This Highway Code applies to England, Scotland and Wales. The Highway  Code is essential reading for everyone.  The most vulnerable road users are pedestrians, particularly children,  older or disabled people, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders. It is  important that all road users are aware of The Highway Code and are  considerate towards each other. This applies to pedestrians as much as to  drivers and riders. Many of the rules in The Highway Code are legal  requirements, and if you disobey these rules you are committing a  criminal offence. You may be fined, given penalty points on your licence or  be disqualified from driving. In the most serious cases you may be sent to  prison. Such rules are identified by the use of the words ‘MUST/MUST  NOT’  . In addition, the rule includes an abbreviated reference to the  legislation which creates the offence. See an explanation of the  abbreviations.  Although failure to comply with the other rules of The Highway Code will  not, in itself, cause a person to be prosecuted, The Highway Code may be  used in evidence in any court proceedings under the Traffic Acts to  establish liability. This includes rules which use advisory wording such as  ‘should/should not’ or ‘do/do not’. Knowing and applying the rules  contained in The Highway Code could significantly reduce road casualties.  Cutting the number of deaths and injuries that occur on our roads every  day is a responsibility we all share. The Highway Code can help us  discharge that responsibility. Further information on driving/riding  highwaycodeuk.co.uk 3 