Time and space to keep us safe, plead horse riders

As the better weather approaches, Orkney’s Road Safety Forum is urging drivers to show consideration towards horse riders, by passing wide and slow. 

The Highway Code, which was updated in January this year, sets out that drivers should not exceed 10mph when passing horses and their riders, and to not accelerate suddenly or rev your engine until well past the animal. 

Drivers should also maintain at least 2m distance when passing. 

The British Horse Society says if you can see a horse is nervous or distressed to come to a stop, let the animal pass or move into a driveway or other off-road place, and not start moving again until the rider has their horse well clear of the road.

Chair of the Orkney Road Safety Forum, Andrew Drever, said: “Many drivers do abide by the Highway Code – but there are drivers who are maybe not experienced driving around horses or not aware of the new Highway Code. We’d ask all drivers to follow the Highway Code in relation to horse riders to protect all road users, and make sure inexperienced drivers in their household are aware of their obligations around horses. A startled, runaway horse is of course an extreme danger to their rider, especially youngsters – but they pose a risk to anyone on the road.” 

Laura Cromarty from Kirkwall is often out accompanying her young daughter on her pony. She says riders and handlers will do everything in their power to ensure their horse is kept under control on the road – but that drivers need to realise the risk that passing too quickly or too close poses. “The sudden whoosh of a vehicle passing can alarm a horse – it’s just far safer to pass under 10mph with plenty of space. Being on a startled horse is nail biting for an experienced ride – and absolutely terrifying for peedie riders.” 

Karen Greaves is Chair of the Orkney Riding Club: “As a community of horse enthusiasts, we do our best to keep our animals safe, by being highly visible when out on the roads and moving our horses away from the roadside if they’re nervous – but please be patient and give us the space and time to do this. It could make the difference between a ride in the countryside and a ride in an ambulance for someone you know.”

Councillor Drever added: “We are getting to the time of year where we all need to be mindful of the roads getting busier, and allow extra time for journies, with more cyclists, walkers, and tractors about, as well as road workers and tourist who may not be familiar with our roads. Remember speed limits are not an entitlement – they are a maximum. You should always drive to conditions, whether that is weather and visibility, or for the safety of other road users.

“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility – by simply showing care and courtesy towards everyone else you will help keep our roads safe.”

More information about the Highway Code is available at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code 

Information relating specifically to horses can be found here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/road-users-requiring-extra-care-204-to-225 .