MP Launches National Petition for Safer Roads for Horses and Riders
Horse riders, carriage drivers and horse owners are being urged to share their experiences of dangerous driving as MP Lee Dillon launches a national petition to improve equestrian road safety.
Lee Dillon MP has launched a new national petition and call for evidence as he steps up his campaign for safer roads for horses, riders and carriage drivers across the UK.
The campaign, announced today (10 November), builds on more than a year of parliamentary action by Dillon, including the introduction of the Road Traffic (Horse and Rider Safety) Bill, securing a dedicated Westminster Hall debate and presenting a petition to Parliament.
Now, the MP is calling on equestrians to help strengthen the case for further Government action by sharing their first-hand experiences of dangerous driving, near misses and collisions involving horses.
Road safety figures highlight the dangers facing equestrians
New figures from the British Horse Society (BHS) highlight the scale of the problem facing horse riders and carriage drivers on Britain’s roads.
During 2025, the charity recorded 2,810 road incidents involving horses, with 59 horses killed and 86 people injured.
Of the incidents reported:
- 83% involved a vehicle passing a horse too quickly.
- 78% involved a vehicle passing too closely.
The figures underline the importance of motorists following Highway Code guidance when encountering horses on the road. Drivers should slow down to a maximum of 10mph and allow at least two metres of space when passing horses.
For many horse owners, riding on the road is unavoidable, whether accessing bridleways, travelling between yards or exercising their horses where off-road routes are limited.
Equestrians urged to share their experiences
Dillon hopes the evidence gathered through the campaign will give equestrians a stronger voice in Government discussions on road safety and help inform future changes to legislation and driver education.
Lee Dillon MP said: “For more than a year, riders, carriage drivers and horse owners from across the country have been telling me about frightening experiences on our roads.
“I’ve taken those voices to Parliament, secured a dedicated debate and introduced legislation, but we now need to turn that parliamentary pressure into practical change.
“This isn’t about drivers versus riders. Most motorists want to do the right thing. We need to make sure people understand how to pass horses safely and give equestrians a proper voice when road-safety decisions are made.
“That’s why I’m asking people to sign the petition and, importantly, tell me what they have experienced. The more evidence we can take back to Government, the stronger our case for change.”
The campaign calls for improved driver awareness and education, greater consideration of equestrian safety in driving standards and closer engagement with equestrian organisations. Ultimately, it aims to reduce the number of collisions, injuries and fatalities involving horses on the road.
How to sign the horse and rider road safety petition
Horse riders, carriage drivers and horse owners across the country are encouraged to take part in the campaign. Experiences of dangerous overtaking, road rage, near misses and collisions can all help build a clearer picture of the challenges equestrians face.
To support the campaign and share your experiences, sign Lee Dillon MP’s horse and rider road safety petition here.
Equestrians can also report road incidents directly to the British Horse Society through its Horse i app, helping the charity gather evidence to support its ongoing Dead Slow road safety campaign.