Keeping our roads safe for everyone – A quick guide to passing horses safely
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Keeping our roads safe for everyone – A quick guide to passing horses safely |
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Hi everyone, As the weather changes and more people are out enjoying our local roads, we want to share a gentle but important reminder about sharing the space with horse riders. Many drivers don’t realise that horses are flight animals. This means their natural instinct when startled is to run away from danger at high speed. Even the most well-trained horse can panic if a car surprises them. When a car speeds past or gets too close, it can have severe consequences: The "Spook" Reflex: A horse might suddenly bolt, spin into the road, or rear up. This can instantly put the horse and rider directly into the path of your vehicle. Blinded by Hedges: Horses see things we can't—like a sudden bird flying out or a plastic bag in a hedge. If they are already tense from a fast car, these small triggers cause a major panic. Long-Term Trauma: Just one bad experience with a speeding car can ruin months or years of training, making a horse permanently terrified of roads and putting future road users at risk. How you can help keep everyone safe: Please follow the official "Pass Wide and Slow" guidelines: Drop your speed: Slow down to a maximum of 10mph as soon as you see a horse. Give them space: Leave at least 2 meters (about a car’s width) of room when passing. Keep it quiet: Do not rev your engine, flash your lights, or sound your horn. If you drive an electric vehicle, please be mindful that horses cannot hear you approaching from behind. Be patient: Watch for hand signals from the rider. If it isn't safe to pass, please wait a few seconds until there is a clear, wide space ahead. Slowing down takes only a few seconds of your journey, but it ensures that riders, drivers, and these beautiful animals all get home safely. Thank you for your consideration and for keeping our Ferry ward roads safe! #RoadSafety #PassWideAndSlow #CommunityFirst #ShareTheRoad | ||
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To find out more about your local policing team including who your officers are, updates on policing priorities and details of meetings and events please visit https://www.police.uk. |
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