risks of introducing such wide ranging changes to the Highway Code in 2022.
5. Curb your right foot
ETA: July
If you buy a new car in 2022, you should bear in mind that all new motors from July will have a speed limiter pre-fitted.
These prevent you from exceeding the speed limit based on your GPS coordinates and are able to cut the delivery of power from your car’s engine until you are back under the speed limit, i.e., you won’t find the tech suddenly – and dangerously – slamming on your brakes.
6. Stay off pavements
ETA: TBC
While still not officially signed off, being fined for parking on the pavement is still expected to touch down in 2022. Already illegal in London and set to become law in Scotland from 2023, on-the-spot fines would be handed out to any motorist who mounts the kerb.
We’re actually surprised that banning parking on the pavement is taking so long to approve. Blocking the pavement often forces people with limited mobility, guide dog users and folk pushing pushchairs to step out into the road to get round such selfish parking.
Know Your Code
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Main image © West Midlands Police
Ticket photo by Caspar Rae on Unsplash