ROAD SAFETY
Horses and motor vehicles both have a legal right to be on the
road, however the Department of Transport officially classes horses
as a vulnerable road user. As a horse owner it is your responsibility
to your horse and other road users that you are clearly visible
at all times.
The average speed of vehicles on the minor roads
is 40-45mph. For a car travelling at 40mph it will take him/her
almost the full length of a dressage arena (36 metres) to stop.
By wearing High visibility clothing your chances
of being seen increases by at least 30 metres.
Did you know?
There
are over ¼ million horse riders in Scotland.
There are
over 26 million licensed vehicles on the road.
There are
over 8 horse related accidents in Scotland every day.
On average
5 horse riders are killed on the road every year.
More than
half of the horse related road accidents happen on minor roads.
There is no
difference in the accident rate between winter and summer.
"Be safe be seen!" does not only
apply to pedal cyclists.
"Remember you as a rider using the public highway have
a responsibility for not only your safety but the safety
of your horse or pony and other road users.
By acquiring good practical road sense and using high visibility
safety wear we can not only reduce equine related accidents
but also foster good relations with other motorists!"
(Duncan Sutherland Lothian and Borders
Police, Mounted Section) |
Here are some life saving do's and don'ts.
DO...
Wear
fluorescent clothing through the day and reflective at night,
at least two items.
Read
the Highway Code rules 35-41 Click
here...
Wear
protective headgear to current approved standards.
Avoid
busy main roads.
Show
courtesy and consideration to other road users.
Ride
in single file where the road narrows or an approach to a bend.
Have
valid third party public liability insurance.
DO NOT...
Ride
in failing light or darkness without reflective gear.
Ride
on a pavement, footpath or a cycle track on the public highway.
Ride
more than two abreast.
Go
out without telling someone your route.
You can train for and take the British Horse Society Riding and
Road Safety Test. To find out more information please contact
the :British Horse Society (Scotland), Woodburn Farm, Crieff,
Perthshire, PH7 3RG
Click
here for a 10 point Checklist prior to riding...
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