Safer driving can prevent horse riding accidents

As a personal injury solicitor with both a professional and personal interest in horses, I notice that the arrival of better spring weather each year coincides with an increase in client enquiries about horse riding accidents or near misses on public roads.

The British Horse Society knows this too. They have recently issued a renewed call to all road users to be mindful of the presence of horses on the road. The ‘Dead Slow’ campaign aims to inform drivers on how to react when encountering horses on public roads.

Worrying statistics issued by the BHS as part of this campaign point to over 3,000 reported horse-related incidents on UK roads in 2024. This included 58 equine fatalities and 80 reported injuries to persons.

These might seem like shocking statistics, but from what I have seen when dealing with these cases these figures represent a significant under-reporting of actual incidents.

Of the BHS reported instances it is said that over 80% of those cases involved a vehicle passing riders and horses too closely or at too great a speed. Even for experienced horses with lots of exposure to public roads, a vehicle that passes them too closely and at speed presents a significant risk.

Horses instinctively respond adversely to perceived and unexpected danger. Motorists need to be mindful of that and consider the consequences of their driving.

Incidents can and do happen even in the absence of actual collisions. Sadly, my firsthand experience with injured riders also suggests there is a small minority of drivers who consider it acceptable to verbally abuse riders simply for being present on the public road with their horse. This is also unacceptable.

Since 2022 the Highway Code (Rule 215) has recognised that horses and riders are road users requiring extra care and the Code advises motorists to:

• Slow down to a maximum speed of 10mph when approaching a horse on the road
• Allow 2 metres of clearance when safe for passing
• Refrain from sounding their horn or revving their engine
• Expect the possibility of horses and riders taking a different line on the road than might be expected
• Be prepared for the presence of horses and riders on country roads and take extra care on approaching bends

Hopefully motorists will heed that advice and riders can safely enjoy the pleasures of an outdoor hack on the roads this spring and summer.

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Brian Castle, Partner
Dundee Office