One of the UK's biggest selling non-fiction books celebrates its 75th anniversary on 14 April 2006. The Highway Code has been used by millions of motorists over decades as a definitive guide to the law and good practice on Britain's roads. The Highway Code is a code of directions for the guidance of persons using roads, and was originally issued under the Road Traffic Act 1930. It is being revised to reflect legislative changes and to insert additional information, where appropriate, to promote better road safety. This will be the first major revision since 1999. On average about one million copies are sold each year.
A great deal has changed since it was first published in 1931 for the price of one old penny. Cat eyes, seatbelts and driving tests have all made vital contributions to road safety. In 1931, there were only 2.3 million vehicles in Great Britain but over 7,000 people were killed on our roads. Now there are more than 30 million vehicles in Britain but the number of people killed each year has halved to around 3,500 - a number that the Government is committed to reduce.
In the first edition there was no mention of mirrors and drivers were advised to sound their horn when over-taking. Over one third of the 24-page booklet described various hand signals used by motorists and the police. These days hand signals takes up only one page in a 93-page edition, which costs £1.99.
Road Safety Minister Stephen Ladyman said:
"The Highway Code is essential reading for everyone who uses the roads. The rigorous, sensible guidance has been responsible for saving lives over more than seven decades and I look forward to seeing it continue to be the definitive guide for pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and drivers for years to come."
Originally issued by the Ministry of Transport, the Highway Code is now published by the Department for Transport and is currently being updated by the Driving Standards Agency. A consultation period with road safety organisations and interested parties ends on 12 May. It is expected that the new, updated version will be out next spring.
The Highway Code - An Historical Perspective 1929 The first report of the Royal Commission on Transport (The control of Traffic on Roads) recommended that "The Ministry of Transport should issue a 'Code of Customs' for the education and guidance of all users of the Highway". In the late 1920s, over 7000 people a year were being killed in road traffic accidents in Great Britain, including over 3500 pedestrians.
1930 First Road Traffic Act provided for a Highway Code (directions for the guidance of persons using roads) to be made available by Secretary of State.
14 April 1931 The first edition of the Highway Code launched by the Rt Hon Herbert Morrison MP the then Minister of Transport. Price Id. This edition included advertisements.
1935 Second edition published, price Id. Advertisements dropped from Code. Rules numbered and illustrations of some traffic signs included. First reference to pedestrian crossings.
1946 Third edition published, price Id.
1954 Fourth edition published, price Id. Colour printing introduced. Traffic signs section extended (including school crossing patrol and direction signs). First illustration of a Zebra crossing.
1959 Fifth edition published, price 6d. Illustrations included with rules for first time. New section on motorway driving. (First motorway opened in 1959)
1969 Sixth edition published, price Is 3d. Advice on lines and lanes, junctions, parking, use of lights, roundabouts and zebra crossings expanded. First mention of flashing green and amber lights a light controlled pedestrian crossings. Examples of traffic signs and road markings greatly increased.
1974 Proposals for a new Highway Code issued in the form of a Green Paper to allow wide consultation.
1978 Seventh edition published, price 25p, following full revision. Green Cross Code included, as well as advice to wear seat belt and not to drive after drinking or under the influence of drugs.
1987 Eighth edition published, price 60p. Main amendments include expansion of advice on alcohol and seat belts/child safety in cars, new advice to motorcyclists to use dipped headlights and advice on the use of car telephone.
October 1991 Consultation document issued for a revision of the Highway Code.
19 January 1993 Ninth edition launched following major review of content and design. Price increased to 99p. Number of people killed on our roads reduced to under 4600 per year. Sales of the Highway Code in excess of 1.5 million per year.
November 1997 Consultation document issued for a revision of the Highway Code
26 February 1999 Tenth edition launched following major review of content, price and design. Price increased to £1.49. Number of people killed on our roads reduced to under 3,600.
2001 Sixth impression with amendments issued.
2003 Eleventh impression issued with, for the first time, the official HC logo on the front cover.
May 2004 Revised edition published to take account of legislative changes, including regulations on the use of mobile phones.
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is an executive agency of the Department for Transport, and is part of the Driver, Vehicle and Operator (DVO) group of organisations within the Department. DSA's aim is to promote road safety through improving driving standards, testing drivers and riders fairly and efficiently, maintaining the registers of Approved Driving Instructors and Large Goods Vehicle Instructors and supervising basic training for learner motorcyclists. The DSA is one of the first Government Agencies to introduce an online booking service. Candidates can book their theory and practical tests directly at the DSA link below.
A document called the History of the Highway Code containing some key moments in driving history can be found on the DSA website at the link at the bottom of the page.
Related Linkswww.dsa.gov.uk
