If you’ve not been behind the wheel for a while, there might be some road situations you need to brush up on – especially as rules can change. According to one driving instructor, there’s a driving theory question that many drivers still don’t know the answer to – and it could put them in danger.
Annie Winterburn, owner of Spot On Driving, says it’s what to do when you want to turn into a new road and pedestrians are waiting to cross the side road. In a TikTok video, Annie explained: “So, drivers don’t know this. Learner drivers are getting confused about this.”
She then clarified that “you have to wait” because the pedestrians “have priority to go first”. According to Annie, this is also the case if you’re driving on the side road towards the main road, and pedestrians are waiting to cross.
To sum up, she explained: “If a pedestrian wants to cross a side road, drivers should allow them to cross over the road.” However, this isn’t the case if they want to cross the main road. “This could be dangerous,” added Annie.
If you do see pedestrians that are standing by a side road, but they aren’t moving, Annie warns you shouldn’t flash them to speed them up. “If you gesture for the pedestrians to cross, they use your signal and they start to cross but [other cars] don’t notice, then there could be an accident. A serious accident,” Annie explained.
In the comment section, many still weren’t aware of the rules. One person simply said: “Clarity at last.” Another wrote: “Very helpful. I didn’t know this until the day i got tested for my driver’s license. Luckily enough the officer testing me was merciful.” And a third wrote: “Omg I’ve been saying this to everyone! I get updates from Direct line regarding Highway Code. I’m glad I’m doing this.”
As of 2022, changes were made to the Highway Code in an effort to make the roads safer for pedestrians. The new rules states: “At a junction you should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning.”
Previously it said drivers should five way if they have “started crossing and traffic wants to turn into the road”.