You want to overtake a horse-drawn carriage on a rural road. What is the right course of action?

When overtaking a horse-drawn carriage on a rural road, it’s important to ensure safety for both you and the carriage driver.

Looking for hand signals from the driver is crucial because it indicates whether the carriage may be turning or changing lanes, helping prevent potential accidents. Maintaining a sufficient distance when you pull back in is equally important to ensure that the carriage and its driver have enough space to remain safe and stable after you overtake.

However, maintaining the smallest possible side clearance is not recommended, as it increases the risk of accidents or frightening the horse. German traffic regulations emphasize the need for adequate space when overtaking, especially for vulnerable road users such as horse-drawn carriages.

Thus, it is necessary to combine looking for signals and maintaining a safe distance for a responsible and compliant overtaking maneuver.