Riders' campaign to boost road safety

Four horses have died on Devon's roads this year

Horse riders in the South West are taking part in a new safety campaign to highlight dangers on the road.

The campaign aims to reduce the number of accidents involving horses and riders.

The main event is the Ride for Road Safety campaign on Saturday which has been organised by the British Horse Society in conjunction with Horse and Horse & Hound magazines.

Organisers will be lobbying horseriders and motorists to follow safety rules to help make the roads a safer place.

Clear signals

Riders will be encouraged to make clear signals and to wear high-visibility clothes.

Motorists are being urged to give horses more room and not to make sudden or loud noises as they overtake.

The campaign comes as the number of road accidents involving horses in Devon has increased.

At least four horses have already been killed on the county's roads this year.

There have also been more than 30 accidents across the South West region.

The British Horse Society hopes the campaign will help reduce these figures.

Riders are also being encouraged to support National Horse and Road Safety Day on 21 October.