Road Traffic Act 1972

37 The Highway Code

(1) The Highway Code shall continue to have effect subject however to revision in accordance with subsection (2) below.

(2) The Secretary of State may from time to time revise the Highway Code by revoking, varying, amending or adding to the provisions thereof in such manner as he thinks fit.

(3) Any alterations proposed to be made in the provisions of the Highway Code on a revision thereof shall, as soon as prepared by the Secretary of State, be laid before both Houses of Parliament, and the revised Code shall not be issued until the proposed alterations have been approved by both Houses.

(4) Subject to subsection (3) above, the Secretary of State shall cause the Highway Code and every revised edition thereof to be printed and may cause copies thereof to be sold to the public at such price as he may determine.

(5) A failure on the part of a person to observe a provision of the Highway Code shall not of itself render that person liable to criminal proceedings of any kind, but any such failure may in any proceedings (whether civil or criminal, and including proceedings for an offence under this Act, the [1960 c. 16.] Road Traffic Act 1960 or the [1967 c. 76.] Road Traffic Regulation Act 1967) be relied upon by any party to the proceedings as tending to establish or to negative any liability which is in question in those proceedings.

(6) In this section "the Highway Code" means the code comprising directions for the guidance of persons using roads issued and revised under section 45 of the [1930 c. 43.] Road Traffic Act 1930 or section 74 of the Road Traffic Act 1960.