The Highway Code

The Highway Code is the official set of information and guidance for road users in the United Kingdom.

The Code applies to all road users, including pedestrians, horse riders and cyclists, as well as motorcyclists and other drivers.

It gives information on traffic signs, traffic signals, road markings and legal requirements for different road users, and has annexes on vehicle maintenance, licence requirements, documentation, penalties, and vehicle security.

[1] It is prepared by the Department for Transport and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, and is published by The Stationery Office in both electronic form and as a printed book.

[2] Drivers in London had evolved a system for signalling their intentions to turn right or stop, using their arm, and this was seen to be of such benefit that it should be required and standardised as a code of behaviour across the country.

It contained 21 pages of advice, including the arm signals to be given by drivers and police officers controlling traffic.

The sixth edition, in 1968, used photographs as well as drawings for the first time, and also updated the illustrations of road signs to take the new 'continental' designs into account.

The 70-page 1978 edition introduced the Green Cross Code for pedestrians and orange badges for unskilled drivers.

The code says "do not turn at a junction if to do so would cause the [more vulnerable road user] going straight ahead to stop or swerve".

Certain rules in The Highway Code are legal requirements, and are identified by the words 'must' or 'must not', presented in bold red block capitals.