These Highway Code changes must lead to a culture of respect on our roads – The Yorkshire Post says
TODAY’S changes to the Highway Code need to be judged by one simple test – will they make Britain’s roads safer so that more people are inclined to walk, or cycle, than take the car?
If this is the case, and there’s a fall in accidents in spite of a lack of awareness about the new guidance, including tweaks to the rights of way at junctions to prioritise pedestrians, they will come to represent a significant turning point.
After all, it is in Britain’s best interests – from a public health and climate change point of view – if the UK becomes less dependent on motorised transport.
But this will happen if all road users – motorists, pedestrians and cyclists alike – show more respect towards each other than at present and do not allow mobile phones, or other devices, to be a distraction.
For, unless they do, every incident and report of ‘road rage’ will make it harder to change the safety narrative so more people of all ages and abilities are confident enough to venture out on foot – or by bicycle.
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