The History Of The Highway Code
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Whether you drive or not, we are all considered road users, whether we are drivers, cyclists, horse rider or pedestrians. The Highway Code is generally seen by everyone as the set of guidelines and laws that determine the correct way to behave on a road.
Back in 1930 there were only around two million motor cars on the roads, and in that year alone there were well over 7000 deaths by road accidents. Which is really, a staggeringly high number of deaths, considering there were well over 20 million motor vehicles on the road in 2004 and only around 3000 deaths.
So, probably as a (direct or indirect) result of this, the Highway Code was born. Launched in 1931, it celebrated its 75th birthday in 2006, it has undergone many changes and updates over those years. For example the original version of the Code was a mere 24 pages long and contained information such as how to indicate when turning in your horse drawn carriage.
There was no mention of why driving drunk or tired was dangerous or any road signs or stopping distances and it cost one old penny. Included in the second edition, released in 1946, was advice on why you shouldnt drive drunk or tired, and the first fifteen road signs to be put out on British roads made the debut appearance, only two of which we still use today.
Stopping distances however, did not get a mention until the edition that came out in 1954, along with a further sixteen road signs, bringing the total number to 31. When compared with todays 170, its interesting to think what new signs might become commonplace on our roads in another sixty years.
The first version to include photographs and 3D images was the sixth version which came out in 1968, and these images were used to show braking distances. It also introduced the orange badges for disabled people and gave the Green Cross Code to pedestrians.
The Code was updated in the 90's to include informational guidelines to new drivers about passing their theory test. This information was subsequently included in the code itself.
The Highway Code has been adapted over the 78 years that it has been with us to become the comprehensive book on road advice, guidelines and law. One of the newest of which being the fact that you cannot use mobile phones while driving, and considering mobile phones werent invented when the Code was originally brought out, it just shows how the laws of the road have adapted and changed with society.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
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