Several major changes for road users were brought into force in 2022 as the Highway Code underwent some important updates.
Keeping on top of your knowledge is essential for drivers to ensure they avoid picking up any fines or penalty points, which could happen if you're found to be breaking any of these rules.
Major changes came about in terms of the hierarchy of road users and accident accountability, and this year could also see some updates involving electric vehicle (EV) ownership, Hull Live reports.
To help people keep up to date, experts at LeaseElectricCar.co.uk have rounded up the changes that have been made for road users over the past 12 months.
One of the most notable new rules was surrounding mobile phones when driving. It's now against the law to use your phone at all when behind the wheel, and even if you're caught just holding your device, you'll receive fine of up to £200 and six points on your licence.
The hierarchy of road users was also introduced, as pedestrians will now always have right of way, putting the greatest responsibility onto drivers of large vehicles. Tim Alcock from LeaseElectricCar.co.uk said: "There is no excuse for any of us drivers not to know any changes and amendments, however minor they are, to the Highway Code.
"You need to stay up to date with the latest laws on the road to avoid hefty fines and penalty points - if you are caught just holding your phone you could face a £200 fine and six points. One of the most important laws is the introduction of rules H1, H2, and H3 which ensures that pedestrians always have right of way when crossing at junctions and in slow moving traffic, and how drivers of larger vehicles now bear the most responsibility.
"Implementing these law changes will help to protect the more vulnerable road users, like pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders."
Rule H1, that was introduced last year, puts the greatest responsibility for any accidents onto drivers of large vehicles. This helps protect more vulnerable road users, like cyclists and pedestrians.
Anyone who's in charge of a larger vehicle, that could cause more harm if involved in an accident, carries more responsibility to stay safe.
It also states how cyclists and horse riders need to make sure they are accommodating and wary of pedestrians.
Rule H2 in the Highway Code makes it clear pedestrians now always have the right of way on a road drivers are turning into.
This means vehicles will need to be more aware when turning into a road that a pedestrian is crossing over, or when driving down a road with slow-moving traffic.
Similarly, rule H3 tells drivers and motorbike users when they are turning - priority should be given first and foremost to cyclists and horse riders.
Ideally, motorists should wait until there's a safe gap before turning into these roads to give enough time for anyone else to pass.
Scotland could also soon be seeing new rules surrounding EV charging points.
The Scottish Government laid out a proposal for all new-build homes to have a plug-in point for electric cars, in order to future-proof Scotland's homes and help transition to a net-zero transport system.
It comes after it was announced the UK would ban the manufacture of any new petrol or diesel cars from 2030.
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