An “unbelievable” incident where a driver not only sped past two horse riders but also blared his horn, has led to renewed calls for safety awareness.
The incident happened in Stainton on February 1. Mother and daughter Donna and Zara Dobson were riding from their Marwood home through the village when they saw the driver coming towards them at speed.
Donna said: “He was coming really fast for being in the village anyway. Zara motioned for him to slow down, but he just pushed the horn.”
She described the man as being in his late 60s.
“We find generally it is the older people [who do this]. The younger people are getting some information about the problem.”
Her daughter added: “I had in my theory test horse-based questions so I think younger people are more aware than older people.”
Donna explained that because there are no bridleways nearby they have no choice but to use the roads to exercise their horses. They have had a number of close calls along the Coal Road route.
She said: “We have had people trying to squeeze past us when there are cars coming the other way.”
Statistics shared by the British Horse Society show that it is a common problem. Last year, 3,118 road incidents involving horses were recorded, in which 58 horses were killed and 97 injured; 80 people were injured over the same period.
Zara said: “People don’t realise that they are not just putting riders at risk, but they are putting themselves at risk because if a horse does freak out and spill into the road then they will end up with a horse on their bonnet.”
Her mother added: “Horses are flight animals, if a pheasant flew out of a hedge, they would jump, just like you would if you get a fright. So, in that split second, if a car is going past you at 50mph and a horse jumps into the road, you don’t stand a chance.”
The Highway Code advises drivers to pass a horse at no more that 10mph and leave at least two metres distance when overtaking.
Many believe the Highway Code “isn’t enough on its own” and a road traffic bill about horse and rider safety is being debated in parliament.
Donna has won support from Teesdale’s MP Sam Rushworth in her campaign.
In a letter to her he said: “As a rural MP, I know first-hand how vital it is for drivers to show greater awareness and care on our country roads. Horses and riders are a common and valued part of rural life, and even small lapses in driving behaviour can have serious consequences.
“I will urge drivers to slow down to a maximum of 10mph when passing horses and to give them a wide berth.
“Taking a few extra seconds to pass carefully can prevent accidents, protect lives, and help ensure our rural roads are safe for everyone to use them.”
Donna urges all horse riders to report incidents to the British Horse Society.
She said: “The more people who report these incidents, the more awareness it raises for police because they can identify any local hotspots.”
