Road safety campaign launched after rising threat to horse riders

Now a leading equestrian 
charity has launched a road safety campaign “Dead Slow” to urge 
motorists to hit the brake when passing horses.

The British Horse Society set up a dedicated website in 2010 where road-related horse incidents could be reported.

Since then, it said, there have been 2,000 reports of road accidents to them in the UK involving horses.

Of these, 36 riders were killed and 181 horses died from their injuries or had to be put to sleep.

More than 75 per cent of the accidents happened, says the BHS, because the driver didn’t give the horse enough room when passing and 60 per cent happened between 10am and 3pm, with accidents most commonly occurring in June.

The majority of the accidents happened on a minor road and in a rural area.

Riders have also complained of experiencing road rage from motorists.

Lee Hackett, BHS Director of Policy, said: “We are asking drivers to slow down to 15mph when they see a horse on the road.

“A lot of people aren’t sure how to safely pass a horse when driving, and so we have produced a video showing exactly how it should be done.

“It’s worth remembering these statistics are just the accidents which have been reported to us. There will be countless others.

“Almost everyone who rides horses can recount a story about a time they had a near miss on the roads.”

The charity will also be asking equestrians to ensure that they thank any drivers who pass them responsibly.

Kevin Clinton, Head of Road Safety at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said: “Horses are large, powerful animals and can 
easily panic and bolt if 
startled.

“This is dangerous for the horse, the rider and other road users. If you see one, slow right down as you approach and pass it slowly and smoothly,

Horse accidents can be reported to the BHS via its website: www.horseaccidents.org.uk