Drivers encouraged to be safe around horses
Conwy County Borough Council is working with Road Safety Wales to highlight the vulnerability of horses and riders through a campaign which reminds drivers of their responsibilities when sharing road space with equestrian road users.
Posters have been put up in 10 different areas around Conwy County to remind drivers to drive slowly and pass horses with a wide gap, in line with the latest Highway Code,
Teresa Ciano, Chair of the partnership said, “Road Safety Wales is grateful to the British Horse Society for providing invaluable data via the incident reporting section of their website, bhs.org.uk. This has helped ensure the advice can be located where most needed, at incident hotspot locations as well as on routes frequently used by the equestrian community.”
Cllr Geoff Stewart, Conwy County Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood and the Environment, said: “We’re pleased to be part of this campaign to help keep riders and horses safe on the roads.
“It is important that drivers, particularly in more rural areas, are aware that there are likely to be horses on the road and that they treat them with respect by not driving too fast and giving them plenty of space.”
The Minister for Climate Change with responsibility for Transport, Julie James said: “Motorists often need reminding of the dangers posed to horses and riders, particularly when driving on country roads during the holiday season and I am grateful to Road Safety Wales for introducing this very important campaign.”
Road Safety Wales is encouraging the ongoing reporting of incidents and accidents in order to expand the knowledge base of equine-related events. Capturing more accurate data on the frequency and severity of incidents will assist in identify trends and can be used to more effectively highlight and address the risk faced by equestrian road users.
Incidents can also be reported quickly and easily using a phone or tablet device, via the free BHS Horse i app.
The locations for the signs are:
- Valley Road, Llanfairfechan
- Mountain Lane, Penmaenmawr
- Sychnant Pass, Conwy
- Meirion drive, Conwy
- Bryn Pydew Road, Pydew
- Derwen Lane by Ysgol Creuddyn, Penrhyn Bay
- B5381 Moelfre, Betws yn Rhos, Abergele
- Dolwen Road, Tan Y Graig Rd, Llysfaen
- Llechwedd, Conwy
- Tal Y Cafn, Graig