Highway code Rule H2

I agree. Genuinely don't see what's wrong with having designated crossing points for pedestrians. No ambiguity, everyone knows what the rules are, far less risk of accidents.

I would also add that before I learned to drive, I was probably an absolutely terrible pedestrian. Being a driver makes you a much more responsible road user whichever means of getting around you're using, as you're just so much more aware of what's going on. The new rules only work if everyone is as aware of the highway code and how things actually work on the roads as the average driver is. But a lot of pedestrians are not drivers and have never seriously studied the highway code.

 

One of the dumbest rules ever, I was turning right across a lane the other day , three quarters across some daft bugger crossed the road I was turning into ,right in front of my car, leaving me to brake with my passenger side exposed to approaching traffic on the original road.

 

As a pedestrian I prefer to cross when there are no cars on the road. I don't like cars to stop for me when I'm at the kerb. Doing so is inviting me into an accident. I feel pressured to cross when they do so, it reduces my view of the environment and I wish they would stop.

Just because they have stopped it doesn't mean a car coming the other way has a good view of me and is able to stop. Nor does it mean a vehicle behind the stationary car can see me or know why the car in front has stopped, which may lead to that vehicle overtaking the stationary car. I have seen this happen and I have no doubt whatsoever it has resulted in fatalities.

I want to make the decision of when I cross with no interference or pressure from motorists. I want them to go about their business. The new highway code rule is ludicrous and has made crossing the road much more dangerous. I never, ever had a problem, but now I'm regularly invited into very dangerous situations.

 

Good summary. Like you say, as a pedestrian I never ever think of crossing on a street corner when there are cars around as it's inherently unsafe. That's why zebra crossings exist.

It seems like a case of trying to fix a problem that never existed in the first place. It's the highway code equivalent of self-service supermarket checkouts, but much more dangerous.

 

And the worst:

If a lorry or van is turning left at a junction and stops to let me cross, I can't see if there's anything coming around it that is turning right. I'm literally being invited to be run over. It's absolutely nuts.

 

When I learned to drive (1979) I was taught that when turning from one road into another you must give way to ALL road users in that road, including pedestrians. Fundamentally the HC has only re-worded what was already in place. So any arsehole who doesn't give way was also taught this when they learnt to drive (or should have been) but chooses to ignore it.

 

It's not just rule H2 that's not followed .

 

This, would be my biggest concern of the rule.
I would also just add, if a pedestrian is approaching a corner how does the driver know if they are following the road round or going to cross? If they stop and pause fine you can anticipate that but if they just step out without pausing stride?
Every other user of that junction has to signal their intention.

 

Another very good point. Drivers have indicators, cyclists have a universally understood set of hand signals. Pedestrians have body language and telepathy.

 

While you're technically correct, it still seems that the new wording is completely impractical in many real-life situations, as has been outlined in other posts. In many countries, for example Finland, it's actually illegal to cross the road unless you're using a marked crossing point. They don't seem to have any problems, and I have yet to see a long queue of frustrated pedestrians waiting to cross the road in Helsinki.

 

IN the road is very different to 'standing at the side of the road'. Of course we've always been told to give way to someone standing in the middle of the road, we've never been taught to pull up and let someone cross on the corner of a junction leaving your car blocking anyone's view.

 

The biggest problem with the roads is a very deeply embedded "them and us" attitude, most clearly illustrated by the anti-cycling lobby typified by the Daily Heil. It is also exacerbated the entitled attitude of many drivers; "it's my road, get out of my way". And by some cyclists (and to a lesser extent, pedestrians) who flout the rules (jumping red lights, no light in the dark etc). We are all road users and should always treat each other with respect - and abide by the HC.

 

I have been thinking about this and I DO believe it is a dangerous change to the rules and not just because of " bad drivers".
One of the most potentially dangerous manoeuvres is the right turn across oncoming traffic on a busy main road.
The waiting driver has to concentrate on assessing the distance and speed of approaching vehicles whilst keeping an eye on his rear view for approaching traffic from behind and then checking the road he is entering is clear and his drivers door mirror just before starting his turn to ensure no-one is overtaking.
Given if he is correctly positioned level with the centre of the road he is turning into and just left of centre of the road he is on he now also need to be looking for pedestrians who are approaching the road on both sides. You could get the 'will they/won't they situation with pedestrians unsure as to whether they have priority (there is really no such thing as 'Right of Way') and dither. On busy urban roads, if the car turning then has to suddenly pause during the turn leaving them blocking oncoming traffic you risk a collision.
In summary we all agree that pedestrians cyclists and cars do not 'mix' well. Really pavements should be the refuge for those on foot whilst the roads are for cars. Giving pedestrians 'priority' over cars on the road is, IMO, likely to lead to accidents given that unlike road users pedestrians are not obliged to study or know the Highway code.

 

We're talking about junctions, not corners. if you aren't slowing down and looking at junctions anyway then you really shouldn't be driving.

 

Then he is an idiot.

EDIT: The best advice to give a learner drivers which I was given and also taught when I was an instructor was... treat all other road users, including me, as idiots. Drive defensively and be prepared for the unexpected.

 

NO! You were taught to give way to someone already crossing. A pedestrian on the pavement is by definition NOT a road users. You misunderstood the instructor. As someone has said. The only place that would apply was zebra crossing (why they exist in the first place). Pelican i.e. light controlled ones exist because many drivers ignored (and still do) people waiting to cross.

 

Hands up, if you'd teach your kids to step out in front of a moving vehicle.
Anybody?
No, thought not. That's how stupid the rule is.

 

My favourite or one of the others?

 

I like the way in Europe, where this is law in a few places I think also, at a lot of junctions they have those zebra crossings at the turning point - helps remind drivers that if someone is waiting to cross the road you should stop. It would make more sense that if they really want to give pedestrians right of way IMHO. Practically, it seems to work, although again people don't just step out, they wait for cars to stop - the same as you would do on a normal zebra crossing.