A DROITWICH woman has called on the police to carry out a similar operations for horse riders to those done last week to educate motorists on the dangers of driving too close to cyclists.
The calls from Nikki Frost follow the ‘Close Pass’ scheme which was carried out in Bromsgrove.
That saw a plain-clothed police officer cycling around Aston Fields and when motorists got too close, he contacted colleagues who pulled the driver over and spoke to them about their approach, advising them of the 5ft (1.5metre) gap they should be leaving for riders.
Nikki, in a letter to The Standard, said: “I commend the police for their actions against inconsiderate vehicle drivers’ attitude towards cyclists.
“Could the same actions be taken regarding similar drivers and their poor attitudes towards horse riders?
“Some drivers seem to see the horse, and not that there is a human on top – some seem to fail to see us, and others say that we shouldn’t be on the roads.
“I have to say that many drivers are considerate.”
She said, if spooked a horse could move sideways up to 50km/h.
“No horse is 100 per cent bombproof – it’s a living thing.
“I am a mum, wife, aunt, sister, daughter, grandma. I happen to be on board a half-tonne animal.
“I am at a height of about 2.5m, I can see much further on country lanes than a driver, cyclist, motorcyclist can.
“I can usually see over hedges, and spot that tractor/ combine/HGV round the corner.
“I wear high visibility clothing and lights so you have every chance of seeing me and my horse.”
She urged drivers to slow down and give plenty of room when passing horses for the riders’ safety and the motorist’s.
Sgt David King said a Close Pass scheme for horse riders would be possible but it would need a mounted police officer to take part in the scheme and it would be a case of finding one locally.
