An SI (statutory instrument) has been laid in Parliament (1st December) covering a number of changes to the Highway Code. The Government initially promised to review the Highway Code in November 2018 in response to the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy Safety Review.
The Government launched a consultation on the amendments of the Highway Code review in July 2020, which are specifically designed to benefit walkers, cyclists, and equestrians.
The BHS has been part of the Highway Code Stakeholders Focus Group to ensure that horse riders have been represented as vulnerable road users in the review of the Highway Code consultation.
Our Dead Slow campaign messaging about how to pass horses safely on the roads has been proposed, as well as reducing the advisory speed to pass a horse from 15 mph to 10 mph. Also included is how to pass feral/semi feral horses on Exmoor, Dartmoor and the New Forest, and advice for equestrians to take the BHS Ride Safe award.
Now the proposal has been laid to Parliament, the measures are subject to a 40-day approval process. If approved they will start to apply to road users at the end of January 2022