New Highway Code changes could see a “hierarchy of road users” system introduced where drivers will be more responsible for safety. Cycling freedoms will also be eased with drivers set to be advised to wait at junctions when travelling straight ahead.
But 71 percent of drivers believe that extra pedestrian priority when turning into junctions would create more conflict rather than reducing it.
More than half of those surveyed by IAM RoadSmart says that this will become a significant issue among road users.
The majority supported plans to introduce a hierarchy of road users system with 56 percent saying this was the right way forward.
However, more than a quarter say they are against the plans with one in five adding they were not convinced either way.
READ MORE: Highway Code rules are ‘being abused’ by cyclists
“[This will] ensure any amendments to the Highway Code are understood and fully adopted by the millions of existing UK drivers, motorcyclists and road users.
“At IAM RoadSmart we believe an online resource to help with this re-education in an engaging way would be helpful.
“The simple truth is that most of us don’t read the Highway Code unless we drive or ride professionally, or are about to take a test.
“The Department for Transport needs to be realistic about the impact simply changing a seldom read document will have on the behaviour and safety of road users.”
Some of the proposed changes were met with more widespread support with 63 percent agreeing that cyclists should move over to allow traffic to overtake them.
Passing distance guidelines also received support with 78 percent in favour of a one and a half meters gap between cyclists and vehicles traveling below 30mph.
A goal of 57 percent agreed with a proposal to include the Dutch Reach in the Highway Code to protect cyclists.
This will encourage road users to open their car doors with their left hands so their body spins around to check for pedestrians and cyclists.