Four years after significant changes were made to the Highway Code, road safety campaigners and MPs are urging the government to relaunch a national awareness campaign.

A hierarchy of vulnerability and responsibility of road users was the central theme of the new Highway Code, introduced to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians.

The calls for a reset and reminder come amidst concerns that millions of road users still do not understand the updated rules.

Implementing change

The reforms, which came into force on 29 January 2022, represented one of the most significant shifts in British road safety policy in decades.

At their heart was the introduction of a “hierarchy of road users,” placing greater responsibility on drivers of larger, more potentially dangerous vehicles to reduce risk to more vulnerable groups, including cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders.

Other key changes included clearer guidance requiring drivers to give cyclists at least 1.5 metres of space when overtaking at speeds of up to 30mph, prioritising pedestrians waiting to cross at junctions, and encouraging motorists to adopt the “Dutch Reach” technique (using the hand furthest from the door handle) to reduce the risk of opening doors into the path of cyclists.

Mind set

However, campaigners, including the charity Cycling UK, warn that without sustained public education, the rules risk failing to deliver their full safety benefits.

Sarah McMonagle, Director of External Affairs at Cycling UK, said: “We can’t expect people to follow rules they don’t know about. What we need is a balanced approach to improving road safety that combines education, prevention and enforcement of the rules. It’s important we clearly explain why these changes came into action and how they work to protect people walking to the shops or cycling their children to school.”

The original awareness campaign, run by the government’s road safety body THINK!, was widely welcomed, but campaigners say funding cuts have undermined efforts to reinforce the message.

THINK!’s budget has been reduced by around two-thirds since 2019, raising concerns about the long-term effectiveness of public education.

No change

Research suggests the lack of awareness remains widespread.

A 2022 survey commissioned by YouGov found that just 33% of drivers said they understood the new hierarchy of road users, while nearly one in five admitted they were unaware of any changes.

Separate research by the RAC found confusion about pedestrian priority at junctions, with many motorists unsure when to give way.

Safety experts warn that misunderstanding or ignorance of the new rules risks undermining progress in reducing serious injuries and fatalities.

Department for Transport figures show that while cycling levels have increased by more than a third since 2004, safety improvements have stalled in recent years.

In 2024, 82 cyclists were killed on Britain’s roads, and more than 3,800 were seriously injured.

For many cyclists, the gap between policy and practice is evident in daily experience. Steve Cox, a 70-year-old retiree from Bristol, recorded nearly 60 incidents of drivers overtaking him too closely in a single year.

“I think the updates to the Highway Code are great because they’ve given people more confidence to cycle,” he said. “But not enough people know about it. While enforcement matters, education is just as important. People need to understand why giving cyclists space saves lives.”

Saving ourselves

Road safety specialists say the Highway Code changes form part of a broader “Safe System” approach, which recognises that human error is inevitable but serious harm can be prevented through safer road design, better vehicles, stronger enforcement and improved public awareness.

The government’s Road Safety Strategy, published earlier this year, emphasised the importance of lifelong learning for road users, including refresher campaigns to reinforce safe behaviours.

Campaigners argue that such efforts are urgently needed, particularly as Britain seeks to encourage more walking and cycling for health, environmental and congestion-reduction benefits.

“Safer roads don’t happen by accident,” McMonagle said. “They require consistent education, investment and leadership. These changes have the potential to transform road safety — but only if everyone understands and follows them.”

Without renewed efforts, experts warn, the promise of safer roads for Britain’s most vulnerable users could remain unfulfilled.