Smile of the day - What is yours?

[SV650rules]

Originally Posted by svenrico

In my weekend paper there was a summary of the changes to the highway code, one of which concerned zebra crossings and stated vehicles should stop for pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a zebra crossing !
Wasn't that always the case, that is what zebra crossings are for ?!!!

Zebra crossings are for cyclists to ride across, using pedestrians as a slalom course....

In the new rules cyclists also expected to give way to pedestrians ha ha ha ha

.

[svenrico]

Originally Posted by SV650rules

Zebra crossings are for cyclists to ride across, using pedestrians as a slalom course....

In the new rules cyclists also expected to give way to pedestrians ha ha ha ha

.

But wasn't that always the case anyway, all vehicles including cyclists to stop for pedestrians to use a zebra crossing ?

[SV650rules]

Originally Posted by svenrico

But wasn't that always the case anyway, all vehicles including cyclists to stop for pedestrians to use a zebra crossing ?

Yeah but it was optional for cyclists before LOL, also cyclists now need to give way to pedestrians waiting to cross or already crossing at junctions - which will be a novelty for them. Not sure how much legal force behind the new rules, if the highway code says you 'should' or 'you should not' it is just advisory ( good practice ), if the highway code says 'your must' or 'you must not' it is generally more enforceable by law.
.

[daktulos]

Originally Posted by svenrico

But wasn't that always the case anyway, all vehicles including cyclists to stop for pedestrians to use a zebra crossing ?

No - previously you had to stop for anyone already using the crossing, although most people would also stop for people waiting to stop out of courtesy.

[daktulos]

Originally Posted by SV650rules

Not sure how much legal force behind the new rules, if the highway code says you 'should' or 'you should not' it is just advisory ( good practice ), if the highway code says 'your must' or 'you must not' it is generally more enforceable by law.
.

The difference is that MUST may be enforced by the police proactively, but SHOULD will be enforced in arrears if you ever have an accident.

[Ruffy]

Originally Posted by SV650rules

Not sure how much legal force behind the new rules, ...

As far as I'm aware the underlying legislation hasn't been changed. This code change is just an attempt to clarify what was already supposed to be happening or to update expected interpretation.

Whether laws are sufficiently complied with or enforced (either consistently or to any sensible extent) is a different debate.

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by Ruffy

As far as I'm aware the underlying legislation hasn't been changed. This code change is just an attempt to clarify what was already supposed to be happening or to update expected interpretation.

Whether laws are sufficiently complied with or enforced (either consistently or to any sensible extent) is a different debate.

Yes, big media misinformation on the changes to the Highway Code, most have been in the HC for a long time, and as you say have been updated.

Rather than read FB posts & media misinformation, then look at Cycling UK's explanation of the changes

https://www.cyclinguk.org/safer-highway-code-cyclists

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by svenrico

In my weekend paper there was a summary of the changes to the highway code, one of which concerned zebra crossings and stated vehicles should stop for pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a zebra crossing !
Wasn't that always the case, that is what zebra crossings are for ?!!!

That's your first problem, reading a journalists interpretation of the Highway Code changes

[svenrico]

Originally Posted by daktulos

No - previously you had to stop for anyone already using the crossing, although most people would also stop for people waiting to stop out of courtesy.

Who ever didn't stop for somebody waiting to use a zebra crossing ?!
(apart from the motorist who rammed the car in front ,which was waiting for my sister using the zebra crossing and was then shunted forward to knock her down!)

[daktulos]

Originally Posted by svenrico

Who ever didn't stop for somebody waiting to use a zebra crossing ?!

Almost everyone would stop, which is why this is one of the less controversial changes, but that's what the change is - it previously said you should stop if people were already crossing, but it now says you also stop for people waiting.

It's stopping for pedestrians crossing at junctions (a different change) which is causing arguments.