Motorists & Horse Riders
Motorists - THINK! -
watch out for horses
There are around 149 accidents involving horses on our roads every year, resulting on average in two deaths and 130 injuries to riders.
As a motorist, you should treat horses as a potential hazard and expect the unexpected. Horses are easily scared by noise and may panic around fast moving vehicles.
Safety tips
When you see a horse rider on the road, slow down and be ready to stop.
Don't try to pass unless you can give them a wide berth.
Don't sound your horn or rev your engine.
Watch out at roundabouts. Horse riders normally signal right only when they're approaching exits they don't intend to take. They'll keep to the left, and signal left when they get to their exit.
Horse riders keep to the left even when they're turning right,
because it's unsafe to position a horse between lines of traffic which might make it panic, with no escape route.
Take extra care on keep your speed down on left hand bends and narrow country lanes.
Rules for Horse Riders
Not only are there rules for motorists but there are also rules for Horse Riders when on the road
The Highway Code (49-55) outlines regulations and horse riders are encouraged to attend a recognised British Horse Society Riding School and sit the competency examination.