Highway Code rules on who gets priority at roundabouts is about to change

A new and ‘potentially confusing’ Highway Code rule has come into place that changes who gets priority at roundabouts.

Under the old rules, drivers were always given priority at roundabouts but, a new section under rule 186 states that road users will now be forced to give priority to cyclists on roundabouts.

The rule, expected to come into force from January 29th, states: “You should give priority to cyclists on the roundabout. They will be travelling more slowly than motorised traffic.

“Give them plenty of room and do not attempt to overtake them within their lane. Allow them to move across your path as they travel around the roundabout.

Gerry Lynch / Wikimedia Common

“Cyclists, horse riders and horse drawn vehicles may stay in the left-hand lane when they intend to continue across or around the roundabout and should signal right to show you they are not leaving the roundabout.

“Drivers should take extra care when entering a roundabout to ensure that they do not cut across cyclists, horse riders or horse drawn vehicles in the left-hand lane, who are continuing around the roundabout.”

The rule change will also require motorists to give way to cyclists and pedestrians at junctions, pedestrians waiting to cross the road into which or from they are turning, as well as pedestrians and cyclists on a parallel crossing.

The new rule has been introduced in an attempt to ensure that road users who can do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger or threat they may pose to others.

Şahin Sezer Dinçer / Unsplash

However, the AA have warned that these rule changes could cause ‘confusion and dangerous situations’ on British roads, saying that in a survey of 13,000 drivers, only a third were aware of the upcoming rule change.

A spokesman for the Department for Transport said: “The proposed upcoming changes to The Highway Code will improve safety for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders and were widely reported when they were announced earlier this year.”

The Highway Code reminds road users that if they are caught not complying to the rules, it will be classed as a criminal offence, meaning drivers may be fined, given penalty points on their licence or be disqualified from driving.

You can read the new rules in full here.