‘Terrifying’ accident drives home importance of Dead Slow campaign
The progress of the British Horse Society’s (BHS) Dead Slow campaign was highlighted at the 2021 National Equine Forum (4 March).
The charity’s director of safety, Alan Hiscox, shared details of a Highway Code review, which could improve conditions for riders. Proposed changes include adding specific distances and recommended speeds for the ‘pass wide and slow’ instruction.
The consultation for the review took place from July until October 2020. The 21,000 responses received are now being analysed.
Mr Hiscox also shared details of a new free app — Horse i — created by the BHS to allow riders to report road incidents easily.
During the conference, rider Amy, her mother Gaynor, and driver Sadie, shared their experiences of a serious road accident.
Amy and Rambo were struck where a bridleway met a busy A road. Spooked by a motorbike, Rambo suddenly emerged from the track before Sadie had time see him.
“When I caught him and saw his injuries it was terrifying,” said Amy. “A section of his chest was hanging off him, his neck was cut up with glass stuck in him, and he had two very deep puncture wounds in his chest.”
Amy was also injured, suffering deep muscle trauma, but she and Rambo have since made a full recovery. She stressed Sadie was not at fault and was grateful she understood horses could be unpredictable.
Amy and her mother are calling for improved safety on this stretch of road, such as clearer signage and cutting back the bridleway’s overgrown entrance for better visibility. With the BHS, she is working with Sussex Council to improve signage for riders in the county, and the rest of the UK.