On January 29th, the Highway Code will change its rules regarding road safety for horses, cyclists and pedestrians.
The new rules will create an hierarchy of road users to prioritise those most at risk of a severe collision.
This new hierarchy is to be set out in Rule H1 that says, “It is important that ALL road users are aware of the Highway Code, are considerate to other road users and understand their responsibilities for the safety of others.
“Those in charge of vehicles that can cause the greatest harm in the event of a collision bear the greatest responsibility to take care and reduce the danger they pose to others.
“This principle applies most strongly to drivers of large goods and passenger vehicles, followed by vans/minibuses, cars/taxis and motorcycles.
“Cyclists, horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles likewise have a responsibility to reduce danger to pedestrians.
“Always remember that the people you encounter may have impaired sight, hearing or mobility, and may not be able to see or hear you.”
The new rules will take effect when passing cyclists and horses, and it will require you to reduce your speed to keep those safe. When passing cyclists, you must slow to 30mph or less, and when overtaking horses, you must slow to below 10mph.
You will also be expected to leave a greater distance when overtaking cyclists and horses. The advised space is not 1.5 meters when overtaking a cyclist and 2 meters when overtaking a horse.
Alan Hiscox, director of safety at the British Horse Society, praised the new measures saying, “People ask whether the DfT really listens to equestrians or considers us in the same way as cyclists, and I think this absolutely proves they do. I really think this will be a major step for the safety of horses on the roads,” when speaking to Horse & Hound.
The main concern of this rule change is informing every road user during a short space of time. However, the change is necessary as these road users are often overlooked and placed in harm’s way.
Whilst you may not see horses on the roads when taking driving lessons in London, you could see them in more rural areas like Epping, Leamington Spa and St Albans.
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