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TV Ads On Horses On The Roads Launched
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Thanks
to lobbying by the British Horse Society, the government has included
riding on the road as part of its road safety Think! campaign. The
new specially made for television thirty second announcement will
be launched jointly by the BHS and the DTLR (Department of Transport,
Local Government and the Regions) at Badminton on 3 May.
Horse
riders everywhere will be delighted at this recognition of riders
as vulnerable road users. "If motorists were more aware of
the dangers, there would be far fewer accidents" said Sheila
Hardy, BHS head of safety, "and these 'ads' will be a very
effective way of getting the message across to drivers. We are all
very grateful to the government for their support in this.
"The
BHS is hoping that every TV station in the country will run the
'ads' regularly. To have a horse killed in this way is devastating.
Many accidents could be avoided if drivers understood why it is
important to pass riders wide and slow. Television companies have
it in their power to get the message across; let's hope they take
it."
There
will be posters and leaflets available to anyone who wants to boost
the campaign by distributing these to their local garages, car showrooms,
supermarkets and libraries.
* The British Horse Society is a charity representing the two million
leisure riders in the UK.
* 7 riders were killed last year on Britain's roads.
* There are an estimated 3000 accidents on our roads every year
BHS
advice to motorists:
* Pass horses wide and slow - horses may be easily startled.
* Do not attempt to overtake when there is oncoming traffic - treat
the horse as you would a car.
* Remember that the rider does not want to be there either, but
lack of bridleways forces riders to use the roads.
* On country roads, be aware that there might be a horse and rider
around the next bend, and slow down.
* Read the latest edition of the Highway Code!
BHS
advice to riders:
* Wear hi-viz gear at all times so you can be sure to be seen.
* Take your BHS riding and road safety test.
* Make sure you have third party insurance (BHS gold members carry
personal liability insurance up to £10m).
* Read the latest edition of the Highway Code
www.bhs.org.uk
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