Whats the difference between overtaking a learner driver and a horse?

Question

My question is not a joke.
How do you overtake a horse?.....Pass slow and wide with minimal noise and disturbance for the horse. This is the realistic answer, correct? Drivers have respect for the horses and riders because the horse may spook and cause and accident, correct?

So, the point of the question is now as follows.....

Why dont people treat learners with the same amount of respect and courtesy? If a learner driver gets spooked are they not a danger? Could they not steer erratically or brake to stop suddenly and unpredictably, thus causing a crash? It is impossible to stop a learner from braking harshly in a situation of panic!

So, why do people allow themselves to antagonise and intimidate the learners? Why drive so close? Why overtake dangerously? Why sound the horn if they stall?

You wouldn't to a horse would you? Or would you? Think about it.

(I am NOT having a dig at horse riders at all, just painting a picture and creating a scenario)

Answer 1

very true porse, people tend to forget that they once were learner drivers and maybe a bit more nervous on the street than what they are now, but people are always in such a rush nowdays and some not all have no consideration for other drivers.

this also happens outside of driving, maybe its the cashiers first day on the local supermarket, and is not whizzing your shopping through her magic eye at the speed of light, or the guy behind the desk is not typing your train ticket details fast enough, people should put their brains in gear before they put their gobs in motion

Answer 2

I dont really come across many horses where i stay but if and when i do i leave plenty room because i sure dont want it to get spooked and the rider to fall in front of my car - i do the same with learners - you never know how long the driver has been learning for, if they are on their first few lessons then they are more likely to make a mistake so i stay well back (for example just in case they cant find the right gear and slow down without braking - its happened to us all when we were learning) - i also give plenty room to learners because i hate anyone being right up my exhaust when i am driving, it is intimidating, so why would i do that to any other driver out there whether they are a learner or not??? If a learner stalls then so what - we all stall from time to time so why get irate about it - sounding your horn only makes them more nervous and agitated so the more you sound your horn the longer they take to move off.

People need to be more tolerant and patient and show respect to every driver on the road not just learners

Answer 3

That is a very good question.........I think people do not show as much respect to new drivers because unless they have a new driver sticker, they just think the person behind the wheel is incompetent.........also people are quick to get angry at anyone holding them up...or any hesitation.....the student driver stereotype also has some influence.
Also, about the horse thing, Although your answer is correct, it is almost never followed. I have been riding along the road with a friend and cars have passed, not all that wide either wide, and they usually don't slow down. In fact, I have seen a couple speed up as they go by. There was an incident this fox hunting hunt season where a hunt field (with a lot of hounds and riders) was traveling along the road. One of the mounted staff had stopped the traffic. One of the cars on the line got so mad that the driver tried to pass the cars in front of him. He ended up hitting the staff and his mount. Don't get me wrong, some do slow down to a nice speed and wave, and even a few stop to make sure it is okay for them to go.....However, the ones that don't slow down, or speed up infuriate me with their ignorance and impatience. Unfortunately, the only way to make a horse road safe is to ride him on the rode. People need to understand that not all horses on the road are used to it, and they need to slow and pass wide and quietly. A spooked horse cold not only injure the rider, but a horse can do some serious damage to a car too.
The difference....a horse should be approached with caution, and a new driver should be approached with understanding.

Answer 4

The answer to overtaking a learner, the learner is normally driving in a built up area and as you should know you do not overtake in a built up area. And if he is in the open road his Instructor must be sure he is able to drive there. The horse, rare you will see a horse in towns except for those big guys the police have and they are pretty well used to traffic but you still slow down, and always slow in the country for the horse and rider.

Answer 5

Most horses you see on the road nowadays are not well trained enough to be there safely, but no one can stop people taking them on the roads. Drivers respect this, and the fact that the rider cannot necessarily control it if it bolts.

On the other hand:
A learner driver is accompanied by a fully qualified driver, and is learning to drive in the real world, where there are some absolute bastards on the road.

Answer 6

As a horse rider and once a learner driver I think that in both situations you should pass wide and slow. Inexperienced dirvers need time and practice before they become good drivers and therefore should be helped to progress rather than get 'spooked' by someone passing to fast and close.

I also think that P plates are a really good idea so that you then know that although the diver has a licence they are necessarily experienced.

Answer 7

Try and think of it as real-life experience, there is no such thing as a considerate driver any more. Be very very aware of what's going on around you and react & use the road accordingly.

People give 'osses a wide berth simply because if the 'oss gets spooked and kicks out and damages the car, the rider has no insurance to cover damages, whereas other drivers, whether Leaner or an expert of many many years will (should) have insurance to cover the cost of any accident.

Anyway, if you're nervous out in traffic, you should mention it to your instructor, as I would suggest that you aren't ready (yet) to be on the streets. No offence meant, but there are enough crap & impatient drivers out there as it is, and you need a bunch of confidence these days, as no-one else pays a blind bit of attention to what's happening on the road. Plus sooooo many people drive like complete twats and see themselves as some-how "above" a learner.

I highly recommend that you invest in a copy of "Roadcraft", the Police drivers manual that will help you understand driver behaviour, and how YOU as a driver, need to act according to different situations. It was a required read during my training, several years ago.

Answer 8

A lot of drivers today seem to treat learner drivers with contempt and like to show off by overtaking fast, then cutting in a bit close. Others, who can't pass the learner driver, think by tail gating them that they will get past quicker. What these drivers fail to remember is that they were learning to drive once, and they should remeber how it was for them. There is no need to spook a learner driver, because it shows your lack of patience and understanding.

Answer 9

I think the thing about being a learner is that you learn. If nothing ever happens around you, you learn nothing. If some lunatic races past you, and you are with a safe and experienced driving instructor going at a pedestrian pace, you might get a fright. You might even wobble a little. But you will not fall because that is what the driving instructor is there for.

If it is a horse, then stay off the roads for goodness sake. Horses have no business being near cars.

Answer 10

Maybe it because the horse isnt on the road by choice where as a learner is. I do try and be patient when I am stuck behind a learner at 20mph in rush traffic but it is hard but we were all learners once!!!