Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her department has made of the potential merits of implementing clear rules on the speed and distance vehicles must maintain when passing horse riders.

The Highway Code was updated in 2022 to include changes to improve safety for people walking, cycling and riding horses, including guidance on safe passing distances and speeds and the introduction of a hierarchy of road users.

The advice on safe passing distances in Rule 163, says that motorists should “pass horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles at speeds under 10mph and allow at least 2 metres of space”.