Sensible Highway Codes
As we have already mentioned with Paul Smith's 100 word highway code (See it here) the official Highway Code is too large and developed piecemeal, is very often way behind the times in places and needs to be re-written from scratch. For example: Why have a code for dealing with horse and rider when, for all practical purposes, horses are now obsolete and a hazard of pure recreation in the road? Clearly then The Official Highway Code hasn't moved with the times.
Who writes it? What is their road craft expertise? It is updated occasionally after a consultation process but we know that very sound and sensible suggestions from very capable groups are imperiously rebuffed. So, given that no-one has a monopoly on road safety opinion, there is no reason why that should be the end of the matter. So here Keith Peat is now setting alternative sensible rules which will undoubtedly reduce road accidents and casualties and here they are:
Rule 115 p37 There will have been countless deaths caused on unlit rural roads because of the failure of lead vehicles to light up the road with main beam for themselves and following drivers. The drivers very often think that their speed should determine if main beam is necessary. That is wrong. All drivers, at any speed, need to see as much as possible and it makes no good sense to remain on dipped beam unless there is approaching traffic. These dipped beam drivers are a menace to those following because, to attempt to pass them without first lighting up the road ahead, is asking to finish up in a water filled ditch. No statistics are kept to indicate how many night time rural deaths and injuries have been caused over many years because of a failure to light up roads for following drivers. At the moment rule 115 is concerned with the etiquette of not disturbing the lead driver with glare from mirrors but it fails to get the right priority in this. It is far more important that the road ahead is lit by a driver if not the lead driver.
New rule 115 On unlit rural roads, if the lead driver is failing to light up the road fully, do not commence an overtake until after lighting up the road with main beam to ensure that there are no distant hazards first. Do not commence an overtake and wait until it is too late to light up the road as HC suggests.
Rule 66 Cyclists p23 Riding two abreast is purely social, although extreme cyclists do so to deliberately use their bodies to discourage overtaking by other road users. This is almost beyond comprehension to place oneself at the mercy of complete strangers in powerful machines. But as roads are not for social meetings, riding two abreast is dangerous and unwarranted.
New Rule 66 Cyclists must always ride single file and keep to the left and consider all other road users. If faster traffic is unable to pass safely do not ignore it, pull over and stop and allow it to pass safely..Never impose your speed on other road users.
In Built up areas, cyclists must not overtake other cyclists.
Cyclists must never pass stationary motor vehicles in near side lanes on the near side.
Rule 163 p55 Passing clearance for Cyclists & Horses. We deal with this in detail on the blog site here. In short it's utter nonsense for the reasons given on the blog.
New rule 163 Leave as much clearance when passing a cyclist that it is physically impossible or unlikely for the cyclist to deviate to the extent that a collision can result without it being the cyclist's fault.
Rule 93 p29 Driving while blinded We deal with this in detail on the blog site here
New rule 93: Do we need a rule for this if it isn't happening and can't be policed anyway?
Cyclists, walkers and horse riders. If you're riding into the sun, so are the drivers coming up behind you. Just keep that in mind.
Rules 214 & 215 p 73 In respect of horses: It is 2014 not 1914 Horses are now total recreation for those who can afford it. The rules describe everything we need to know about animals and roads. See more on this here
New rule 215 Do not use horses on the road. They and everyone else are much safer with horses in the fields where they prefer to be too.