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Reference.org
The Highway Code
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<p><i>The Highway Code</i> is the official set of information and guidance for road users in the <a href="/facts/United_Kingdom/kuPAILt2">United Kingdom</a>. Its objective is to promote the safe and efficient use of the road network. The Code applies to all road users, including <a href="/facts/Pedestrian/Vc8a4xer">pedestrians</a>, horse riders and <a href="/facts/Cyclist/XH6EKjAF">cyclists</a>, as well as <a href="/facts/Motorcyclist/la2t5bJr">motorcyclists</a> and other drivers. It gives information on <a href="/facts/Road_signs_in_the_United_Kingdom/q4mmTJTp">traffic signs</a>, <a href="/facts/Traffic_light/v5pwcfsQ">traffic signals</a>, <a href="/facts/Road_surface_marking/yk8thLtL">road markings</a> and legal requirements for different road users, and has annexes on vehicle maintenance, licence requirements, documentation, penalties, and vehicle security. </p><p>Though <i>The Highway Code</i> itself is not legally binding, many of its rules directly reflect the law, and a failure to observe any of its provisions may be used as evidence in legal proceedings (especially to establish liability in relation to offences such as <a href="/facts/Driving_without_due_care_and_attention/HkC2VJ52">careless</a> and <a href="/facts/Dangerous_driving/C5MfSbre">dangerous driving</a>). </p><p><i>The Highway Code</i> was first published in 1931, and is regularly updated. It is prepared by the <a href="/facts/Department_for_Transport/mgBYxgSV">Department for Transport</a> and the <a href="/facts/Driver_and_Vehicle_Standards_Agency/Pj1f0lhx">Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency</a>, and is published by <a href="/facts/The_Stationery_Office/mQQpqDbr">The Stationery Office</a> in both electronic form and as a printed book. </p><p>The 17th edition (2022) introduced some significant changes. In particular, a new "hierarchy of road users" classifies road users according to the danger they pose to others in the event of a collision, with the most vulnerable (for example, pedestrians and cyclists) at the top. </p><p>The Great Britain version, available in English and Welsh, applies to England, Scotland and Wales, but region-specific signs such as <a href="/facts/Driver_location_sign/k4hPMScP">driver location signs</a> in England and <a href="/facts/Bilingual_sign/u9KUJs8V">bilingual signs</a> in Scotland and Wales are not covered. There is also a <a href="/facts/Northern_Ireland/Jmr0NRyl">Northern Ireland</a> version, available in English and Irish. </p>