life - EQUESTRIAN
British Horse Society
Safety on
the roads...
With
the
summer
months
approaching and the promise of finer
weather it’s time to get out onto
the bridleways and enjoy riding
on the Island. However, getting
to the bridleways can often prove
to be hazardous explains Andrea
Jackman, The BHS Development
Officer for the Southern Region
In the UK there are approximately
8 horse related traffic accidents
every day and on average 5 riders
are killed on the roads each year.
Over half of all road accidents
involving horses happen on minor
roads. These are worrying statistics,
and as many horse related accidents
and near misses go unreported, they
could well be only the tip of the
iceberg.
Motorists and horse riders both
have a right to use the road, but
they also share a responsibility
to consider each other’s needs.
As a horse rider and car driver
I have often seen (or only just
seen) riders like those on the
right of the photograph above,
have you? Wearing high visibility
clothing means that drivers see you
approximately 3 seconds earlier,
giving them more time to slow down
How long did it take you to spot the horse and rider on the right?
and pass you safely. If you don’t
wear high visibility clothing you are
putting yourself and your horse in
greater danger with the possibility
of litigation if you are involved in an
accident.
Here are some simple do’s
and don’ts to help you ride
safer on the roads:
DO thank motorists who are
courteous to you, a smile and a nod
are enough if you don’t want to let
go of the reins
DO read the appropriate sections
of the Highway Code and the BHS
Riding and Road Safety Manual
DO wear protective headgear to
the current approved standard, BS
EN 1384, PAS015 or ASTM F1163.
Make sure that it is correctly fitted
and secure at all times
DO wear high visibility accessories
at all times, regardless of time of day,
time of year or weather conditions.
MAKE SURE YOU ARE SEEN!
DO ride on the left hand side of the
road
DO lead on the left of the road;
with the horse on your left whether
mounted or dismounted. Keep
yourself between the led horse and
the traffic
DO leave details of your intended
route and estimated time of return
with a responsible person
DO take the BHS Riding and Road
Safety Test
DO NOT ride in failing light or
72
darkness unless unavoidable, and
ensure you wear high visibility gear
DO NOT attempt to accustom a
green horse to the road without a
steady horse present
DO NOT ride more than two
abreast
DO NOT trot on slippery surfaces
DO NOT take a mounted group of
more than eight horses on the road.
If there are more of you, form into
groups each with a competent leader
and shepherd
The BHS champions a Riding and
Road Safety test aimed at promoting
safety on the road and showing that
riders can ride with courtesy and
responsibility. It comprises of a
theory test based on knowledge of
the highway code and the accepted
rules or riding on the road; followed
by a simulated road route to test
reactions to a series of hazards and
situations often faced, and finally
an actual road route where the
examiners can test competence
in dealing with traffic and road
junctions. If you are interested in
taking the test please contact the
Safety Department at Stoneleigh
on 08701 201921. The Safety
Department also produces advice
leaflets for riders and motorists
plus posters to highlight safety
on the roads, please contact the
Department for further details or
look on our website – www.bhs.org.
uk.
Enjoy your riding and stay safe!
Sponsored by Froghill and Brickfields