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Roads: Horses

Asked by James McMurdockIndependentDepartment for TransportTabled Answered 4 November 2025UIN 86977

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with equestrian safety organisations on trends in the number of road incidents involving horses over the past five years.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood

The Government is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads and my Department works with a broad range of stakeholders, including discussions with the British Horse Society, to help us achieve our aim.

In 2022 The Highway Code was updated to improve the safety of all road users, particularly the most vulnerable. Key changes included the introduction of a Hierarchy of Road Users, which ensures that those who do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger or threat that they pose to others, along with the strengthening of guidance on safe passing distances and speeds when overtaking horse-riders.

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