Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking better to protect horse riders on public highways; and if he will take steps to strengthen provisions within the Highway Code relating to how motorists should drive in the vicinity of horses.

The Department, through the THINK! Branded Road Safety Campaign, worked with the British Horse Society (BHS) to support its “Dead Slow” campaign to encourage car drivers to pass horses safely, and the ‘Horse Rider’ section on the THINK! Website has been updated to reflect the partnership with the BHS.

On 4 July, there was a Westminster Hall Debate on: ‘the Safety of Riders and Horses on Rural Roads’, in which these issues were more fully debated.

The driving theory test contains questions about how drivers should interact with vulnerable road users, including horse riders; and the hazard perception test includes a number of clips where horse riders are the hazard, either directly or indirectly.

The Highway Code provides advice to motorists about vulnerable road users such as horse riders and Rule 215 provides advice specifically on passing horse riders safely.

When the Department next reviews The Highway Code, any proposed changes will be subject to public consultation.