Safeguarding Yourself When Sharing the Road with Horses
In 2022, the British Airways Highway Code introduced new guidance for equestrians, aiming to ensure the safety of horses and riders on our roads. According to the updates, vehicles must pass horses at no more than 10mph and maintain a minimum distance of two meters.
If a rider doesn't indicate, drivers should maintain a distance of at least three car-lengths behind. When passing a horse, allow at least a car's width and maintain a maximum speed of 10mph.
Road safety charity IAM RoadSmart advises drivers to expect the unexpected when passing a horse on the road and to give the horse and rider plenty of room. The British Horse Society outlines four steps for safely passing a horse on the road: slow down to a maximum of 10mph, be patient, pass the horse wide and slow, allow at least a car's width between your vehicle and the horse if possible, and drive slowly onwards.
Over the past year, 3,118 incidents involving horses were reported to The British Horse Society, with 81% of these incidents due to vehicles passing too closely. In these incidents, 80 people were also injured, and sadly, 58 horses died and 97 were injured on UK roads.
On rural roads, drivers should be particularly cautious as a horse could be around the next corner. If approaching a horse from the other side of the road, consider using hazard warning lights to alert drivers behind you. When approaching a horse, slow down and hold back, waiting for the rider's indication to approach and overtake.
Jaimi McIlravey, a horse rider and digital content executive at IAM RoadSmart, emphasizes the importance of staying alert as something other than the driver's actions may scare the horse. Whether it's a sudden noise, a careless gesture, or an unexpected obstacle, drivers should always be mindful of the potential risks and take appropriate precautions.
In 2024, Jaimi McIlravey took on the role of Digital Content Executive at IAM RoadSmart, where she continues to advocate for horse safety in traffic behavior. Her advice is clear: be patient, respectful, and always prepared to slow down or stop to avoid upsetting the horse. By following these guidelines, we can help make our roads safer for all users, including our four-legged friends.
