Why drivers' ignorance of a key law change is potentially lethal for pedestrians – Alastair Dalton
Too many drivers are unaware of legislation designed to increase safety for those on foot
It’s an irritant to cyclists, an injury hazard to pedestrians and potentially lethal to runners – and I’ve experienced all three. Four years ago, a change in the law gave new priorities on the road to those on foot and on bikes.
But many behind the wheel seem to remain ignorant of it, providing the latest illustration of motorists eroding the rights and road space of others. It’s simple, as the Highway Code states: “At a junction you should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning.”
Did you know that? As a driver, do you scowl as a pedestrian crosses the road in front of you while turning into or out of a side road? Or as a pedestrian – as most motorists also are – do you gingerly cross such junctions, waving at drivers to thank them for stopping to let you go ahead?
Do you even avoid routes that take you past busy entrances, such as to retail parks, scared that you will be unable to safely cross the stream of vehicles coming in and out? Well, you shouldn’t have to do any of these things, because the Highway Code now clearly states drivers should give way to pedestrians in those situations.
My encounters with angry motorists
As a pedestrian, I assert this right by being bold – but not foolhardy – and striding across the road to effectively challenge vehicles to give way. To emphasise the point, I give drivers a thumbs up to indicate they are doing the right thing, rather than raising a hand, which could be interpreted as appreciation for doing me a favour.
Many motorists seem happy to give me priority anyway – whether they are aware it’s the law or not – but others grimace, look angry, or even stop to remonstrate.
One driver was astonished when being enlightened after he continued turning despite me crossing, while another claimed he didn’t have to give me priority because I hadn’t started to cross.
If it’s bad for pedestrians, it’s a nightmare for runners. When out with my running club in Glasgow, fellow members are understandably wary of running in front of cars as they cross junctions, so they slow their pace or stop, which they should not have to do. But the impact of a collision at the closing speed of a runner and vehicle does not bear thinking about.
Stopped by the police
Meantime, as a cyclist, I have extra rights and responsibilities under the law change. If going straight ahead at a junction, I have priority over vehicles turning into or out of the side road (unless signs indicate otherwise). However, like drivers, I must also give way to pedestrians crossing the side road.
I’m constantly having to tell pedestrians this as I slow to let them go first. But it also led to a driver behind me honking their horn, ignorant of the law and clearly impatient to get on.
While that motorist should have known who had priority, as a driver myself, I absolutely get the different mindset we seem to adopt when behind the wheel, wanting to complete our journey as quickly as possible.
Last week, I was stopped by the police – for only the second time in my life – this time for edging through a pelican crossing in a slow-moving queue of traffic as the lights were changing from amber to red. That was a wake-up call for someone who sticks to speed limits and other traffic laws – especially as I’ve chastised others who don’t.
I think most drivers are careful, and respectful of others on the road. The problem is that many appear to simply not know about the law change – and I think the lack of publicity both when it took place and since is a significant factor.
Pavement parking is illegal
The same goes for pavement parking, forcing vulnerable people onto the road to get past, which has been illegal in Scotland for nearly three years. Double parking and parking beside dropped kerbs – essential for wheelchairs and pushchairs – is also banned, and yet I see it flouted daily in Glasgow.
Equally heinous, in my opinion, is parked vehicles blocking cycle lanes, especially those segregated from the carriageway to increase rider safety and hopefully encourage more people to ride.
There’s a road in the west end of Glasgow where I become irritated every time I cycle there because its cycle lane has become what looks like a convenient place for entitled residents to leave their cars because they can’t be bothered to park in their driveways.
Delivery driver ‘not bothered’
Some delivery drivers who seem to think cycle lanes are optional features they can ignore are even worse, forcing cyclists out into what can be heavy traffic.
To my amazement, I came across one on Friday just round the corner from a traffic light junction who had both parked on the kerb – despite metal bollards to deter that – and across a cycle lane. The lane also had a solid white line, which means you must not park there, as the Highway Code emphasises in bold capitals.
By the way, it also advises that parking on cycle lanes marked with broken white lines is only permitted if it’s “unavoidable”, which I think gives far too much leeway.
When I pointed out to the driver that they were potentially endangering cyclists having to suddenly pull out onto the carriageway after coming round the corner, they said they were “not bothered” and their only concern was for the person to whom they were making the delivery. Says it all.