Medway Cops Urge Drivers: Slow Down Near Horses!
Medway’s Community Safety Unit is sending a clear warning to drivers: give horses room and drive carefully when approaching them on the road.
Rural Roads, Real Risks
Patrol officers PSCO Sean Humphrey and Jeanette Ward know their rural patches well, covering Rainham South, Hempstead, Wigmore, and Bredhurst. These areas see plenty of horse riders, many of whom have faced scary moments when startled by drivers zooming too close.
Backing the Pass Wide and Slow Campaign
To boost awareness, the officers joined local horse riders on a ride across their wards on 19 September 2021. The riders were part of the nationwide Pass Wide and Slow Campaign, a drive supported by stables up and down the UK to promote safer road sharing.
PCSO Sean Humphrey said: “Thankfully, collisions involving horse riders and cars are exceptionally rare and we want to keep it that way – that’s why we were more than happy to show our support to such an important campaign.
“If you do see a horse on the roads, please slow down your speed and only pass when it is safe to do so. That includes not overtaking on the approach to a corner and ensuring you leave plenty of space so you don’t startle the horse.”
Simple Rules to Keep Horses Safe
- Slow down when near horses.
- Pass wide and slow – give plenty of room.
- Avoid overtaking near corners or bends.
- Only pass when it’s completely safe.
Medway cops are clear: a little caution on the road can stop accidents and keep horses, riders, and drivers safe. So, watch out and slow down next time you spot a horse!
