Important changes to the Highway Code: Everything you need to know

November 29, 2023/in /by

The changes are designed to help prevent accidents – but if you’ve ever been involved in one, Bonnar Accident Law can help

Almost two years ago, changes to the Highway Code were announced.

But despite this, many drivers remain unaware of the scale of the changes, amongst which exists a new ‘Hierarchy of Road Users’ which will prioritise the most vulnerable road users, such as cyclists and pedestrians.

This puts more responsibility on the drivers of larger vehicles, including cars, to look after the more vulnerable road users.

The aim of these changes was to improve road safety and help prevent accidents. At Bonnar Accident Law, the professionals know only too well the devastating impact a road traffic accident can have on individuals and their loved ones. Where pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are involved, unfortunately, the injuries sustained are often very serious – which is why these changes to the Highway Code are so important.

Pedestrians will have increased priority at junctions over all other road users
Pedestrians will have increased priority at junctions over all other road users (Image: Getty Images)

What are the changes?

  1. Pedestrians will have increased priority at junctions over all other road users. This includes a requirement for other road users to give way to pedestrians crossing, or waiting to cross, the road. This gives them quite a big responsibility to be aware of pedestrians, even at the side of the road, and anticipate that they may choose to cross.
  2. Cyclists can choose to ride in the centre of their lanes in certain situations, such as on quiet roads, or at the approach to junctions. Drivers should not cut across cyclists or horse riders going ahead when turning into or out of a junction, or changing direction or lane, to prevent ‘left hook’ collisions.
  3. Drivers should open their car doors using the ‘Dutch reach’ method, with the hand on the opposite side to the door they are opening. This will force drivers to turn their heads to look over their shoulders, and reduces the likelihood of hitting passing cyclists with their doors.
  4. Drivers should leave at least one and a half metres when overtaking cyclists, and more if driving above 30 miles per hour. More information is available here, or you can refresh your driving knowledge by reading over the Highway Code.
The changes mean cyclists can choose to ride in the centre of their lanes in certain situations
The changes mean cyclists can choose to ride in the centre of their lanes in certain situations (Image: Getty Images)

If you’re unfortunate enough to have been involved and injured in a road traffic accident and wish to seek advice, the specialists at Bonnar Accident Law are on hand to listen and support you. They have significant experience in handling road traffic accidents, and are well versed in both the legal requirements and advisory behaviours that road users should adhere to.

The team offer a free, no obligation initial consultation, whether by telephone, video conferencing or in person – with either a visit to your home or at their Airdrie office, serving the Lanarkshire area.

In some cases, they can act on a completely no win, no fee basis, or under Legal Aid if you qualify.

To get in touch, call the team on 01236 756188 or email them at info@bonnarandco.com.

Five Top Tips on How to Deal with Persistent Cold Callers

February 4, 2020/in , , , , /by

 

 

 

Five Top Tips on How to Deal with Persistent Cold Callers

If you’re sick of nuisance cold-callers disrupting your time, below are five top tips to help you get rid of them.

At Bonnar Accident Law, we never cold call, but unfortunately there are many others who aren’t so concerned or respectful of people’s privacy.

Cold callers are usually sales-people who have been trained to pressure you into buying their product or services.

Often, these types of cold-calling companies will have found your phone number through online forms you may have filled out. Remember to be vigilant when filling in forms online and stop to think if you’re comfortable sharing your details on a particular site.

Here are our top tips to getting get of cold callers.

  1. Take your number down, permanently. You can do this by registering with Telephone Preference Service (TPS) after which point it will be illegal for any company or business to call you without your permission. If calls persist after you register with TPS, companies will likely have your phone number from previous calls to you. Simply and firmly inform them that you are protected by the TPS and you do not wish to receive any more phone calls from them.
  2. Report unsolicited calls. If you continue to receive unsolicited calls, report the company calling to TPS on 0345 070 0707 or the Information Commissioner’s Office on 0303 123 1115.
  3. Be firm and clear. If you end up having to speak to cold caller, be firm and clear in telling them that you will report them. Ask for the company name, write down the number and time of the call and report them immediately.
  4. Block unwanted numbers. Your mobile phone should have the ability to block any unwanted numbers. If you receive a cold call from a new number, simply block it on your phone.
  5. Be careful with online forms. Take a moment to think whether you really wish to share your details with certain sites.

If you’ve been involved in an accident, speak to one of our friendly and expert solicitors today.

Headway raffle raises funds for brain injured people in Scotland

February 7, 2011/0 Comments/in , , /by

The following news release was posted today by Headway UK.

A charity that helps people rebuild their lives following brain injury has received a welcome boost from a firm of personal injury solicitors after the company donated a new car to the charity’s raffle.

