Thames Valley Police crack down on unsafe horse rider overtaking

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 4 Nov, 12:05 · Archive

Thames Valley Police is running Operation Close Pass to target drivers who overtake horse riders too closely or unsafely.

Thames Valley Police is running Operation Close Pass, a crackdown on motorists who overtake horse riders too closely or too quickly. The operation targets drivers who fail to follow Highway Code guidance on safely passing horses.

As part of the operation, plain-clothes police officers ride horses equipped with video cameras to identify motorists passing unsafely. Police can then intervene and take appropriate action against offending drivers.

The Highway Code advises motorists overtaking horse riders to do so at no more than 10mph and leave at least two metres of space. Drivers are also urged not to sound their horns, rev their engines or accelerate hard after overtaking, as horses can be startled and become unpredictable.

Sergeant Kerry White of Thames Valley Police's Roads Policing Unit said: "Operation Close Pass is about protecting these riders, who are especially vulnerable and can be seriously injured if drivers pass too closely or too quickly. Horses can be unpredictable if they are startled, so it is vital that motorists slow down, give plenty of space and pass with care."

Alan Hiscox, director of safety at the British Horse Society, said too many horses had lost their lives on roads over the past decade. He said Operation Close Pass was "vital" in making motorists more aware of how to safely overtake horse riders and carriage drivers. Motorists are being encouraged to remain patient and follow the Highway Code when encountering horses on the road.

How it is being reported

• Drivers warned as police launch crackdown on dangerous horse rider overtakesPolice officers on horseback are targeting motorists who pass horse riders too closely or too quickly as part of Operation Close Pass.Bucks Free Press · 4 Nov, 11:37
• Thames Valley Police crack down on motorists overtaking horse ridersA police operation has been targeting motorists who ignore Highway Code rules on overtaking horse riders, putting the safety of animals and riders at risk.Bucks Herald · 3 Nov, 14:29
• Thames Valley Police crack down on motorists overtaking horse ridersA police operation has been targeting motorists who ignore Highway Code rules on overtaking horse riders, putting the safety of animals and riders at risk.MK Citizen · 3 Nov, 14:29

In this story: Thames Valley Police · British Horse Society · Kerry White · Alan Hiscox

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log