Highway Code flags up electric car trip hazard

ELECTRIC car drivers are being warned not to cause trip hazards for pedestrians with charging cables in wide-sweeping changes to the Highway Code.

The adjustments, coming into force today, also encourage electric and plug-in hybrid drivers to ‘display a warning sign’ while charging cars.

They should park as close as possible to on-street chargers to avoid trailing cables and tripping people over, the code states. When finished, cables and connectors should be ‘neatly’ returned. The steps could help ward off potential injury claims.

The problem of cables left strewn across pavements is likely to become contentious with the expansion of charging infrastructure to meet demand.

It is the first time advice for electric car drivers has been included in the code. Other changes have been labelled a ‘power grab’ for cyclists, advised to ride two abreast and in the middle of the road.

The changes have officially been little-publicised by the Government – with a £500,000 awareness campaign not getting under way until next month.

It has led to claims of mayhem to come on the roads and allegations that Whitehall is bringing in the changes ‘by stealth’.