Bonnar & Company Solicitors, which has offices across Scotland, has helped Headway, the brain injury association, celebrate its most successful annual raffle to date, with more than £18,000 raised.

The UK-wide charity, which has 13 groups and branches in Scotland alone, works to improve life after brain injury. Gaille McCann from Headway said the money would make a huge difference to the lives of people affected by brain injury.

“Brain injury is something that can happen to anyone at any time,” said Gaille. “We all think ‘it will never happen to me’ but the truth is it affects thousands of people every year. Indeed, every year in Scotland alone it is estimated that around 16,500 adults sustain a brain injury. The money raised by the raffle provides vital funding to help us continue our vital work and we’re very grateful to Bonnar & Company for donating such an incredible prize.”

The car, a Vauxhall Corsa 1.2l SXi, was won by Rotherham man Ian Ralph, who has supported the charity since it helped him cope when his wife sustained a brain injury.

 

Ian Ralph from Rotherham receives the keys to his brand new Vauxhall Corsa from Andy Thorogood, Bonnar & Company’s Practice Development Manager and Gaille McCann from Headway.

“You never expect to win these things when you enter,” said Ian. “I bought the tickets as a way of making a donation to Headway, which was a tremendous support to me when my wife Alison suffered a brain haemorrhage in June 2006.”

“The haemorrhage left Alison with a severe brain injury and she couldn’t communicate. It was a very difficult time for me and the whole family; not only was my wife desperately ill, but also I was trying to care for our two children, who were 12 and eight at the time, and make sense of all the forms that needed filling in.”

“It was while Alison was being cared for in a local hospice that someone from Headway first came to see me to offer emotional and practical support. They helped me with all the legal issues but more importantly understood what I was going through.”

“Sadly Alison passed away just four months after the haemorrhage but I will always be grateful for Headway’s support.”

Partner, Veronica McManus said, “Ian and his family have obviously been through a very tough time and they deserve some good news. We were delighted to present him with the car and of course help raise valuable funds for Headway.”

 

About Headway

Headway – the UK’s leading brain injury charity – provides support, services and information to brain injury survivors, their families and carers, as well as to professionals in the health and legal fields. It has more than 100 groups and branches throughout the UK.

For more information on Headway or about brain injury, visit www.headway.org.uk

 

Key facts

It is estimated that across the UK there are well over 500,000 people of working age living with permanent disabilities as a result of head injury.

Each year, around 1.4 million people attend hospital A&E in the UK following head injury.

Approximately half of deaths in people under 40 are due to head injury.

Head injury accounts for about 30 per cent of traumatic deaths and a higher proportion of long-term disability.

Men are two or three times more likely to have a brain injury than women. This increases to five times more likely in the 15-29 age range.

The major causes of head injury are road traffic accidents, falls and accidents at home or at work.

Bonnar & Co. launch Headway charity car raffle

May 21, 2010/0 Comments/in , , /by

‘Hats for Headway Day in Scotland’

Gaille McCann and Catriona MacGregor, Headway Regional Co-ordinators in Scotland help launch the Headway Car Raffle and celebrate ‘Hats for Headway’ with Bonnar & Company Solicitors in Airdrie.

Headway UK, the brain injury association, promotes understanding of all aspects of brain injury and provides information, support and services to people with a brain injury, their families and carers.

Hats For Headway Day is an annual fundraising event designed to increase awareness of brain injury and Headway’s work in the community.  

Bonnar & Company, Scotland’s leading independent firm of personal injury solicitors working solely on behalf of accident victims and their families throughout Scotland, is donating the star prize, a Vauxhall Corsa Sri, in the Headway UK raffle 2010.

The firm is also donating an ipod as an extra prize in the raffle.

Bonnar & Company Solicitors Approved by Brain Injury Charity

January 17, 2010/0 Comments/in , , /by

Bonnar & Company Solicitors are delighted to announce that the firm has been included in Headway UK’s list of approved solicitors for 2010.

 

Inclusion on the Headway list acknowledges a law firm’s expertise in handling complex, high value cases, often involving catastrophic injury.

 

Bonnar & Company, who represent clients throughout Scotland, are the only firm of solicitors in Lanarkshire to be approved by the charity and this recognition is a major achievement for the partners and staff who are dedicated to helping accident victims and their families secure their future care needs.

Veronica McManus, Partner said: ‘we handle all types of head and brain injury cases and we fully support the work of this important charity throughout Scotland. It is a great accolade for the firm to be included on the list as we had to meet Headway’s stringent membership criteria and Code of Conduct, which involved an in-depth assessment of our capability to successfully represent the interests of brain injured people and their families.’

Headway UK, The Brain Injury Association, exists to promote understanding of all aspects of brain injury and to provide information, support and services to people with a brain injury, their families and carers. For information and advice on coping with head injuries please refer to the charity’s website: www.headway.org.uk