Drivers face huge £5,000 fine due to little-known rule

Drivers across the UK may be breaking a rule that could see them fined a huge £5,000 without even realising. Motoring experts are warning people about the little-known rule which can land them in hot water.

Drivers should always stop for people waiting to cross the road - not just those already crossing. A change to the Highway Code in 2022 meant that every junction with a pavement effectively became a pedestrian crossing. However, many drivers are still unaware of the rule with the maximum penalty for breaking it being nine points and a £5,000 fine.

Gerry Bucke, general manager of Adrian Flux, one of the UK's largest specialist motor insurance brokers, said: "We all know that there is a huge percentage of drivers on the road who have passed their theory test and never looked at the Highway Code since.

"We know that there are a lot of people that are not going to be aware of subtle changes to the wording of driving laws so to them this still feels like a secret pedestrian rule. The fact it was introduced in January 2022 will be of little comfort to them should they be charged for breaking it."

The updated Highway Code states that "other traffic should give way" to pedestrians "when people are crossing or waiting to cross at junction" and "if people have started crossing and traffic wants to turn into the road".

Motorists must give way to "people on a zebra crossing and people walking and cycling on a parallel crossing".

Mr Bucked added: "Careless driving not only carries the punishment of points and a fine, it's very likely a driver's insurance premium will go up as a result. We all need to make sure we're doing our bit to better educate drivers and, of course, help provide a safer environment for both pedestrians and drivers."

People on social platform Reddit have also discussed the law. One user said they "haven't seen a single driver obey this rule since they introduced it".

A second questioned the use of the word "should" rather than "must" in the wording for the rule in the Highway Code.