Safer Roads For Riders: The Battle Is Not Over

Despite a decrease in the number of accidents, the BHS continues to spread the word when it comes to rider safety on the roads

- Rachael Turner

THE British Horse Society (BHS) has welcomed a drop in hacking accidents — but the battle for safer roads is far from over.

This week, the BHS revealed there were 5% fewer incidents — 404 from 2017 to 2018, compared to 426 from 2016 to 2017.

But there were still fatalities, with one rider and eight horses killed from 2017 to 2018, compared to one rider and 21 horses the previous year.

Alan Hiscox, BHS director of safety, said the battle for safer roads is not over.

“The message is beginning to get out, with our educating and trying to influence driver behaviour,” he told H&H. “We are still working with our Dead Slow [the road safety initiative the BHS launched in 2016] partners.”

The BHS has been working with organisations including mounted police, the Driving Instructors Association [see box] and charity IAM RoadSmart, as well as hosting awareness events.