Drivers asked to rein in their speed for horses

New roadside posters encouraging road users to slow down for horses and their riders are being displayed in parts of Devon.

The posters have been erected by Devon County Council, who have teamed up with The British Horse Society (BHS), Horses & Road Safety Awareness (HRSA) and Vision Zero South West to support the BHS’s ‘Dead Slow’ road safety campaign.

The aim is to educate motorists on how to approach and pass horses safely on the county’s roads, with the posters advising drivers to reduce their speed to a maximum of 10mph and leave at least two metres space.

Since 2018, around 375 incidents involving equestrians on Devon’s roads have been reported to the Police and the BHS. These collisions have left 19 horses injured and three dead, while 29 horse riders have been injured and one rider killed.

Cllr Stuart Hughes, cabinet member for highway management and vice chair of Vision Zero South West, said: “It’s essential for motorists to slow down and leave plenty of room when passing horses, and hopefully these new posters will put that at the forefront of people’s minds when on our roads. 

“Horse riders have the same right to be on the road as motorists, but they are vulnerable and horses can be startled, despite the best efforts of the rider.

“Far too many horses and riders have been killed or injured on Devon’s roads in recent years, and we can all play a part in reducing the number of incidents. I would urge all road users to respect each others’ safety as well as their own.”

The advice to motorists when approaching horses on the road is:

• Slow down to a maximum of 10mph
• Be patient. Don’t sound your horn or rev your engine
• Pass the horse wide and slow (if safe to do so), leaving at least two metres if possible
• Drive slowly away

There is a further reminder that feral or semi-feral ponies found on Dartmoor and Exmoor require the same consideration as ridden horses when being approached or passed.

The BHS also offers the following guidance for horse riders to keep themselves and their horses safe:

• Always wear hi-vis clothing and equipment – even on bright days
• Wear protective headgear to current approved standards
• Unless necessary, avoid riding in failing light, fog or darkness, or when it is snowing or icy
• Show courtesy to drivers – a smile and a nod are enough if your hands are full

Alan Hiscox, director of safety at The British Horse Society, said: “Horses are still being killed and injured on our roads, riders continue to be seriously injured and too many drivers underestimate the importance of driving carefully around horses. This is detrimental to the safety of equestrians.

“Together, we can stop these tragic incidents from happening over and over again. To do this, it is essential that we all follow the Highway Code guidelines in place, which are aligned with our key Dead Slow behavioural messages. 

“Collaborating with Devon County Council, and displaying these posters, will be a critical step towards driving greater awareness and ultimately improving the safety of all vulnerable road users.”

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