The government has said it has “no plans” to make the requested changes to the Highway Code in its second response to a road safety petition.
The petition, launched by Pass Wide and Slow founder Debbie Smith, asked the government to make rules 163 and 215 of the Highway Code law. This would mean drivers must only overtake when safe to do so, pass horses wide and slow, at a maximum of 15mph, and abide by riders’ requests to slow down or stop.
The government responded for the first time on 20 March, stating the government was carrying out a review of the guidance in the Highway Code and a consultation on proposed changes is planned for later this year.
The petitions committee, which is made up of MPs to consider petitions submitted, stepped in on 1 April and asked the government to provide a revised response after members felt the original response “did not directly address the request”.
Yesterday (22 April) the government responded for a second time and said it has “no plans” to make rules 163 and 215 law.
“The Highway Code already has sufficient rules in place that means drivers can be prosecuted if they put horse riders in danger,” it read.
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“All road users are required to comply with road traffic law, in the interests of their own safety and that of other road users. If road users do not adopt a responsible attitude or if their use of the highway creates an unsafe environment, or causes nuisance, they may be committing a number of offences that can make them liable for prosecution.”
The government added although the Highway Code does not itself create additional legal rights and obligations, it can be used as evidence when penalising drivers for road traffic offences.
“Failure to observe the Highway Code’s provisions may invoke penalties that can range from being fined, given penalty points on the licence, or being disqualified from driving. For more serious cases of disobeying these rules, offending drivers may be liable to criminal proceedings; in the most serious cases, they may be sent to prison.
“Enforcement of the law is a matter for the police who will decide on the evidence of each individual case, whether an offence has been committed and the appropriate action to take.”
Debbie Smith told H&H the response was “disappointing”.
“We all know the advice given in the Highway Code isn’t working,” she said.
“I believe in the petition and I still believe something can change – but we have to get it debated in parliament for that to happen.”
Debbie urged others to keep signing and sharing the petition, as if it reaches 100,000 signatures, the government will consider it for debate.
“It does get me down when someone says they don’t agree with what we have asked for, but the whole idea is to get it debated and then different changes can be discussed,” she said.
‘It’s about getting the government to talk about it – there is no point if we don’t get the government’s
“We want riders to wear cameras when they’re out and report incidents to the police – if it’s not reported then they don’t know it’s happening.”
Debbie added the Pass Wide and Slow awareness rides that had been scheduled for 10 May, but had to be postponed owing to the coronavirus, will now take place on 6 September.
“The plan is to keep going and to keep raising awareness,” she said.
We continue to publish Horse & Hound magazine weekly during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as keeping horseandhound.co.uk up to date with all the breaking news, features and more. Click here for info about magazine subscriptions (six issues for £6) and access to our premium H&H Plus content online.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Since joining H&H in 2018, Becky has covered a broad range of equestrian news including welfare matters, veterinary studies, FEI Tribunal hearings and road safety campaigns. She has also interviewed top riders including Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to name just a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, as well as the Royal Highland and Blair Castle International Horse Trials closer to home. She was also a key part of the remote reporting team for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.
