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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

202 replies

01iv30i1 · 08/01/2022 14:53

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.

OP posts:
fairylightsandwaxmelts · 08/01/2022 15:53

@01iv30i1

There literally aren’t take over spaces in our lanes and there are often several riding in groups.
In which case, they'll stop and you can pass as far away from them as possible - the same as what happens now.

You're overthinking this WAY too much.

Original poster
01iv30i1 · 08/01/2022 15:54

We all do that. It’s when you can’t for several miles.

OP posts:
CasperGutman · 08/01/2022 15:58

YABU. I've driven on plenty of rural roads, and lived for twenty years in a village down a single track lane. I've never overtaken a horse on a single track road. Wait for the horse and rider to turn off, or for the rider to stop in a gateway and signal fore to pass.

Original poster
01iv30i1 · 08/01/2022 15:58

That’s interesting because I’ve read other things online from horse groups saying it’s must and you must wait if can’t.

Those guidelines if the correct ones aren’t saying that. So you could overtake under 2 if completely into hedge and don’t need to wait?

Some riders have cameras. I don’t want to get into trouble.

OP posts:
Daftasabroom · 08/01/2022 15:59

@01iv30i1 I can't believe there is any single track road in the UK where the passing spaces are "miles" apart. Just treat horses as you would a cyclist. If they're going in the same direction wait till they reach a passing space, they pull over, you pass. If they are coming towards you, find a slightly wider bit of road and stop, it's then up to the rider or cyclist to pass you or back track to a passing space. Do you really live in the country???

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 08/01/2022 15:59

@01iv30i1

Well I will be paying attention as don’t want to get into trouble.
Getting into trouble is not the reason I leave as much space as possible between a cyclist/rider and my car. Hmm
RoyalFamilyFan · 08/01/2022 15:59

I suspect all those saying it is fine to have no idea how wide 2 metres is. It is 6 and a half feet.
I pass wide a slow past horses. But where some of my family live in the countryside there are miles and miles of lanes where 2 cars can go on the road, but you could not leave 2 metres between a car and a horse. Nobody is going to crawl behind a horse for 30 minutes.

RoyalFamilyFan · 08/01/2022 16:00

[quote Daftasabroom]@01iv30i1 I can't believe there is any single track road in the UK where the passing spaces are "miles" apart. Just treat horses as you would a cyclist. If they're going in the same direction wait till they reach a passing space, they pull over, you pass. If they are coming towards you, find a slightly wider bit of road and stop, it's then up to the rider or cyclist to pass you or back track to a passing space. Do you really live in the country???[/quote]
I am not talking about single track roads. Two-track lanes are not wide enough to allow this much space.

liveforsummer · 08/01/2022 16:02

@01iv30i1

There literally aren’t take over spaces in our lanes and there are often several riding in groups.
No gateways to fields etc?
Original poster
01iv30i1 · 08/01/2022 16:02

Daftasabroom

Um yes I do in an area with very narrow roads. You don’t great. I do.

OP posts:
Original poster
01iv30i1 · 08/01/2022 16:03

liveforsummer

Not on some routes no.

OP posts:
Original poster
01iv30i1 · 08/01/2022 16:04

BeingATwatItsABingThing

Me neither. I leave as much space as possible to be safe but if that isn’t enough I don’t want to get into trouble.

OP posts:
Hedgesfullofbirds · 08/01/2022 16:10

Oh come on! There isn't going to be a copper lurking behind every bush waiting to 'catch' you if you pass a horse and rider, or a walker, or dog walker, at 1.99metres, rather that 2 metres! Use a bit of pragmatism and common sense, drive responsibly and safely in respect of other road users and all will be well!

Not that I am advocating irresponsible behaviour, but rules are made for the guidance of the wise and the obedience of fools

Chely · 08/01/2022 16:13

I'll never get anywhere, often get stuck behind horse and cart round these parts.

2DogsOnMySofa · 08/01/2022 16:18

If you don't have the room and it's not safe to overtake then you should wait until you can over take safely. The same for cyclists.

Do you also realise that you shouldn't ever overtake a vehicle that's gritting the roads, that would make for interesting driving on motorways or A roads during the winter. If you read the Highway Code cover to cover there are probably lots of things you shouldn't do that you do, do.

It's about being sensible op. I'm sure if you couldn't overtake a horse, they would move into a gateway whenever they could to let you pass... or you just wait... I live rurally and if on a narrow lane and I come behind a horse I simply wait until I can overtake safely.

RoyalFamilyFan · 08/01/2022 16:19

I don't think most people are understanding how wide 2 metres actually is.

Wonnle · 08/01/2022 16:25

I live in the country and use lanes probably overtake a horse or two every couple of months and o drive past a riding school twice a day during the week

FatFredsFriedEgg · 08/01/2022 16:25

Do you also realise that you shouldn't ever overtake a vehicle that's gritting the roads, that would make for interesting driving on motorways or A roads during the winter.

This isn't true.

LondonQueen · 08/01/2022 16:26

I'm sure it won't take you hours OP. Maybe you should hand your license in and cycle? However, just a reminder that the highway code is not a law and just guidance. Some of the guidance may also be covered by law, but I don't believe this is. You'd be stupid to leave less than 2 metres though.

ErrolTheDragon · 08/01/2022 16:26

I'm amazed anyone would contemplate passing a horse closer than 2 metres.

The other week, we were walking along the local lane ; a horse coming towards us suddenly got spooked and turned at right angles across the carriageway. Fortunately the car coming up behind it was doing so sensibly.
It turned out the horse had taken sudden exception to a pair of miniature goats peacefully grazing in the field next to the road.

WhatScratch · 08/01/2022 16:28

’I'm amazed anyone would contemplate passing a horse closer than 2 metres’

This ^

ErrolTheDragon · 08/01/2022 16:29

@RoyalFamilyFan

I don't think most people are understanding how wide 2 metres actually is.
It's about the same length as the horse standing sideways across the carriageway.
RoyalFamilyFan · 08/01/2022 16:31

@ErrolTheDragon Yes and if you need that amount of space in between the horse and car, you can't pass on any two-track lanes with narrow lanes. Basically in the countryside I know, you could only overtake once you turn into dual carriageawys.