The Highway Code has seen some major updates this week as penalties rise for dangerous driving offences.
New updates, which were made on July 27, will now enforce tougher penalties for some offences, including causing death by dangerous driving or by careless driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The maximum sentence has risen from 14 years imprisonment to a life sentence.
There is also a new offence of causing serious injury while drink-driving. This now carries the maximum sentence of two years imprisonment, an unlimited fine and a ban from driving.
The Highway code saw a major revamp back in January, with 50 rules being added or updated to 10 sections.
Here are five Highway Code changes made this year you might not know about.
1. Pedestrians have priority at junctions
New rules for pedestrians crossing at junctions state that drivers must now give way to pedestrians who are waiting to cross the road at a junction. Prior to this change, drivers only had to give priority to pedestrians once they had already started to cross the road.
This means drivers now have to wait to turn onto a minor road if someone is waiting to cross it.
2. Cyclists should position themselves in the centre of the road
When cycling, you should position yourself in the centre of your lane in three particular situations, to increase visibility.
This should be done when riding on quiet roads, or in slower moving traffic. You can move to the left to allow faster vehicles to overtake or when traffic begins to flow more quickly.
You should also remain in the centre of your lane as you approach junctions or narrow parts of roads where it would be unsafe for drivers to overtake you.
When riding on busier roads, cyclists should keep 0.5 metres away from the kerb.
There are also updated rules for people who cycle in groups. Cyclists can ride two abreast but should not exceed this, especially when in larger groups.
3. Motorists should leave space when overtaking cyclists
Drivers should leave at least 1.5 metres of space when overtaking cyclists riding up to 30mph. The code update also states that cyclists may pass slower-moving or stationary traffic on their right or left - and should proceed with caution.
4. Cyclists have priority when turning at roundabouts
The Highway Code now advises that motorists must allow cyclists to cross lanes they're in at roundabouts. Care should be taken not to cut across cyclists already on the roundabout.
5. Cyclists should ride slowly when sharing spaces with pedestrians
When cycling on foot paths should not pass people walking closely or at high speed, particularly from behind.
Cyclists riding behind pedestrians should make themselves known by ringing their bell for example.
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