Keeping Safe on the Roads

Following of from the incident that occurred on Woodhouse Lane in December 2022 involving a collision with a car and a horse, the committee decided that it was worth pulling together the article below to try and educate all road users on what they can do in order to make our roads safer places for all (Pedestrians, Cyclists, Equestrians and Motorists). The Highways Code changed in January 2022 but there are still a large number of road users who have not been made aware of their responsibilities. In addition there is a lot that Equestrians can do to mitigate some of the risks they face. By all taking a small amount of time and being considerate to other users the road can be a much safer place.

Article released onto several Facebook Groups on the 24/2/23

Safety on our Roads – Advice for Motorists, Cyclists and Horse Riders

In December 2022 a horse, whilst proceeding down Woodhouse Lane in Norden, was hit in the rear by a car sustaining injuries that required the horse having to have several stiches and the car sustaining a reasonable amount of damage. This is not an isolated occurrence. According to the British Horse Society statistics, released in December 2022 and given below, there were over 68 horses injured or killed and 139 people injured whilst riding on Britain’s roads in 2022.

These statistics are hard evidence that the roads within Britain are becoming ever busier and dangerous, with users becoming more and more impatient as the speed of society increases daily.

 However, with a bit of care and consideration, all users can share the tarmac safely. In January 2022 the Highway code changed to put more responsibility on the driver to ensure the safety of the more vulnerable users of the road eg pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians.

Are you a driver? Do you Know your responsibility? The highway code asks you to pass the more vulnerable road users slowly and wide (10mph and >2m away from equestrians, > 1.5m if passing a cyclist at up to 30mph greater distance at higher speeds, pass pedestrians with at least 2m space and keep to a low speed when passing people walking on the road). If it is not possible to meet these clearances or it is unsafe to overtake then wait behind. Do not overtake on blind bends or when there is a solid white line in the centre of the road.

Are you a cyclist? The highway code asks you not to pass people walking, riding a horse or carriage drivers closely or at high speed, particularly from behind. Do not pass a horse on the horse’s left

Are you a Horse Rider? Although the onus is on motorists to behave in a safe, considerate manner to more vulnerable road users, there is a lot that the equestrian can do to help mitigate the dangers.

- Wear Hi-Viz at all times. Even in bright sunshine a dark horse can vanish into the shadows created by trees etc. Hi-Viz could give motorists precious seconds to see you and react to avoid any potential danger.            

- Don’t wear air buds or headphones. Having unrestricted hearing could make you aware of potential dangers early enabling potential avoidance action to take place.

- Don’t use mobile phones whilst riding or allow a horse to amble without contact. This could erode precious seconds should mitigation actions be needed to avoid an oncoming danger

- If leading a horse whilst riding make sure it is on your inside so that you can prevent its hind quarters from swinging into traffic

By ALL being aware of their obligations and acting in a considerate way to other road users, the roads could be a much safer place.

Unfortunately, pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians need to use our busy roads in order to access the quieter safer routes. They are someone’s daughter or son. How would you feel if your son or daughter was injured or even worse killed because the driver could not wait for a couple of seconds? Please act responsibly and keep our roads safe.