Laning Advice Sheet

The following is offered as general advice, especially to new laners, comments please.

Each driver is responsible for their own safety, passengers and other Highway users, and to ensure they are compliant with all legal requirements, including ensuring the roads used have vehicular rights. All highways whether surfaced or not are subject to the statutory requirements for the drivers to be licensed, insured and ‘road legal’

The lead vehicle, unless specifically agreed in writing, assumes no responsibility for the route taken by subsequent vehicles or the status of the road. That remains the responsibility of each driver.

Convoys should be small;  new advice says 4, 4 wheeled vehicles at the most, and even then consider separating into two groups moderately spaced, it is less intrusive, if rarely within view of each other. Over 12 vehicles in an organised event needs prior agreement from the Police.

If challenged, you do not have to stop for anyone other than a Police Officer in uniform, nor do you have to give a name, address or telephone number to any other person, but the registration number of the vehicle must be clearly visible.  However, calmly and politely explaining that the road you are driving on, even though it may be incorrectly signed as ‘Footpath’ as well, is in fact an old road that 'escaped the tar-sprayer', may be found beneficial. Tarring a road (or not) does not alter the legal status of a road. ‘Although 98% of all RoW do NOT have public vehicular rights, the specific one you are on, you have researched, and does have.  Anyone not wishing to benefit from the compacted, clear, easy to follow byway, is able to choose one of the other 98%, but you are unable to use them, in a vehicle’.

The GLASS Drivers Code of Conduct should be followed.

Additionally the following points are recommended good-practice to increase safety and comfort in the event of unforeseen incidents, or emergency situations.

When travelling in a group of vehicles, all vehicles should be aware of a re-entry or rendezvous point in case of separation.  Knowing the mobile telephone numbers of others in the group is wise.

When in convoy keep the vehicle BEHIND in sight, if they stop, you stop, the one in front will then stop in turn.

Due to unforeseen reasons Byways can become impassable, so always be sure you can drive back the way you came, walk unknown sections first. When leaving a vehicle, do NOT leave keys in it.  The anti access brigade have been known to remove keys from unattended vehicles, and throw them away!  (Like in petrol stations, a car with keys left in it, is un-insured)

CB radio is a safety aid, adds interest, saves time, can be used to advise of dangers, plan halts etc.  It is of great assistance to others in a convoy to be aware of the nature of conversations with passers by, in advance, by remaining on transmit. When advising of which gates are closed, take care to identify which precise gates were closed. (Like mobile phones, CB radio should not be used by the driver, and a licence is required to operate certain CB equipment) 

It is often quicker for a passenger in a lead vehicle to open and close a gate for 3 or less vehicles, and for the final vehicle passenger to close when there are 4 or more vehicles.

When leaving a muddy lane, take great care not to deposit mud on the tarmac road, this can be an accident hazard. Consider driving on a verge, or  very slowly at first to reduce mud near a bend.   Take exceptional care when towing especially with a Kinetic rope, and with High-Lift jacks, which are intrinsically unstable.

When travelling on enclosed lanes, take great care of branches flicking through open windows into your face, but more especially when children may open windows unaware of the risk to eyes!

All vehicles should carry maps, and adequate recovery equipment for the expected conditions, a working jack and good spare wheel. Emergency food & drinks and a torch,  with spare batteries, should be carried to enable an unexpected overnight delay, including adequate warm and waterproof clothes, a change of clothes including clean shoes is an asset.  A First Aid kit and Fire Extinguisher should always be carried.  Other useful items to have are compass, GPS, binoculars, camera.

A camera is useful to record obstructions or incidents, as well as enjoyable aspects.  Be careful though, a camera could  inflame a confrontation.

Record your journey, ideally completing dated User Evidence Forms for all lanes (on paper or the web) noting conditions or problems.  Some find it useful to keep a small logbook.

The names, mobile and home telephone numbers of all in the convoy is desirable for each member to be aware of.  When laning alone, consider keeping a list of local members handy, getting a tow from some farmers can be extortionate, £500 having been reported!