Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to increase driver accountability for road traffic collisions involving horses and other animals on public roads; and whether she has considered amending the Road Traffic Act 1988.

My Department already recognises that horse riders are vulnerable road users with safety needs. Accordingly, the Highway Code covers horse riders and the need for drivers to exercise special care in relation to them.

The Highway Code was updated in 2022 to improve the safety of all road users, particularly the most vulnerable. Key changes included the introduction of a Hierarchy of Road Users, which ensures that those who do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger or threat that they pose to others, along with the strengthening of guidance on safe passing distances and speeds when overtaking horse-riders.

The advice on safe passing distances in Rule 163, says that motorists should “pass horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles at speeds under 10mph and allow at least 2 metres of space”.

The Government does not currently have plans to amend the Road Traffic Act in relation to horse riders.