A number of rule changes to the Highway Code have been brought in this year, but experts on motoring have sent a warning to those who are not aware of them.
A new survey has found that only one in ten drivers in the UK would have accurate knowledge to pass a theory test if they were to retake it today. The Liverpool Echo reports that one in five drivers over the age of 55 admit that they have not revisited the Highway Code since passing their test.
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This is a significant cause for concern for all road users in the UK. Despite the Highway Code being updated each year, 52 per cent of drivers have either not read the code since they passed their test, haven't ever read it, or can't remember it at all.
Survey conductors Age Co said it was a "concerning result" given the fact that 75 per cent of drivers take to the roads multiple times a week, or even day. Some of the most commonly misunderstood rules included the Dutch Reach rule, towing and electric vehicles.
The Dutch Reach rule
This rule involves a driver or passenger using their opposite hand to open the door, causing their body to turn towards the back of the car. This allows them to see if there is any oncoming traffic. The survey found that drivers were unsure whether this could lead to drivers being fined for not using the method.
Due to the Highway Code only being advisory, meaning it cannot lead to any fines, many would ignore the rules. However, people could be held responsible if they break other laws, that include reckless or dangerous driving.
Electric vehicles
There was also confusion about whether it is mandatory to display a warning sign when charging an electric vehicle.
Carolyn Hector, Director of Marketing, Brand and Product Development at Age Co, said: “We conducted this research to uncover drivers' knowledge of the new Highway Code. While many of us think we are perfectly safe and good drivers, not knowing the latest regulations puts us, and others, at risk.
“It’s a real concern that many drivers could be making illegal driving decisions, completely unaware.”
Overtaking cyclists
Another finding in the survey that was surprising was that 80 per cent of respondents they need to leave a gap of just half a metre between their car and a cyclist when overtaking. Historically, no guidance was provided other than to leave at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car.
However, the revised Highway Code actually requires drivers to leave at least three times this amount - around 1.5 metres or five feet.
Only 22 per cent of drivers over the age of 50 have read the Highway Code since it was last revised in January 2022. Five percent of these are between 55 and 64 years old, while eight percent are over the age of 75.
Men over 50 were found to be more aware of the new changes than women, although when it came to recalling specific changes, women were more aware. The latest version of the Highway Code, which was introduced in January 2022, provides new guidance around cyclists and self-driving cars, to name a few changes.
Since its release, less than 20 per cent of respondents have read the Highway Code, with Age Co saying that it shows “the majority of us are way out of date on our knowledge”.
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