🚨 Attention Drivers and cyclists! 🚨

Horse riders in your area have raised concerns about road users in Telford and Wrekin and have asked us to remind you to remain patient and understand the risks involved when overtaking horse riders. 

The British Horse Society have an excellent video, on how to pass a horse, here: Advice for motorists | The British Horse Society

In line with current British legislation, here’s what you need to know:

For Drivers:

Be particularly careful of horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles especially when approaching, overtaking, passing or moving away. Always pass wide and slowly. When you see a horse on a road, you should slow down to a maximum of 10 mph. 

Be patient, do not sound your horn or rev your engine. 

When safe to do so, pass wide and slow, allowing at least 2 metres of space.

Feral or semi feral ponies require the same consideration as ridden horses when approaching or passing.

Horse riders are often children, so take extra care and remember riders may ride in double file when escorting a young or inexperienced horse or rider. 

Look out for horse riders’ and horse drivers’ signals and heed a request to slow down or stop. 

Take great care and treat all horses as a potential hazard; they can be unpredictable, despite the efforts of their rider/driver. 

Remember there are three brains at work when you pass a horse; the rider’s, the driver’s and the horse’s. 

Do not forget horses are flight animals and can move incredibly quickly if startled.

For Cyclists:

For Horse Riders:

Let’s all work together to create safer roads for everyone. Be patient, be kind, and be mindful of horse riders. We all share the road, and together we can make it safer for all!

For more information, check out the highway code here: The Highway Code - Rules about animals (47 to 58) - Guidance - GOV.UK 

Kind regards,

Sian