Drivers face having to obey 10mph speed limit in England or risk £5,000 fine

Drivers face having to obey 10mph speed limit in England or risk £5,000 fineRule 215 of the Highway Code requires drivers to be particularly careful of horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles

while on the road.MotoringJames Rodger Content Editor10:51, 03 Jun 2025Drivers face having to obey 10mph speed limit in England or risk £5,000 fine Drivers risk hefty penalties for failing

to slow down to 10mph under Highway Code rules. Rule 215 of the Highway Code requires drivers to be particularly careful of horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles while on the road.

The rule states: "Always pass wide and slowly. When you see a horse on a road, you should slow down to a maximum of 10mph. Be patient, do not sound your horn or rev your engine. When safe to

do so, pass wide and slowly, allowing at least two metres of space."

‌ As well as the 10mph requirement, road users are warned they must take action if they accidentally collide with an animal.

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Road users who do this must report this to the police, with motorists who fail to do so facing significant prosecution, including penalty points and fines up to £5,000, road users and

drivers have been warned.

Article continues below The warning from the experts adds: "Feral or semi-feral ponies found in areas such as the New Forest, Exmoor and Dartmoor require the same consideration as ridden

horses when approaching or passing. Look out for horse riders’ and horse drivers’ signals and heed a request to slow down or stop."

Bumper, a motoring expert group, warned: "This is crucial to prevent accidents caused by spooked horses, which can react unpredictably to perceived threats.

"Most comprehensive car insurance policies will cover the cost of a horse damaging a vehicle, provided it wasn’t the driver’s fault."

Article continues below Bryn Brooker, head of road safety at Nextbase, has also spoken out and warned: "If you do hit an animal, following the proper procedure is essential to avoid legal

penalties. Pull over safely with hazard lights on and approach injured animals with extreme caution, as they may be frightened and aggressive.

"Having a dashcam provides crucial evidence that could protect you from both legal penalties and insurance issues.

"This footage proves you weren't at fault and took appropriate action, potentially saving thousands in disputed claims and helping establish the facts if legal questions arise."