New Highway Code rule of 2 metres between cars and horses for overtaking

[01iv30i1]

If not possible you must wait.

Those of us who live and use country lanes with no alternative are now going to take hours to get anywhere.

I honestly think whoever they got to update the Highway Code has never driven a car and hates motorists. I speak as an avid pedestrian of and only recent driver.

To overtake a horse safely it needs to be wide and slow.

Your impatiences to get passed doesn’t make it safer!

I live rurally.

I have been driving for 30 + years.

I manage to leave a 2m gap fine.

I'm not stupid enough to think I can overtake a horse on a single track road.

Seems fine to me - I wouldn't want to give a Horse and Rider less than 2 metres of clear space. If there isn't 2 metres, I can wait.

I'm a supporter of decent passing distance. Cars whizzing past a few centimetres from my elbow when I am running or cycling make me very nervous. But this sounds over the top. On country lanes I pass horses at the safest point and very slowly but there can't always be two metres. This could cause huge tailbacks round here (country lanes, lots of horses but inside the M25 so lots of traffic).

Really, the road I have to take to work isn't more than 3m wide and has a stables on it hence passing horses at least 3 times a week. No issues from the riders ever how I pass (same few) but it's not 2m

Hours?
Don’t be a dick OP

Yabvu.

If you can't bring yourself to pass horses wide and slow, you shouldn't be driving on the roads at all.

I live in the country too, and can honestly say this really isn't that big of a deal - I already do it.

I would think most riders would stop in the next available gateway or junction (even if it is just one piddly lane joining another) so you can go past rather than having somebody trundling up their arse for miles on end, believe me the rider doesn't want that any more than the motorist. But they don't want an accident either so overall this is a good thing in my opinion (rural dweller, horsey type but also prone to rattling round the lanes with a livestock trailer on the back).

Gosh I’d always give a horse 2m! Unless actually stationary or inching past at less than walking pace in a driveway or something.

That said I will continue to do as I do, I see these riders frequently, I'll let you know if they start carrying tape measures

Think about your paintwork. And the length of a horse's leg!

If you’re stupid enough to overtake a horse with less than two metres gap then you shouldn’t be driving on country roads at all.

Hours? Are you trying to overtake at the Grand National?

We live rurally and I've always left that distance for horses. Just basic common sense, isn't it?

Total nonsense to say it's going to cost you hours.

You've given yourself away as an idiot by so massively overstating your case.

I live rurally. It's literally never taken me more than seconds to safely pass horses. I give them at least 2m anyway and/or stop to let them pass. They are flight animals and easily startled but they also have the right to use the roads.

People like you are the reason the roads are so lethal to all non-car traffic :(

I've lived in horse country almost all my life and I've never left less than about that - horses are unpredictable buggers and I don't want the hassle of dealing with repairs to my car!

Usually riders are okay about stepping into field entrances etc to let cars pass on narrow lanes, so it's never long before you can get back up to regular speed.

Hold on a minute. I always leave a huge gap under 10 miles an hour. I live in an area of very thin country lanes. They are the only roads. I am pretty sure if you allow exactly 2 metres or over,the width of the horse and a car they will not be sufficient to over take. Going several miles behind a strolling horse will take ages. It’s not about being impatient. It’s impractical.

Both our cars are almost 2 metres in width, then you have the 2 metre gap and then the width of the horse. Our lanes aren’t that wide.

Remember that in 2020 the government told people to maintain 2m social distancing, even though 1m would have been adequate. The reason? People don't actually have a clue how big a metre is, so when told 2m they at least kept 1m away. The same will happen here, with the odd lunatic passing at high speed 2ft away as they always did.

I think some of you are overestimating the width you give. I give a huge width with happy waving owners. I’m not sure it’s 2 metres though It can’t be.

Doesn't the actual proposed legislation use the phrase 'as a guide'? If you're in a situation where you're unable to follow that guidance then you just get as close to it as you can, surely.

I live rurally too with loads of narrow lanes and I've always managed to pass with two metres of space. I also ride myself and have never been overtaken with less than a decent 2m gap.

Horse riders aren't completely inconsiderate - we will stop where possible and move over as far as we can if not.

I always go entirely onto the other side of the road when overtaking a horse or cyclist as far as I possibly can so this rule doesn’t make a difference to me.

My issue is when there is a pack of cyclists meaning, even going entirely on the other side of the road, I can’t possibly leave a big enough gap. Very frustrating but I never take risks when overtaking.

I leave as much space as possible and if it's too narrow, wait for the rider to get into a gateway. It really isn't an issue and shouldn't need to be spelled out to people. But I suppose the people who took care will continue to do so, and those who wouldn't still won't.

@daimbarsatemydogsbone

Seems fine to me - I wouldn't want to give a Horse and Rider less than 2 metres of clear space. If there isn't 2 metres, I can wait.

This. Wait till it's clear then overtake slow and wide. I live in rurally, with windy roads and horses and it's normally just a few minutes to get past a horse safely or they tuck in to a layby and wave you past.