Road Safety for Horsemen

Whoa down! — Road Safety for Riders and Motorists

Anyone who has ridden alongside a road can tell you that highway safety is no joking matter. Few motorists have any understanding of how quickly an accident can happen on the road, and particularly when it involves horses. Our local trails association (FETA) talked with me about doing some research and developing a handout that would educate horsemen and vehicle drivers about highway safety.

The result is a handy page that you can download (links below), and an article on road safety in the April 2008 issue of Perfect Horse Magazine. As well, I've had the opportunity to talk with horse groups about safe riding-on-the-road practices, and to talk with truck drivers and EMS first responders about the topic.

One of the most important things that riders can do is to wear bright clothing, even in daylight. We did an informal test and found that wearing neon yellow, safety orange, or white made a huge difference. The quicker that a driver can see you, the better the chances of avoiding an accident or a big scare.

I encourage you to read the article in Perfect Horse magazine, and to download the information cards below. Pass them out to your friends, and take a moment to talk with any drivers in your area. Sharing information may make it just a little safer when sharing the road.

Riding for the Road - Information Cards

For riders: download pdf for riders

For motorists: download pdf for vehicle drivers