Equestrian Road Safety in the United Kingdom: Factors Associated with Collisions and Horse Fatalities

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Horse riders report they frequently experience incidents with other road users, including dangerous near-misses and accidents. The British Horse Society has been collecting information about horse-related road incidents via their website since 2010. The aim of this study was to describe the incidents reported, how they have changed over time and across different UK regions, and the factors which may increase or reduce the risk of collision incidents and those resulting in horses being killed. Road rage and speeding were reported in 40% of incidents while drivers passing the horse too closely were reported in over 80% of incidents. Close passing distance, alone or when combined with speeding, contributed significantly to collisions while speeding alone contributed significantly to horse deaths. Wearing high visibility clothing reduced the risk of having a collision. A horse death caused by a road accident was almost 12 times as likely to result in severe to fatal injury to the rider/handler. Loose horses were more likely to be killed than ridden horses or those pulling a horse-drawn vehicle. Driver behaviour of how to pass horses safely on UK roads needs further improvement and will help reduce the risk of collisions and horse and human fatalities. ABSTRACT: Over 60% of UK horse riders report having experienced a road-related near-miss or accident. The aim of this study was to describe horse-related road incidents (n = 4107) reported to the British Horse Society (2010–2020) and to identify factors associated with higher odds of collisions with another vehicle and horse fatalities using multivariable logistic regression modelling. Drivers passed the horse too closely in 84.2% of incidents while road rage and speeding were reported in 40.3% and 40.1% of incidents, respectively. Close passing distance alone (odds ratio [OR] 18.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.5, 51.6) or in combination with speeding (OR 4.4, CI 1.7, 11.7) was associated with higher collision odds compared to speeding alone. Speeding was, however, associated with higher horse fatality odds (OR 2.3, CI 1.2, 4.6). Wearing high visibility clothing reduced odds of collision (OR 0.2, CI 0.1, 0.4). A fatal injury to a horse was almost 12 times as likely to result in severe to fatal rider/handler injury. Loose horses contribute significantly to road-related horse fatalities. Driver behaviour of how to pass horses safely on UK roads needs further improvement and will help reduce the risk of collisions and horse and human fatalities.