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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 16:31

@01iv30i1

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.

Who do you think would tell you off and for what?

If there isn't physically space for you to pass with two metres, then logic dictates you just pass with as much space as you possibly can, with the riders getting as close to the verge/wall/side of the road as possible.

BoredZelda · 08/01/2022 16:36

It’s when you can’t overtake for several miles. You can’t now if you can’t leave 2 metres.

2m is guidance, added because too many fuckwits leave no space at all.

If you are on a road where 2 cars can pass, there is enough space to give 2 m space when you pass.

Ariela · 08/01/2022 16:37

@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.

If you don't like it, join the BHS and help campaign for more off-road routes.
RoyalFamilyFan · 08/01/2022 16:38

@BoredZelda

It’s when you can’t overtake for several miles. You can’t now if you can’t leave 2 metres.

2m is guidance, added because too many fuckwits leave no space at all.

If you are on a road where 2 cars can pass, there is enough space to give 2 m space when you pass.

No there is not enough space to leave 2 metres to pass. You need a road about 3 car widths to do that.
CovidCorvid · 08/01/2022 16:40

@Cuck00soup

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.

Same here. Doesn’t take me hours to get anywhere. Horse riders generally pull in as soon as they can. So what if you have to wait a few minutes.
ErrolTheDragon · 08/01/2022 16:41

[quote RoyalFamilyFan]@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.[/quote]
That's complete and utter bollocks. (I live in the countryside).

RoyalFamilyFan · 08/01/2022 16:43

No, it is not.
People are talking about not overtaking a horse on a single track lane. Of course, you don't do that, it would be bloody stupid.
But in the countryside I know best virtually all roads are 2 track, but narrow lanes. You cant leave 2 metres between a horse and a car. You would need the road to be the width of 3 average cars to do that.

Babamamananarama · 08/01/2022 16:44

Oh OP you are being ridiculous.
I live very rurally (Cornwall) where lots of the roads are very narrow with very high banks. When you meet a car coming in the other direction, one of you has to reverse into the most recent passing place. This can add time onto a journey but you build it in. When you meet a horse it's basically the same deal - one of you tucks into a passing place and the other edges past slowly.

A horse can pivot and kick a LOT further than 2 metres if it's frightened, so I have no idea why you'd want to pass them closer than that unless you give no shits about your bodywork or the lives of horse and rider.

daisychain01 · 08/01/2022 16:46

@01iv30i1

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.
I live in a very rural location, where the B Roads are twisty and narrow, so I have many years' experience of these kind of conditions. I can count on the fingers of 1 hand the actual number of times passing a horse has been necessary. You're overestimating how often this is going to happen. If it's a handful of times then just accept its a rural location and nowhere you're travelling to is going to be that vital that you can't hold back and yes maybe use up a total of 5 minutes of your life (wow) to get to a stage in the road that allows you to give safe clearance to the horse and rider.
Original poster
01iv30i1 · 08/01/2022 16:48

No I’m not. We leave near 2 very big stables. Groups are out a lot.

OP posts:
RoyalFamilyFan · 08/01/2022 16:48

@daisychain01 it depends where you live. My family live in an area with lots of rich incomers who all buy horses.

daisychain01 · 08/01/2022 16:49

I'm also a daily cyclist and numerous times a car will sandwich themselves between me and an oncoming vehicle to squeeze past just so they save a nanosecond of their journey time. Utter madness.

Original poster
01iv30i1 · 08/01/2022 16:50

I would often pass 3 groups or so and it’s on my journey to work which I do need to get to on time. I also have children to pick up and other commitments on the return journey.

OP posts:
daisychain01 · 08/01/2022 16:50

Let me rush and grab the world's smallest violin @RoyalFamilyFan

daisychain01 · 08/01/2022 16:51

@01iv30i1

I would often pass 3 groups or so and it’s on my journey to work which I do need to get to on time. I also have children to pick up and other commitments on the return journey.
Leave earlier.
ErrolTheDragon · 08/01/2022 16:54

But in the countryside I know best virtually all roads are 2 track, but narrow lanes. You cant leave 2 metres between a horse and a car. You would need the road to be the width of 3 average cars to do that.

Even narrow roads always have some wider points. Otherwise it'd be impossible for agricultural vehicles to use them. Your contention that you've nothing other than lanes entirely only wide enough for two cars to squeeze past and dual carriageways is not credible.

RoyalFamilyFan · 08/01/2022 16:55

@ErrolTheDragon sure I am lying.
Or just maybe tractors and similar make cars go up on verges to pass. Happens all the time.

Original poster
01iv30i1 · 08/01/2022 16:56

Nice.I’m already trying to get to work for 8 and have a long commute.

Clearly the 2 metres isn’t mandatory as horse groups are saying. It’s if you can so I won’t have to and if I leave as much as I can it will do.

OP posts:
RoyalFamilyFan · 08/01/2022 16:57

Anyway, no matter, I will carry on doing what I do and will never overtake on single-track roads, and will pass as safely as I can on narrow two-track roads. I won't be leaving 2 metres.

lljkk · 08/01/2022 16:57

Let us know how you get on ,OP. You can use this thread as start of a blog, how many riders/groups did you pass on a journey of how many miles, how closely, how much earlier you have to leave for each journey etc.

Heck, maybe you'll join the riders & get your own pony.

RoyalFamilyFan · 08/01/2022 16:58

Maybe OP is like me and one of the plebs who cant afford their own pony.

Original poster
01iv30i1 · 08/01/2022 16:59

RoyalFamilyFan
Me neither and clearly that’s ok. I’m glad that has been clarified.

OP posts:
FatFredsFriedEgg · 08/01/2022 17:00

[quote RoyalFamilyFan]@ErrolTheDragon sure I am lying.
Or just maybe tractors and similar make cars go up on verges to pass. Happens all the time.[/quote]
Are these special on-road-only horses that can't go on verges to let cars past then?

RoyalFamilyFan · 08/01/2022 17:01

I have never seen a horse rider go on a verge when passing a car.

MaybeHeIsMyCat · 08/01/2022 17:02

@RoyalFamilyFan

Maybe OP is like me and one of the plebs who cant afford their own pony.
People who are out riding horses aren't all rich. Most are skint because all the money goes on their horses. Also, just because they're riding one, doesn't mean they own it!