As part of its mission to improve road safety throughout the UK, GEM Motoring Assist has launched a brand new campaign to promote horse rider road safety, which has been given the seal of approval by TV personality Deborah Meaden.
With almost 10% of reported incidents in 2012 resulting in a horse fatality and 7% causing serious injury to the rider, GEM, road safety organisation and breakdown cover company, has created a ‘Horse Rider Safety’ leaflet in conjunction with The British Horse Society to promote road safety for both horse riders and drivers alike.
Deborah Meaden, entrepreneur and Dragons’ Den investor, is in full support of GEM’s horse rider road safety campaign. Horse owner and rider herself, Deborah sits on the council of ambassadors for WWF and is also involved with the international animal and horse welfare organisation, The Brooke.
Deborah comments: “For drivers and horse riders it is crucial that both parties fully acknowledge and understand the importance of road safety. Sharing the road means shared responsibility, and this campaign offers a great resource for seeing things through the eyes of both the rider and the driver.”
Cleverly laid out, GEM’s leaflet features advice from the viewpoint of the horse rider on one side and, when turned over, from the driver’s point of view. For horse riders, the leaflet includes issues such as hand signals and the importance of fluorescent leg wraps for the most visible parts of a horse. For motorists, the leaflet advises on appropriate speed, the nature of horses as ‘?ight’ animals and the dangers of sudden movement and noise.
David Williams MBE, CEO of GEM Motoring Assist, comments: “We wanted to make this campaign as neutral as possible, without taking the side of either the horse rider or the driver, so both perspectives are included. Working with The British Horse Society, we really want this leaflet to help riders and motorists work together to create the safest conditions for all road users.”
Sheila Hardy, Senior Executive Safety at The British Horse Society, comments: “We are delighted to broker this relationship with GEM as we work together to raise awareness of safety issues for motorists and horse riders sharing UK roads.”
To print a free copy of the ‘Horse Rider Safety’ leaflet, visit motoringassist.com/leaflets. Alternatively, call 01342 825676 to order a free, single hard copy or to order free bulk copies.
For more information on The British Horse Society, visit bhs.org.uk.
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