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Horse and Rider Road Safety
14 January 2026
Lead MP
Lee Dillon
Newbury
LD
Responding Minister
Lilian Greenwood
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Word Count: 9887
Other Contributors: 29
At a Glance
Lee Dillon raised concerns about horse and rider road safety in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The hon. Member called for stronger protections for horses and riders, including clear rules on speed and distance when passing walkers, cyclists, and horses, and the inclusion of equestrian safety in driver theory tests and education.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
There were more than 3,000 road incidents involving horses in 2024, with 58 horses losing their lives and a further 97 injured. In Devon since 2020, there have been 375 road incidents involving horses, resulting in 19 horses injured or killed and 29 riders injured or one killed. These figures highlight the significant risk faced by horse riders on roads.
Adam Jogee
Lab
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Highlighted concerns from constituents in Staffordshire about big lorries spooking horses and endangering riders.
Andrew Cooper
Lab
Mid Cheshire
The hon. Member highlighted an increasing problem with aggressive driving behaviour towards horse riders and suggested teaching equestrian safety as part of driver training.
St Ives
Supported Mr Dillon's proposed legislation and highlighted that councils lack funding for maintaining bridleways, forcing riders to use roads.
Andy MacNae
Lab
Rossendale and Darwen
The hon. Member supported the debate but challenged the idea that the road safety strategy does not cover horse riders, stating it offers comprehensive opportunities to improve their safety.
Aphra Brandreth
Con
Chester South and Eddisbury
The hon. Member raised concerns about access to bridleways and highlighted issues with planning decisions that overlook riders, advocating for more awareness and education regarding the highway code's requirements.
Brian Mathew
LD
Melksham and Devizes
The hon. Member agreed that clear rules on speed and distance when passing walkers, cyclists, and horses are needed, to be included in driver theory tests and must be at the heart of driver education.
Nia Griffith
Lab
Llanelli
The Welsh Government has taken action, but more is needed. There is a need for greater emphasis on rural road and horse rider safety in driving tests and other tools to educate drivers about the dangers.
Winchester
As a horse vet, the hon. Member emphasised the regular occurrence of horses and their riders being hit by cars, with significant trauma and loss for communities.
Edward Argar
Con
Melton and Syston
The constituency has many riders and horses, with only 21 incidents reported between March 2021 and end of 2024. Every incident is one too many, highlighting the need for better enforcement and awareness.
West Dorset
Member congratulated the lead MP on securing the debate and raised concerns about road safety in rural areas, citing specific instances of near-misses involving drivers going too fast or passing too close to horse riders.
Epsom and Ewell
Emphasised the importance of better education on Pegasus crossings to reduce near misses and potential deaths.
Ian Roome
LD
North Devon
The hon. Member suggested that riders use body cameras to record evidence of dangerous driving.
Jack Rankin
Con
Windsor
Member discussed tragic incidents involving horses and highlighted a specific case in his constituency where a 15-year-old rider was involved in a dangerous collision, underscoring the need for better treatment of horses on roads.
James Naish
Lab
Rushcliffe
Presented a petition about a greenway in his constituency that has been closed for two years, leading to horse riders being forced onto busy roads. He supports the expansion of infrastructure like greenways.
Jayne Kirkham
Lab/Co-op
Truro and Falmouth
Cornish hedges make it even more dangerous for horse riders as drivers may not realize they are stone. Drivers should give horses as much room as possible to avoid startling them.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Supports the presentation Bill and highlights the importance of road safety awareness in rural areas, noting that riders should wear hi-vis clothes, use signals, keep left and to single file if roads are busy.
Joe Morris
Lab
Hexham
Suggests the importance of proper signage to remind drivers of their obligations when encountering horses on rural roads.
John Milne
LD
Horsham
Sophie from Billingshurst described being tailgated while towing a horsebox, which eventually led to a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre by another driver. The closure of a bridleway bridge in Shipley has forced riders onto busy roads, highlighting the need for better infrastructure and funding.
Joy Morrissey
Con
Beaconsfield
Acknowledges her hon. Friend's point and raises concerns about single-lane country roads where many accidents occur.
Lee Pitcher
Lab
Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme
Stressed the importance of horses for local businesses, urging the Minister to consider economic impacts while formulating future policies.
Stratford-on-Avon
The constituency has fast-moving country roads, where horse riders face real risks. Most incidents are caused by drivers passing too close or too fast despite highway code guidance. The Liberal Democrats support a bill for better driver education and plans to expand safe off-road routes.
Mark Sewards
Lab
Leeds South West and Morley
Discusses the intimidation and abuse faced by horse riders and supports the Government’s flagship road safety campaign but calls for more measures to keep riders safe on roads.
Rebecca Smith
Con
South West Devon
Discusses the importance of horse and rider safety in urban fringe communities, emphasizing Dartmoor ponies' significance to heritage and local economy, and calls for localized speed limits on roads used by riders.
Sarah Dyke
LD
Glastonbury and Somerton
Congratulated Somerset council on its road safety initiative that offers training to riders and drivers to make roads safer.
Sarah Russell
Lab
Congleton
Supported the need for equestrian representation in road safety advisory boards and highlighted accidents involving horses in her constituency.
North Norfolk
Congratulated my hon. Friend the Member for Newbury on securing this debate and highlighted that the current road safety policies are unfit for purpose, leading to serious injuries and deaths along dangerous roads in North Norfolk.
Steve Yemm
Lab
Mansfield
Highlights the dangers posed by uncontrolled dogs to equestrians, referencing a tragic incident involving Katie Smart and her horse George, and calls for further support from Baroness Hayman.
Terry Jermy
Lab
South West Norfolk
Shares the case of Susi Rogers-Hartley, a horse rider and Paralympic athlete from his constituency, highlighting how horse riding gives her quality time out of her wheelchair and a sense of freedom.
Vikki Slade
LD
Mid Dorset and North Poole
Asked for a review of Forestry England’s fees and complex paperwork for carriage drivers using forest paths.
Government Response
Lilian Greenwood
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport
Government Response
Acknowledges the importance of road safety around animals, particularly in rural areas, and mentions the update to the highway code in 2022 to improve safety for vulnerable users. The Minister encourages drivers to review the 'Rules about animals' section of the highway code and agrees with the need for proper signage. Acknowledged that more needs to be done despite £2.4 million investment in awareness campaigns, committed to working with stakeholders like the British Horse Society and targeting issues such as speeding and drink/drug-driving to reduce serious injuries and fatalities by 65% by 2035. Mentioned incorporating equestrian safety into driver training tests and considering representation of equestrians on national road safety boards.
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Assessment & feedback
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.