Highway code changes ‘may lead to more road rage attacks’

New rules putting greater onus on drivers to watch out for cyclists, horse riders and motorcyclists will cause confusion and risk sparking a surge in road rage attacks, campaigners claim.

The updates — including advice for cyclists to ride in the middle of traffic lanes on narrow streets or near junctions where it would be unsafe for cars to overtake — take effect on Saturday.

They are intended to improve safety for vulnerable road users and ensure car and lorry drivers take greater responsibility to reduce the danger they may pose.

But an AA survey of 13,700 drivers found a third had no idea the Highway Code revisions were on their way.

The Alliance of British Drivers warned the changes could stir up ‘ill feeling’ and ‘may lead to irresponsible attitudes by cyclists and pedestrians’.

It added: ‘All road users have a responsibility towards all other users and should treat one another with respect and tolerance.’

The updates include a ‘hierarchy of road users’, with drivers now told to give way to pedestrians at junctions.

And when getting out of the car, they are urged to pull the handle with the Dutch Reach — using the hand furthest away. This forces them to twist around and cuts the chances of an unseen cyclist crashing into the open door.

The ABD said the instructions on how to open a door were ‘unnecessarily prescriptive’ while having to give way ‘could cause confusion and possible accidents’, particularly if a driver is forced to stop mid-turn.

The organisation has called for it to be made mandatory for cyclists to use bike paths and other facilities, where they are provided.

Meanwhile, Duncan Dollimore, of Cycling UK, said the Department for Transport’s lack of publicity helped neither walkers and cyclists nor ‘the drivers who are somehow meant to telepathically know’ about the rules.

The organisation has welcomed the changes but said not enough is being done to make people aware of them.

Drivers could face fines of up to £1,000 for breaking the updated regulations.

The Department of Transport has said previously that the changes will ‘improve safety on the road.’

A spokesperson added: ‘The department has established a working group of key organisations to ensure that messages about the changes are as widespread as possible, and our well-established Think! campaign will continue to ensure all road users are aware both when these changes come into effect and beyond.’

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