More than half (55%) of UK drivers have not read the Highway Code since passing their driving test, a new survey has revealed, although it has been revised 24 times in the last nine years alone, says Go.Compare.
The majority (83%) of respondents passed their driving test over a decade ago, making this a major concern for the nation’s road safety.
The Highway Code has been updated on 24 separate occasions since 2015, with multiple sections being amended, changed, or added in each review.
The 2003 ban on hand-held phones was altered in 2022 to make it illegal even to touch a mobile while driving, with the consequence being a fine of up to £1,000 and six penalty points. Also in 2022 a new hierarchy of road users was implemented, which made drivers of larger vehicles more responsible for the safety of more vulnerable road users.
The study, led by Go.Compare car insurance, revealed that male drivers are more likely to keep on top of road rules and regulations. Since passing their driving test, 51% of men have revisited the Highway Code, compared to 38% of women.
Older drivers were also the most keen to stay informed of the latest Highway Code updates. 60% of motorists aged over 60 have re-read the Highway Code since passing their test. Meanwhile, only 44% of 40 to 59-year-olds claimed the same, as did just under a third (30%) of drivers aged 25 to 39.
Shockingly, three-quarters of 18 to 24-year-olds have not read the Highway Code since passing their test. Young drivers with less experience on the roads are more prone to accidents, but knowing the rules of the road helps to reduce this risk.