'Lifesaving' Highway Code updates needed in Northern Ireland after three-year delay

Three years have passed since substantial changes were made to the GB Highway Code, which introduced new rules on a ‘hierarchy of road users’, junction priority, close passes, and much more. While the Northern Ireland government is waiting to see the impact of those changes, Cycling UK has warned that greater delays will cost more lives.

With the recent passing of Gary McMahon, 58, who died after a collision with a lorry whilst cycling in north Belfast in November 2024 and 77-year-old Carole Graham who died following a crash in Glengormley just this month, it is clear how significant this issue is. Changes, such as the ‘hierarchy of road users’, which gives people who are most likely to be seriously harmed greater priority over other road users, would go a long way in saving more lives. That includes pedestrians, in particular children, older adults and disabled people. People who cycle and horse riders are next, followed by motorcyclists. It also states that “those in charge of vehicles that can cause the greatest harm in the event of a collision bear the greatest responsibility to take care and reduce the danger they pose to others”.

Communities paying a high price

We've disputed the claim that we need to wait to see the full impact of road safety improvements and have also highlighted the lessons to be learnt from the UK government’s failure to properly educate and inform the public of the changes. Back in 2022, the absence of a public awareness campaign in the build-up to the GB Highway Code update led to widespread confusion among the public, and inaccurate reporting when it was launched. 

While England, Scotland and Wales have been educating new drivers, and experienced drivers alike for the past three years, Northern Ireland is yet to make that same advancement. The Department for Infrastructure has argued that the cost of a campaign would be too high – but the reality is, the cost to our communities is already too high. Further to this, a campaign would likely come in as less expensive than other awareness campaigns such as Stormont's Christmas drink driving campaign. This is because there would be no need to create new materials or assets, as they have already been produced and developed by the UK Department for Transport.

People want to cycle more

Almost half of people across Northern Ireland (47%) said in a 2023 report that they want to cycle more. Yet only 35% of Belfast residents think the level of safety for cycling in their area is good. The DfI’s own survey showed that cycling was the preferred mode of transport for future trips to work or education, more than any other transport mode. To save lives and deliver for the people of Northern Ireland, it is crucial we see these updates made.

Duncan Dollimore, our head of campaigns, said:  

"If we want to make it safer and easier for people to walk, wheel and cycle, we first need to set the expectation for behaviour on our roads. Updating the Highway Code will make it clear that those with the largest vehicles, who have the greatest potential to cause harm, that they bear the greatest responsibility to protect more vulnerable road users. That’s just one benefit of adopting these updates. There are numerous others that can all contribute to safer roads and streets for us all.

While these updates are important to educate current road users of their responsibilities while out on the road, it’s also crucial for new drivers. With more people looking for other ways to travel, whether for financial reasons, health or environmental, making our roads safer for its most vulnerable users is essential.

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A call for safer streets

Kerry Lynn, from Belfast who walks her children to school, said:

“As a mum of three young kids, we’re out and about in the neighbourhood every day, either as pedestrians or on the cargo bike and safety is obviously my biggest concern. We live just a few hundred metres from the school, but even trying to navigate that residential area can be a nightmare.

“Every single day, getting around means teaching my three-year-old to patiently wait before getting to any corner to avoid cars that regularly mount the kerbs as they go round corners. It means keeping an eye out for cars driving far too close to us or speeding up to overtake as we signal to turn right to get off the main road. It means being too frightened to take the cargo bike on any longer distances where I would have to use the main road, which is a shame because the kids love it and it’s so convenient.

Updates to our road rules, like the 'Hierarchy of Road Users' makes so much sense to me because it highlights our individual responsibilities, relative to what we’re using to get around.

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It would make a huge difference not only for families like mine but also for the community as a whole. I think some people feel like we shouldn’t be on the road at all, but I think a neighbourhood is all about the ability for people to walk and cycle to their local amenities and meet friendly faces along the way. It brings us closer together, fights off loneliness and builds community coherence. 

“Even when you drive, you can’t get that close to your destination, there will inevitably be some walking for everyone, and it should be safe. People shouldn’t feel scared and unwelcome just because someone else is in a rush and I believe these updates would lead to safer and more responsible behaviour on our roads.”