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I don't understand how it can become law. Are there any other laws that tell you how to do something, as opposed to the end result? Here, the idea is that you s
by GuB-42 5y ago
I don't understand how it can become law. Are there any other laws that tell you how to do something, as opposed to the end result? Here, the idea is that you shouldn't hit cyclists with your door, and the way to achieve that is to look, and the "Dutch reach" is a good way to do it. Why isn't the law just "if you hit a cyclist with your door because you didn't look, that's your fault" instead of specifying a particular way of looking (which may be a problem if you have mobility issues).
The only thing I think may come into law is that it has to be taught in driving schools.
- DaedPsyker 5y agoIt's not a law, the highway code does contain legal requirements but it's primary purpose is as a guide, particularly to new drivers.
- zarzavat 5y agoAdditionally the Highway Code is the “textbook” for the national driving exam. New drivers have to pass a theory test that follows it closely, and may fail the practical test if they don’t follow its guidelines.
- bramblerose 5y agoAll the time, especially in low incidence high impact scenarios. You must wear a seat belt ("don't get killed in a crash"), your brake disks must be at least this thick ("you should be able to stop before your brakes fade"), you cannot use a mobile phone while driving ("you must pay attention to what's going on around you"). Concrete requirements are much easier to police, even though they may not reach the intended end goal completely (e.g. distracted driving due to hands free calling).
- KarlKemp 5y agoThere are countless examples of similar requirements. The license requirement for driving is, for example, a specific instruction how to do something. The law doesn’t just say “must be capable to safely operate a car”. I bet building codes are specific with regards to materials being used. Rules of the road require you to use turn signals to, well, signal turning, even if you could communicate the same with other means.
- adhesive_wombat 5y agoIt is (was?) a click bait headline. The Highway Code doesn't have the force of law. If something in it says "you should do X", its a recommendation. If you don't do it, it won't look good if you're in a crash and might contribute to a dangerous driving charge, but it's not outright illegal. If it says you "must not do X", then it it something illegal. However, it's not the Highway Code that makes it illegal, there's genuine legislation that the Highway Code is paraphrasing. The article doesn't bother to say which it is.
- colourgarden 5y agoThe word 'law' isn't used once in the entire article. Can the mods alter the title?
- deleted 5y ago[deleted]