The Department for Transport (DfT) is launching a nationwide 2026 campaign to raise awareness of significant 2022 Highway Code changes that prioritize pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders over motor vehicles. These changes introduced a Hierarchy of Road Users, mandating drivers and cyclists to yield to vulnerable road users at junctions and crossings, with penalties up to £2,500 and penalty points for violations. Despite these rules, many drivers remain unaware or non-compliant, contributing to a rise in pedestrian fatalities, which increased by 6% from 2022 to 2023.

Alongside this campaign, the DfT’s new Road Safety Strategy—the first in over a decade—proposes further measures including lower drink-driving limits, enhanced novice driver training, and mandatory eye tests for elderly drivers. The strategy emphasizes lifelong road safety education and plans to publish national guidance and manuals to support ongoing learning. The DfT acknowledges the need for continued efforts to embed these changes and improve public compliance, using the THINK! campaign and partnerships to promote safer behavior for all road users.