As the number of vehicles continues to increase resulting in busier roads, this means these routes are becoming much more dangerous to use, especially for vulnerable road users like horse riders and carriage drivers. Our aim is to reduce the number of incidents and fatalities involving horses and riders on the road by educating all road users and campaigning to make drivers aware of what to do if they encounter a horse on the road.
The BHS collates statistics each year to understand the rate of incidents involving horses and riders on UK roads. All statistics shown below are from 01.01.2023 – 31.12.2023.
The Statistics
3,383
road incidents involving horses have been reported to The British Horse Society
66
horses have died and 86 have been injured
3
people have died and 94 have been injured because of road incidents
85%
of incidents occurred because a vehicle passed by too closely or too quickly
Recording your incidents
Recording your incidents helps us to better understand the rate of equine-related incidents across the UK. It is vital each incident is recorded in order to be added to our national statistics. Our horse incidents reporting app, Horse i, allows you to quickly and easily submit details of any incidents you encounter directly to the BHS via your mobile or tablet device.
Our recent work - Highway Code
The BHS have worked hard lobbying and collaborating with Cycling UK, DVSA, Living Streets and the Department for Transport (DfT) to suggest much-needed Highway Code improvements and to represent equestrians in the review. As of 29 January 2022, the BHS’s Dead Slow messaging is now incorporated within the Highway Code, including how to pass feral/semi feral horses on Exmoor/Dartmoor and New Forest, as well as a recommendation for horse riders to consider completing the BHS Ride Safe Award giving riders the skills to ride confidently in all environments.
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Watch
Highway Code Hierarchy explained
Advice for motorists
Equestrians have the same right to be on the road as motorists or any other user group. Understanding, respect and consideration by all road users is required to ensure road safety for everyone.
If I see a horse on the road then I will…
10mph
Slow down to a maximum of 10mph.
Be patient
I won't sound my horn or rev my engine.
Pass wide
Pass the horse wide and slow (if safe to do so), at least a 2 metres if possible
Pass slow
Drive slowly away
Support our work
We continue to work with horse riders, driving instructor organisations, UK Mounted Police units, MPs in parliamentary debates, Road Safety organisations and large corporations including Stagecoach, John Lewis and Next, which have driver fleets on our UK roads. We’re committed to spreading our 'Dead Slow' messages and without our members, volunteers and supporters, we couldn't continue the work we do to protect and promote the interests of horses and equestrians.
