The Highway Code is 90 years old this year. It was introduced at a time when roads, cars, and the world and its owners were in a very different place. There were fewer vehicles on the road and in 1931 no motorways existed. There were a million cars on the road compared to 40 million today (lockdown permitting). Deaths on the roads in 1930 amounted to 7305. In 2020 there were 1580. So how relevant is the Highway Code today and what is next for road users?
When I took my test (last century), my theory was checked by the driving instructor at the end of the test, by me answering a number of questions. For young people today (including my daughter who is of driving age) the theory test is taken before the practical test. The Highway code remains the road traffic bible where vital information is contained so that every road user (in theory) knows the rules of the roads.
Whether drivers always stick to those rules is another matter (and keeps me in a job). It has been updated a number of times through the years to accommodate changes to vehicles, drivers and the roads. What remains relevant is peoples views as to how it should change.
For example there is a big question about the so called ‘smart’ motorways. This will remain a relevant topic as there are real concerns about the safety of these motorways as increasing fatalities are reported. However whilst we have these ‘new’ technologies, there is always room for improvement to the Highway Code so that drivers can gain as much guidance as possible to keep injuries and fatalities down.
If there is another lockdown, have a look at it. You may relearn something that you may have forgotten (even though you are the best driver on the road).
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