UK Transport Secretary launches the Highway Code as iPhone app

UK Transport Secretary, Justine Greening, has marked the 81st year of the Highway Code by launching it as an interactive application for smartphones. One of the country’s most iconic publications, the Highway Code is the official road user guide for England, Wales and Scotland. The first edition was published in 1931 and currently over one million copies of the book are sold each year. The publication contains 306 numbered rules and nine annexes, covering pedestrians, animals, cyclists, motorcyclists and drivers. As well as the rules and annexes, there is information on road signs, road markings, vehicle markings and road safety. The annexes contain information on vehicle maintenance, license requirements, documentation, penalties and vehicle security. Many of the rules in the Code are legal requirements, which, if disobeyed, result in a criminal offence being committed. In addition, the rules include an abbreviated reference to the legislation which creates the offense.

The new app for the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch includes the complete contents of the Highway Code with a search facility making it easy to find rules and information. There are also interactive features, such as quizzes, a stopping distance calculator and a tool to help users identify road signs. The Code is already free to read online, can be downloaded as an ebook and there are also Facebook and Twitter accounts offering regular topical reminders. Launching the new app, Greening said, “With more and more of us using smartphones and other devices, it’s vital that products like the Highway Code adapt to be as accessible as possible. The app makes it easier for everyone to keep their knowledge up to date and is a great example of how new technology can help to improve road safety. The Highway Code has been helping to save lives for more than 80 years and, with innovations like this, I am confident it will do so for many more to come.” The Highway Code is published by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA), an executive body of the UK’s Department for Transport (DfT).

16 May 2012