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

Badwolf

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

Reg Tedious

I give horses a wide birth because as good as the rider might be a horse has a mind of its own. I know somebody who was passing a horse, the horse got spooked and jumped onto their car. I give learners a wide birth as I can remember what it was like when I was learning (26 years ago). Anybody that doesn't respect other road users is an idiot and asking for trouble.

My last driving lesson was a double, on Sunday, April 29th back in 1973. It was my youngest daughter's 4th birthday:-)

I was cut across by an American serviceman in his huge American car, in my home town of Northampton England UK, near where he was based.

He took a chance on having time to cross the main road I was on and I hit him, at over 60 miles and hour. He was fine... I'd hit his right side passenger door... my instructor had minor injuries... our car was squashed to half its size and my door as well... the engine disappeared below our feet... the front of the car was gone... and I was the only seriously injured victim.

I almost died... and a miracle happened for me that day to save my life. Not the first miracle of its kind for me... I'd survived a Tarmac lorry running me over aged eight... and not the last, I'll add. I've survived much more...

Which is why my faith is strong.

The guy in question may or may not have had respect for the learner driver car he'd seen... with the driving school name emblazoned on it.

I never have and never will, forget this NDE... I went on to pass my test that summer... and because of that crash, I've been a clean and courtious driver ever since, not one point on my licence and not one claim on my insurance... pity then, they don't allow for my thirty-four years in my no claims bonus isn't it?

I am a competent and capable and apparently, a very safe driver... since all my passengers, tell me afterward, they never felt more safe.

Yet like anybody else, on an open motorway, I'll keep up with the fast lane if I have to... because I know it's more dangerous not to go with the flow... even when it's eighty:-(

But inside any township, or narrow country lanes, horses, deer and pheasants (among other things) are an unexpected hazard for us all and thus, I'm never without constant use of mirrors.

Learner drivers do deserve respect, and from me they get it, always, I drop back and let them relax until the road is wide and open far enough for me to pass at speed... after moving close enough to indicate my intentions to them. I've not spooked horse or learner driver yet.

But I'll tell you what spooks me... a non novice... not just the newby drivers who've not long passed their tests... but also, more and more of late, the foreign drivers, whom seem to have changed our highway code to suit their own agenda.

Those who chat on mobiles close behind me... or across me... or approaching down a narrow lane. Those who tailgate so close, that I have to hit my brakes half a dozen times to make them drop back. And get abuse for it.

Those who straddle the centre line, inside the city limits... those who go wide to take a left hand bend, when they should be close to the left curb and those, who do not keep close to the centre inside the line if their is one, when turning on a right bend... since they either go to far across or not far enough... and not least those, who sit inside the yellow lines near crossings... and park across the unbroken line at traffic lights, their cars well over line.

And those hwo take off across the crossing, when pedestrians still have their feet upon it... which is a serious offence... and those who motor on the zigzag lines, and park inside the boxes, where the law clearly states we don't.

They've all supposedly qualified to drive in the UK... yet, it's patently obvious to me, that they've never learned these things.

There... got that off my chest:-)

Experience... and patience:-)

Samantha C

I'm with you on this one - everyone was a learner once, they seem to forget!!!!

magiclady2007

i agree people dont have any respect for learner drivers today

cheerful_kitty

I agree...people forget they were learners too, once!

tmnasn

I dont know about anyone else but i dont spook learner drivers when i pass them after all i was a learner once myself.

Bardic

I'd agree with Reg Tedious. I suspect, if you asked 'em, a lot of drivers wouldn't even have noticed the L plates and don't have a clue what they imply! Which in itself is a sign of bad driving . . .

Mind you, it isn't helped when the L plate is a tatty bit of plastic that clearly hasn't been removed while a qualified driver is at the wheel.

A certain policeman of my acquaintance used to stop drivers like this and say "I see you're a learner driver. Where is the qualified driver accompanying you?"
When the confused driver said he had a full licence, he'd have the inconvenience of having to produce it ('cos few people carry them) to remind him to take the plates off in future!

heckuvapeach

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

flips

I totally agree. people forget they were once a learner driver.
Everyone these days has lost respect

nosdda

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.

vrbef

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.

linda_corby

I treat both with equal care and consideration.

The answer is that people in general love animals, but they are not so fund of other people especially when in their cars.

I could not agree more with you, what other drivers fail to realise is that THEY HAD TO LEARN at one time.

Denzle

I agree with you on this.....Good Question.....Ex B.S.M. Instructor........

proud walker

Don't know! But have first hand experience of what you're talking about, having passed my test in an automatic, three weeks before my first baby was born. Later I was out on the road with my L plates again as I tackled learning to drive a geared car. I frightened hell out of anyone kind enough to accompany me on practise runs, as I was pretty aggressive to drivers who tried to take advantage. When approaching a learner we should remember we all had to learn once, and in my case, twice!

Vix

people are in too much of a rush to get to where they want to be these days. don't let them bother you.

PegasusProSound

Even if not a learner, post the "Student Driver" sign on your car anyway. People WILL get out of the way. Next best thing to driving a beat up old pick-up truck....................

edpcreations

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.

cassidy

Very true what you say.

terrano

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.

HaRrIsON

yeah well over here in spain it's the youngsters who ain't had they're licence 2 minutes and already they're racing each other and stuff like that.
and as for overtaking horses...wel... everyone just speeds past with no consideration whatsoever!!

delta

I don't know about others but on my first leeson instructor took about 5min.explaining the gears and stuff. Turn the key, of we go. I was scared to death. Traffic was mad. Didn't even know how to stop. After couple of minutes he said to speed up, coz I'm holding the traffic. First attempt to stop was almost a buuuuuum. The "experienced"driver was tailgating and instructor blamed me that we could have been hit. Thanks. What I want to say that there is no specially made training places for us to learn basics and the only way is to go with the flow and pray to god that everybody will be in a good mood that day.

CHANGI

The only difference i can see is that it is not always necessary to overtake a learner driver.I think some people just think they have got to pass because they are learners,at the same time forgetting they themselves were learners.

bez

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!!!

Paul O

The horse is less likely to have a panic attack

Omgitshim1

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.

vwsal22

Wow, i like it! Do you think it's because they feel the car is an extension of themselves? Also, why do people intimidate mopeds and bicycles?!

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