Too many drivers “underestimate the importance of driving carefully around horses”

The British Horse Society has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of the Highway Code changes amidst concern around the growing number of road incidents involving horses.

Data shows that 3,552 road incidents involving horses were reported to the British Horse Society (BHS) in 2022.

This represents a 21% increase compared to 2021, when 2,943 incidents were reported.

Of the incidents recorded in 2022, 68 horses were killed and 125 injured. Meanwhile, 139 people were injured.

The BHS says 82% of incidents occurred because a vehicle passed by too closely to the horse, while 78% involved a vehicle passing too quickly.

Meanwhile, since 1 January 2023, two horses have already been killed on Britain’s roads. 

The BHS says this shocking figure is reflective of ‘the significant equine road safety challenge we’re facing’, despite the Highway Code changes which were introduced this time last year. 

The new guidelines include setting the advisory speed for passing people riding horses or driving horse-drawn vehicles at 10mph – and advising drivers to allow at least two metres of space. 

Another key change was the hierarchy of road users, with horse riders now, alongside pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, recognised as road users most likely to be injured in the event of a collision. 

While acknowledging the new Highway Code guidance is an ‘essential step in the right direction to protect horses and riders’, the BHS is ‘disappointed to see that not enough is being done to reinforce the behavioural messages and to make the public aware of the urgent importance of driving carefully around horses’. 

Through its Dead Slow campaign, the BHS says it is committed to informing drivers and creating awareness about how to safely pass horses on the roads. 

Alan Hiscox, director of safety at the BHS, 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. 

“You only have to look at the two horses who were tragically killed in the space of just two weeks at the beginning of 2023.

“Our fear is that guidelines aren’t being clearly explained and delivered; this needs to change. Urgent action is required to make every road user aware of the Highway Code changes and, critically, why it’s so important to pass horses with care. 

“Only through working collaboratively to educate and drive awareness will we be able to stop these awful incidents from happening over and over again.”

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