Evaluation Findings
Progressive Partnership’s key summary findings cover 34 slides, featured within the appendices.
The key learning identified by Cycling Scotland includes:
- 3 in 4 drivers say they know the Highway Code well, but only half are aware of changes introduced in 2022
- 40% of drivers have not looked at the Highway Code since passing their test – the majority of those surveyed passed their test at least 20 years ago
- In questions relating to the Highway Code, drivers scored an average 63% (the pass rate for the theory test is 86%)
- Younger drivers (age 17 to 34) achieved a lower score than older drivers (age 35+)
- Knowledge of the Highway Code around people walking and cycling is particularly weak. For example just 21% of respondents correctly identified that it is legal to filter in slow moving traffic, and only half of drivers could correctly prioritise modal type in the hierarchy of road users
- 36% of drivers surveyed also cycle. More than 10% of drivers surveyed do not agree it is important to prioritise the safety of people cycling (equivalent to ~300,000 vehicle drivers across Scotland).
The survey included specific questions on interactions at junctions, including giving priority when turning left. This allowed for comparison between survey responses and actual behaviours at identified junctions.
Between the attitudinal responses and observed behaviours there was a reasonable correlation, particularly for interactions between people driving and people cycling. However, in less than half of interactions were people driving observed to give priority to people walking across side roads (including those already crossing, and those waiting to cross).
“When turning into / out of a side street I always check for and give way to other road users such as people walking and cycling”. 79% agree and drivers gave way in 71.1% of relevant interactions at junctions.
“Drivers should not cut across vulnerable road users going straight ahead when they are turning into or out of a junction”. 95% agree and drivers gave way to people cycling in 85% of relevant interactions at junctions.
“At a junction, drivers should give way to pedestrians, whether they are crossing or waiting to cross a road”. 78% agree and drivers gave way to people walking in 43.2% of relevant interactions at junctions.
A summary of all interactions observed is included at the end of this report: