AN equestrian road safety campaign is being supported by North Yorkshire Police.

The British Horse Society (BHS) Dead Slow campaign is a response to a large number of horse-related incidents on our roads.

In the five years since the society launched its horse accidents website, there have been more than 2,000 reports of road incidents involving horses across the UK.

Of these, 36 caused the death of the rider, and 181 resulted in the horses dying from their injuries or being put to sleep.

The Dead Slow campaign urges drivers to slow down to 15mph when they meet a horse and rider on the road.

Amy Clements, regional manager for the BHS, said: "All too often road incidents can cause life changing injuries or unnecessary deaths. This has got to stop. With North Yorkshire Police’s support we aim to make the roads safer for horses and riders in the region."

North Yorkshire Police backed the Dead Slow campaign at the Great Yorkshire Show last week, displaying Dead Slow banners and talking to members of the public about the campaign.

PC Hannah McPeake, of North Yorkshire Police’s rural taskforce, said: "One of the biggest issues within the North Yorkshire equestrian community is concern about how vehicles drive past them when they are riding on the roads.

"As well as collisions which can result in serious injuries, there are also a lot of near-misses which leave both horse and rider shaken and terrified to ride on the roads again.

"Horses and riders should be able to ride on North Yorkshire’s roads and feel safe. We are looking forward to working with the British Horse Society to help promote road safety and educate road users on how to pass horses safely."

Horse accidents can be reported to the BHS via the website at horseaccidents.org.uk

North Yorkshire Police’s Horse Watch scheme was relaunched in May by the force’s rural taskforce. As well as backing the Dead Slow campaign, the scheme uses sophisticated property marking technology to protect tack from criminals.