THINK! has teamed up with the British Horse Society (BHS) to produce a short film advising motorists on how to pass horses safely.
The film provides some simple advice for drivers and riders, and asks drivers to give horses plenty of space and to slow down when they see them.
It features clips from the BHS’s ‘Dead Slow’ campaign video, which since its launch in March has been viewed 2.6 million times. The campaign was launched on the back of BHS stats which show that between November 2010 and March 2016, 36 riders were killed as a result of road incidents involving horses that were reported to the charity.
The new shorter video, which includes a fresh voice over, has been sent to TV stations for use as a public information film and is being promoted on YouTube. Road safety teams and other stakeholders are invited to embed the film on their websites and to promote it locally.
Andrew Jones, transport minister, said: “We support the British Horse Society’s campaign to remind drivers when overtaking riders it is important to slow down, give plenty of room and be ready to stop.
“The Highway Code makes clear drivers must show reasonable consideration for other road users and can be prosecuted for putting horse riders in danger.”
Alan Hiscox, director of safety at the BHS, said: “We know most drivers are kind and careful when they drive past horses and riders, but some aren’t. Tragically people and horses do get killed when cars come too close.
“A full-grown horse weighs about the same as a Grand Piano, so if they are hit it makes a big impact – cars get written off and the people inside can get hurt.
“With help from the DfT, we will be able to reach millions more drivers, showing them exactly how to pass a horse on the road and save people’s and horses lives.”
Worthwhile piece of work. We cannot assume all car drivers know this. Did they consider doing anything similar for cyclists? In my experience horses are often startled by a cyclist as they don’t hear them coming and don’t recognise the shape. Local advice we give is for cyclists to speak to the rider as they approach, ‘Good morning’ etc which allows rider to be aware of their presence and horse to recognise approaching object as human. Is this best practice ?
Peter – Kent
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Yes and they are run by the BHS throughout the country: Riding and Road Safety tests are compulsory for anyone wanting to take other courses and exams with the BHS, including qualifying as an instructor. This training is also compulsory for all Pony Club members. Not everyone belongs to one or other of these organisations but their qualifications are widely recognised.
Honor Byford, Chair, Road Safety GB
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Horses can be skittish creatures. Answer? Very slowly and with a lot of space if possible.
Nigel ALBRIGHT
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Good stuff – but is there a training video for horse riders as well?
Saw a teenager on a horse put herself in harm’s way by starting to overtake a row of parked cars on a narrow road without any regard of the traffic approaching from the opposite direction who had the right of way and were already committed to the manoeuvre.
Pat, Wales
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