The Highway Code - Hierarchy of road users

What is the principle of the ‘Hierarchy of road users’? What kind of road users are at the top of the hierarchy?

• It is a principle placing road users most at risk in the event of a collision at the top of the hierarchy

• Pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders and motorcyclists are most likely to be injured in the event of a collision

• Children, older adults and disabled people are more at risk in the event of collision

Hierarchy of road users - Rule H1

• Those in charge of vehicles that can cause the greatest harm in the event of a collision bear the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger that they pose to others

• This is mostly drivers of large goods and passenger vehicles - vans and minibuses, cars and taxis, motorcycles

Hierarchy of road users - Rule H2 

• Drivers, Cyclists, horse riders, drivers of horse drawn carriages, motorcyclists have a duty to reduce danger to pedestrians 

• At junctions, must give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road before turning

• Must give way (includes horse riders) to pedestrians on and waiting to cross a zebra crossing and pedestrians and cyclists on a parallel crossing — pedestrians have the priority on a zebra crossing, parallel crossing or light controlled crossing when the signal is green

• Cyclists should give way to pedestrians on shared-use cycle tracks and to horse riders on bridleways 

• Only pedestrians can use the pavement 

• Pedestrians can use any part of the road, pavement and use cycle tracks unless there are signs prohibiting pedestrians 

Hierarchy of road users - Rule H3 

• Rule for drivers and motorcyclists 

• Should not cut across cyclists, horse riders, or horse drawn vehicles going ahead when you are turning into or out of a junction or changing direction or lane - you must give way to them whether they are using a cycle lane, track or riding ahead on the road 

• Don’t turn at a junction if it would cause a cyclist, horse rider or horse-drawn vehicle that is going straight ahead to stop or swerve 

• Instead, you must stop and wait for a safe gap in the flow of cyclists 

• It includes when cyclists are: travelling around a roundabout; approaching, passing or moving off from a junction; moving past or waiting alongside stationary or slow-moving traffic