Chance to improve Highway Code for horse riders
HORSE RIDERS and carriage drivers are being urged to add their voices to the Government’s consultations on changes to the Highway Code.
The review of the Highway Code places a clear emphasis on responsibility, and the amendments being proposed are specifically designed to benefit walkers, cyclists and equestrians.
The consultation is under way and remains open until October 27 for people to leave their views.
The British Horse Society is asking members of the equestrian world to take part and improve safety for vulnerable road users.
The charity, which runs the Dead or Dead Slow campaign, has been part of the Highway Code’s Stakeholders Focus Group, ensuring horse riders have been represented in the consultation.
The campaign’s message about how to pass horses safely on the roads has also been included.
There are some key amendments which the charity picked out as being beneficial to improving safety for horse riders on the roads.
These include new rules which ensure road users posing the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce dangers.
Proposals for another updated rule will include new details which recommend inexperienced horse riders should consider taking the Ride Safe Award from the British Horse Society.
Another new rule sets out guidance for cyclists when using roads which are shared with pedestrians, horse riders and horse- drawn vehicles.
The proposed overhaul of the Highway Code also includes a reminder to car drivers to pass horse riders and carriage drivers “wide and slow” to give them plenty of space on roads, while recognising that horses can be unpredictable.
The consultation can be found through the BHS’s website at bhs. org. uk or on the Government survey site at smartsurvey. co. uk/ s/ K736D5/