Government outlines plans to combat road rage and boost respect between road users

Highway Code guidance on how road users should behave around cyclists and pedestrians to be reviewed

Government outlines plans to combat road rage and boost respect between road users
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The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced a number of new initiatives as part of a two-year action plan to improve road safety.

The 50 proposed measures are part of the government’s plan to combat road rage, encourage greater mutual respect between road users and protect the most vulnerable.

Councils will be given powers to tackle dangerous parking in mandatory cycle lanes, and will also be encouraged to spend around 15 per cent of their local transport infrastructure funding on walking and cycling.

Video evidence

A bespoke new back office unit will also be set up so that police can analyse video evidence submitted by the public.

The DfT will also appoint a new cycling and walking champion, to ensure new policies meet the needs of road users across the UK, and will host a new 2019 Bikeability Summit encouraging businesses to promote cycling and walking schemes to their employees.

The action plan will also assess whether insurance companies could offer discounts to drivers and motorcyclists who have passed Bikeability training.

Training

The DfT will work closely with courier companies to explore incentives for drivers who undergo training in driving safely alongside cyclists, pedestrians and horse-riders.

The measures build upon feedback of more than 14,000 people, including organisations such as Brake, Living Streets, Cycling UK and the British Horse Society – who responded to the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy Safety Review call for evidence.

Since the strategy was published, councils and metro mayors have allocated an additional £700 million to active travel initiatives, with almost £2 billion being invested in this area over this Parliament.

The government announced that it would review guidance in the Highway Code on how road users should behave in relation to cyclists and pedestrians, as well as other vulnerable road users.

The review will be conducted in consultation with all key stakeholders, including those representing equestrians.

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