The 7 changes to the Highway Code for 2022

Motorists, is it time to brush up on your highway code!

Are you aware of the 7 changes to the UK driving laws in 2022?

Motorists are being urged to brush up on the highway code with a series of big changes to driving laws coming into force this year.

Campaigners have already warned one of the biggest changes that requires drivers to have more responsibility to look out for cyclists and pedestrians has not been promoted widely enough.

The Highway Code, the official guidance for UK motorist, which contains advice and rules for people on Britain's roads, is expected to be updated with a change to a risk-based hierarchy of road users.

These changes will include new priorities at road junctions, additional new laws on the use of mobile phones, minimum overtaking distances and the introduction of speed limiters in new cars.

New rules when behind the wheel

1. Cyclists to be given priority over drivers at junctions

For the first time, the law will require those who can do the greatest harm to others to have a higher level of responsibility to reduce the danger.

It means for example that someone driving will have more responsibility to watch out for people cycling, walking or riding a horse, and cyclists will have more responsibility to be aware of pedestrians.

It will have the biggest impact at junctions, with drivers having to ensure they do not cross the path of cyclists or horse riders. 

Under changes road users at a junction should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road. 

2. Priority for pedestrians

Under the same change, road users at a junction should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which they are turning.

You should give way, the government says, “to pedestrians waiting to cross a zebra crossing, and pedestrians and cyclists waiting to cross a parallel crossing”. 

The law previously said that pedestrians and cyclists only had right of way when they were on the crossing.

3. More room must be left for cyclists 

Another key amendment to the Highway Code will be clearer guidance for drivers to leave a minimum distance of at least 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists.

There will also be a recommendation for car users to reduce the risk of opening a door into the path of a cyclist by using the hand on the opposite side to the door, as this will often lead to them looking over their shoulder.

4. Mobile phones

Tougher laws on using your mobile phone while driving will come into force in 2022. It's already illegal to call or text while driving, other than in an emergency.

New laws will ban drivers from using their phones to take photos or videos, scroll through playlists or play games.

Anyone caught using their hand-held device while driving will face a £200 fixed penalty notice and six points on their license.

'Hands-free' devices such as a sat-nav will still be able to be used if they are secured in a mount holder and not hand held.

5. Local Authorities with greater power

Local authorities are being given more powers to issue £70 fines against motorists.

Under 'moving traffic' offences, councils will be able to punish drivers for stopping in yellow box junctions and for performing bad maneuverers.

Currently, most councils are only able to send out penalties for parking and driving in bus lanes.

6. Sleepy/tired drivers may face unlimited fines

Drivers could be jailed or face unlimited fines if they don't get enough sleep under the new Highway Code rules.

The altered Rule 91 falls within the fitness to drive category and refers to ensuring drivers get 'sufficient sleep'.

However, under the tightened-up rules, tired drivers have also been told they shouldn't use emergency areas or motorway hard shoulders to take a break.

Drivers who stop on the hard shoulder face a fine of up to £5,000, nine penalty points and a lengthy driving ban for careless driving if they cause an accident.

7. Speed limiters to be fitted into new cars

To improve road safety, new cars will be fitted with speed limiters from July 6, 2022.

Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) uses GPS to work out what the speed limit is and will then ensure the car doesn't break it.

ISAs will be mandatory for all new models given 'type approval' from July 6. This means it includes any new car brought to market from that date, rather than new cars already in production.

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