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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Andrea Lambrou

Lanarkshire drivers could be driven round the bend by new Highway Code rules on roundabouts

Drivers in East Kilbride should pay particular attention to a change in the Highway Code concerning roundabouts.

Nicknamed 'Polo Mint City' because of its - some might say - too many roundabouts, EK is populated with a whopping 600 of them.

This eye-popping figure, collated by South Lanarkshire Council, includes all mini roundabouts.

And under a new law drivers should take special care to make sure they aren't breaking the rules of the road.

Rule 186 states that those driving cars and other motorised vehicles will have to give priority to cyclists at roundabouts.

It reads: "You should give priority to cyclists on the roundabout. They will be travelling more slowly than motorised traffic.

"Give them plenty of room and do not attempt to overtake them within their lane. Allow them to move across your path as they travel around the roundabout.

Whirlies Roundabout is East Kilbride's biggest (East Kilbride News)

"Cyclists, horse riders and horse drawn vehicles may stay in the left-hand lane when they intend to continue across or around the roundabout and should signal right to show you they are not leaving the roundabout.

"Drivers should take extra care when entering a roundabout to ensure that they do not cut across cyclists, horse riders or horse drawn vehicles in the left-hand lane, who are continuing around the roundabout."

The change in regulations means those who can cause the most harm on the roads will bear a higher burden of responsibility to prevent accidents and increase awareness.

It is hoped this change in hierarchy of road users will see less injuries and deaths on our roads, but if broken, some motorists could find themselves in hot water when the new rules come into force on January 29.

Recent research from the AA found that only one third of motorists are aware that the rules are changing, which has led some to complain that the rule change hasn’t been publicised well enough.

Duncan Dollimore from Cycling UK said: "Many people won't have read the Highway Code for years, so it's essential that the key changes are clearly explained, with simple, accurate and memorable messages."

(East Kilbride News)

Commenting on the changes, Jason Wakeford, head of campaigns at Brake, the road safety charity, said: “The introduction of a road user hierarchy is so important for road safety.

"It means it is clear that road users who can do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the risk they pose to more vulnerable users, such as pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.

“It’s vital that Government works hard to promote the Highway Code changes, to help all road users understand the new rules and our shared responsibility to reduce deaths and serious injuries.”

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