Island Life Magazine Ltd April / May 2016 | Page 81

EQUESTRIAN
of accident reports are Essex, with
155 reported road accidents; Kent,
with 89 reported road accidents; and
Lancashire, with 81 reported road
accidents.
The launch of the campaign, Dead
Slow, follows a number of high profile
petitions calling for greater protection
for horse and rider on the roads
following the injury of horse carriage
master Mark Evans and the death of
his horse Wil, who was hit by a car in
Wales last month as he pulled a funeral
cortege.
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 that these
statistics are just the accidents 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.

“We are campaigning for legislative
change, but that can take a long time.
That is why we are asking for this instant
change in behaviour from drivers.”
The British Horse Society has
produced a video demonstrating how
to safely pass a horse on the road. 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 they can easily
panic and bolt if startled. This is
dangerous for the horse, the rider and
other road users. All drivers should be
aware that they may come across horse
riders at any time, especially in rural
areas. If you see one, slow right down
as you approach and pass it slowly and
smoothly, without revving your engine or
sounding your horn. If there’s not room
to pass it safely, wait until there is.”
Horse accidents can be reported
to the BHS via the website: www.
horseaccidents.org.uk.

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