A parliamentary bill calling for equestrian safety to be put at “the heart of driver education” has been created by Newbury MP Lee Dillon.
The Road Traffic (Horse and Rider Safety) Bill calls for set clear rules on the speed and distance required when passing horses that are hacking on the road. It also requests the inclusion of equestrian safety in driving theory tests and for greater driver awareness of equestrian safety on the roads.
Lee said: “I’ve spoken with riders, trainers and equestrian groups. Their message is clear: education and consistency are vital. Too many drivers simply don’t know the Highway Code guidance for passing horses, or how dangerous it is when that guidance isn’t followed.”
British Horse Society’s director of safety, Alan Hiscox, said that the Newbury MP had been in Lambourn for the BHS and Project Edward’s road safety awareness ride, and he was grateful to him for “amplifying the voice of equestrianism in parliament”.
“We have been in close talks with the [Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency] to get extra inclusion in the hazard perception test part of the driving test and extra questions in the theory test, but there is always room for more [driver education], and we are grateful to Lee for his interest in this subject.”
Government safety strategy
Lee Dillon’s bill is awaiting its second reading in the House of Commons.
A new government road safety strategy is due to be announced this autumn, and Alan has calmed fears that horses would not be mentioned specifically in the strategy.
“There is no response from the Department of Transport saying that horses are not to be included. We await the full details,” he said.
Alan added that the BHS has lobbied for equestrian road safety to be an important part of any changes and felt that equestrians would be included along with other vulnerable road users.
Lead image: Your Horse Library/Charlie Gooders Photography
