Highway Code proves a closed book

Half of drivers say they have forgotten all about the Highway Code since passing their driving test – and only a third have bothered to refer to it since becoming fully fledged motorists, a new study reveals.

A poll of 3,000 drivers asked them how much they considered the Highway Code – and tested them on their knowledge of the contents of the book.

About 70 per cent admitted they only learned the Highway Code to pass their driving theory test, while half said that they remember none or just the odd bit of it now.

Overall, those questioned answered 55 per cent of the answers correctly – but some questions proved to be easier than others.

As many as 88 per cent – 96 per cent in Scotland – knew the speed limit on motorways is still 70mph, but only one in five knew that drivers should not use their horn between 11:30pm and 7:00am.

Other questions which proved difficult were to name the correct stopping distance at 30mph – only 39 per cent knew it was 23 metres.

And only 30 per cent knew that red cats eyes mark the left hand side of a road.

Brian Martin, managing director at elephant.co.uk which conducted the poll, said: “The results of our mini test suggest the Highway Code is something most motorists only read in order to pass their driving theory test.

“The results were hit and miss, and it is concerning how few drivers remember some fairly basic rules of the road.”

Although men scored better than women in the test – at 56 per cent to 55 per cent – more women than men said they passed their theory test first time; 76 per cent of women compared with 71 per cent of men.

However, the research did find that more than two thirds believe it is important to know the code in order to be a good driver – and almost half of those questioned think motorists should be retested on the Highway Code on a regular basis.

“It’s good to see so many drivers appreciate that knowledge of the Highway Code is important to helping you to be a better driver,” added Mr Martin. “Although I doubt there will be any plans soon for the government to re-test motorists on their knowledge of it soon.”

A spokesman for the Institute of Advanced Motorists said. “We recommend the Highway Code for all advanced driving candidates before they take their IAM test.

“It’s hard to remember every sign, so it’s a good idea to have an up-to-date copy for reference. That way, when you see a sign you can’t identify, you can check it afterwards.”

But Andrew Howard, head of road safety at motoring organisation the AA, said the sheer size of the Code made it impossible for drivers to learn.

“One of the things we have got these days is that the Highway Code gets bigger and bigger every year,” he said.

The current edition contains a massive 307 rules, while the version of the book published in 1966 had just 94.

“If you want to get people to read it, this needs to be addressed,” said Mr Howard.

“Perhaps the time has come for a shorter Highway Code to be published – perhaps people need to learn the full one for a driving theory test, but the shorter one could be for existing drivers to refresh their memories.”

He added: “I am surprised that as many as 12 per cent didn’t get the motorway speed limit right, although it could be that, as so many motorways now have a lower speed limit in places, there is some confusion.”