We are a small group of horse owners/riders who collectively have many unpleasant experiences involving inconsiderate and dangerous road users whilst riding our horses on the roads around where we live. There have been a number of campaigns that raise awareness of passing horses wide and slow such as the British Horse Society Dead Slow Campaign and we welcome these, we would however like to see this extended to a change in laws to impose maximum speed limits and minimum distances when passing horses and horses with carriages on roads. The hazard perception test is now a standard part of obtaining a licence to drive in the UK yet there have still been in excess of 2070 reported incidents involving horses/riders and vehicles in the last 5 years. A normal 16hh horse weighing 600KG involved in a road traffic accident can not only be fatal for the horse and rider but for all passengers in the vehicle involved as well. We are seeking as many signatures as possible to raise awareness with both the general public and the UK government to effect a change in the laws to protect us a vulnerable road users. Horse riding is a sport that attracts a wide variety of people of all ages and to ensure our children, family, friends and fellow horsemen/women and their horses remain safe we would like to see a change in the law in recognition of the risks involved in careless or irresponsible driving.
