08/05/2026
🛑 The Hierarchy of Road Users
Introduced in January 2022, the hierarchy is a concept that places those most at risk in a collision at the top. This doesn’t mean pedestrians can ignore safety, but it does mean those driving larger, faster vehicles have the greatest responsibility to reduce danger to others.
The order of priority is:
Pedestrians (especially children, older adults, and people with disabilities)
Cyclists
Horse Riders
Motorcyclists
Cars and Taxis
Vans and Minibuses
Large Goods Vehicles (HGVs) and Buses
🚶 Crossing at Junctions: What Changed?
The biggest shift in the rules (Rule H2 and Rule 170) surrounds how we handle pedestrians at side roads and junctions.
The Old Rule: You only had to give way if the pedestrian had already stepped onto the road.
The New Rule: You should give way to pedestrians waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning.
Important: If a pedestrian has already started to cross the road you are turning into, they have priority and you must give way.
✅ What "Good" Looks Like
•For a safe and smooth drive, follow these best practices to stay compliant with the latest standards:
•Anticipate Early: As you approach a junction, look for pedestrians on the pavement who look like they intend to cross.
•Signal Clearly: Use your indicators clearly so the pedestrian knows your intentions.
•Gentle Deceleration: Slow down smoothly. If a pedestrian is waiting, a clear and controlled stop shows them it is safe to cross.
👀Eye Contact: Where possible, make eye contact to acknowledge the pedestrian's presence.
The "Dutch Reach": When parking, use the hand furthest from the door to open it.
This forces you to turn your body and look over your shoulder for passing cyclists or pedestrians.
🚗 Learning to Drive?
Understanding these nuances is a huge part of passing your test and becoming a confident motorist. If you have questions about how these rules apply in real-world scenarios, feel free to drop a comment below or send us a message!