The Highway Code changes, pedestrian safety and personal injury claims

The vast majority of injuries and consequential claims involving road safety and pedestrians, come from a driver’s failure to stop in time

One of the most talked about changes to the Highway Code coming into effect this month, is the giving of pedestrians’ priority when waiting to cross at a crossing or junction; at present, pedestrians only have priority over other road users when they have started to cross

In other words, other road users must now stop when a pedestrian is waiting at a zebra crossings, or junctions

This change is part of a broader approach to the reform of the Highway Code and the giving of higher priority from a safety viewpoint to pedestrians and cyclists; this change of landscape will have been noted and used by Claimant personal injury lawyers

Turning to the above-stated specific change, it is obvious that no accident, or personal injury will take place if, (contrary to the new rule) another road user fails to allow a waiting pedestrian to cross; however, in the context of an actual personal injury claim, where a driver has failure to stop in time, it will reinforce arguments about the driver’s speed and in particular, the need to slow down and exercise caution when approaching a cross, or junction

If you have been injured, or involved in a road traffic accident, please contact our Personal Injury Team