As a pedestrian at road junctions...
The Highway Code is a book of rules for everyone who uses the road — drivers, cyclists, and people on foot. All road users in England are expected to know and follow it.
In January 2022, the Highway Code changed. Pedestrians were given stronger rights when crossing the road. This means drivers now have to be more careful and more considerate, especially at junctions.
At a junction with road markings where a car is turning
As a pedestrian, if you are waiting to cross, or already crossing, and a car wants to turn into or out of the road you are crossing, the car must give way to you. That means the driver must slow down and stop to let you cross safely before they continue.
You do not need to have stepped into the road first — simply standing at the kerb ready to cross is enough.
At a junction with no road markings or signs
Some junctions have no signs, markings or lights at all.
At these, nobody has automatic priority. Drivers should approach carefully and watch out for pedestrians. As a pedestrian, you can cross, but take extra care and make sure drivers have seen you.
At a junction with traffic lights
Everyone — drivers and pedestrians alike — must follow the lights.
What this means for drivers
A driver who fails to give way to a pedestrian at a junction can be charged with careless driving. The fine can be up to £5,000.
What this means for pedestrians
You have the right to cross – but always make sure the driver has seen you before you step out. Your rights only protect you if the driver knows you are there.
What if you are a pedestrian crossing the road and a driver beeps their horn at you?
If you are crossing legally at a junction, you have the right to finish crossing.
You do not have to hurry up or move out of the way. The driver is in the wrong, not you.
Stay calm, finish crossing safely, and do not get into a confrontation.
The Highway Code is also clear that a car horn must only be used to alert other road users to the driver's presence — not to intimidate or hurry people. Using it aggressively at a pedestrian who is legally crossing is itself a breach of the Highway Code.
If you felt genuinely threatened or intimidated, you can report the incident to the police. If you have the vehicle's registration number, the police can in theory pursue it as a case of careless or inconsiderate driving.
In reality, without other evidence such as CCTV footage, a prosecution is unlikely — but a report still creates a record. Some local councils and police forces also run online reporting tools for road behaviour, which are worth knowing about.
The most important thing is your safety. Finish crossing calmly, but do not let confidence in your rights lead you into a dangerous situation with a driver who is not paying attention.
A study published in 2025 found that only around 31% of drivers – roughly seven out of ten drivers – are still not following the rule to give way to pedestrians at junctions when turning, as required by Highway Code Rule H2:
"At a junction you should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning."
Road signage could help make these newer rules and the situation clearer. I have yet to see any signage that addresses this. Have you?
It took me 25 minutes to pull together the rough sign design at the top of this page: work through some signage options to borrow from, jot down some wording options, and then pull it together. It might not be perfect but it's a start, borrowing from on a lot of existing design patterns.
Now, if it's OK to hang missing cat notices on lampposts it must be OK to hang a "safety notice" at a ropey turning. How to get my sign design printed large enough and weatherproof enough to hang on a nearby lamppost...