‘Alarming’ road safety film made to educate drivers

THE aim behind a new “virtual reality” film on horse and rider road safety is to make drivers understand the importance of passing wide and slow.

The British Horse Society (BHS) launched its film in parliament last week (13 June), as part of its ongoing Dead Slow road safety campaign.

The new film shows a car passing a horse and rider too fast, and the consequences of this, from both the rider’s and the driver’s perspectives.

“Viewing the film gives you the alarming first-hand experience of being on a horse as a vehicle passes too close,” said a BHS spokesman.

“The film also demonstrates what drivers experience when approaching a horse in a vehicle that is going too fast.”

The BHS has been working with a wide variety of organisations, helping to train lorry drivers, lobbying parliament and helping create new guidance for drivers.

BHS safety director Alan Hiscox said: “We believe that we can tell drivers how to behave around horses and they will forget; we can show them and they will remember; but if we involve them with our virtual reality film they will understand.

“This film is ground-breaking and means we can go to any driving event and involve drivers in a unique way.”