New driving laws 2022: regulatory and traffic law developments that will affect all drivers Bedford News

Each year brings a wave of new plans, consultations and legislation, and 2022 will be no different.

Already, we are aware of some laws that will change over the next 12 months as well as major revisions to the Highway Code, which guides the behavior of all road users.

Without a doubt, more changes will be brought to us as the year progresses, but below we have put together the new laws and rule changes that we already know.

Currently, drivers can be fined £ 200 and six penalty points for using a mobile phone for ‘interactive communication’ while driving. However, a flaw means that they cannot be prosecuted for taking videos, photos, or other uses such as scrolling downloaded music.

Under the new law, any use of a cell phone or other device while driving will become illegal and subject to the same fine of £ 200 and six points.

Another major change that will affect all road users is the release of the update Traffic Laws, is expected to come into effect in January.

Key changes to the guide include the creation of a formal “road user hierarchy” designed to protect the most vulnerable, including pedestrians and cyclists.

The new hierarchy will mean that road users who can do the most harm will have the greatest responsibility for reducing the danger they can pose to others. This places a greater, but not complete, responsibility on those in larger vehicles to ensure that they do not endanger cyclists and pedestrians.

The new highway code also stipulates that drivers entering a crossroads or changing lanes must not cross paths with cyclists, riders or horse-drawn vehicles. And it gives priority to pedestrians when they are waiting to cross at a junction or junction rather than just when they are already crossing.

the law on who can tow a trailer was supposed to change in November but was suspended at the last minute. Since then, the DVSA has said the new licensing rules will go into effect “as soon as possible,” meaning the change is expected to happen in 2022.

Under current law, drivers who passed their exam on or after January 1, 1997, must take a car and trailer exam in order to tow anything over 750 kg. However, as part of the planned change, this requirement will be removed and all drivers will be able to tow trailers up to 3500 kg without additional testing.

Sidewalk parking is already illegal in London, but changes to the law are expected in 2022 which will give local councils in England and Wales the power to impose fines of £ 70 on the spot.

A separate bill banning the practice has already been passed in Scotland but will not come into force until 2023.

A consultation on whether to authorize other doctors to perform the checks ended earlier in December and if his proposals are accepted, nurses and other doctors could join the licensed doctors to perform the checks.

From next year, councils in England will have the power to impose fines for various ‘moving traffic offenses’, such as driving in a reserved bus lane, stopping in a yellow intersection or driving. ignoring entry prohibition signs.

Currently only London and Cardiff councils have such powers, but earlier this year the Transport Department confirmed plans to pass dormant elements of the Traffic Management Act to hand over the same authority to other English councils.

This is expected to gain parliamentary approval in early 2022 and once it does, councils will be able to issue fixed fines of £ 70 for a host of offenses currently overseen by police.