Driver awareness of horses and their riders has reached new levels in recent years, and the driver training industry has recognised this.

The British Horse Society’s ‘Dead Slow’ campaign has won an award from the Institute of Master Driving Tutors.

It was recognised for its outstanding achievement and contribution to driver training and road safety.

Crowded field

Dead Slow seeks to educate road users about the correct way to behave around equestrians.

The campaigns seek to raise awareness of the dangers of motorised vehicles around animals on the road and emphasise the correct way to act.

As the number of vehicles continues to increase, roads become busier, making them more dangerous.

This is especially so for vulnerable road users like horse riders and carriage drivers.

Education is critical to driver awareness and correct behaviour if they encounter a horse on the road.

Clearing the fences

The British Horse Society (BHS) collates yearly statistics to understand the rate of incidents involving horses and riders on UK roads.

In 2023:

  • Three thousand three hundred eighty-threeroad incidents involving horses were reported.
  • 66 horses died, and 86 were injured
  • Three people have died, and 94 were injured
  • 85% of these were because a vehicle passed too closely or quickly.

The key behavioural change messages to drivers in the campaign are:

  • Slow down to a maximum of 10mph
  • Be patient – do not sound the horn or rev the engine
  • Pass the horse wide and slow (if safe to do so)
  • Drive slowly away

Crossing the line

As part of the campaign, the British Horse Society (BHS) has been working with driving instructors to reach young drivers.

The IMTD awards celebrates those that have contributed significantly to driver training and or road safety in the UK

Alan Hiscox, director of safety at the BHS, said: “We are thrilled to have been recognised this year by the Institute of Master Tutors of Driving.

“A key part of the Dead Slow campaign is considering how the BHS can reach young drivers to help them understand the dangers of passing horses too quickly and closely on our roads.

“The safety team have had very positive partnerships with driving instructors since we launched the campaign and it has been so important to involve them when it comes to increasing the safety of horses on the road.”