Website design By BotEap.comI have just read a report on accidents involving horses, produced by the British Horse Society. It deals with accidents with third parties, which includes traffic accidents. Much of this is aimed at the riding community, unsurprisingly, but I think two of the findings have implications that we all need to consider, even if you never go near a horse. They are especially worth considering precisely because they are not what most people, myself included, would expect.

Website design By BotEap.comFirst, let’s also look at the findings that didn’t surprise me, but did surprise you.

Website design By BotEap.comMost accidents occur on secondary roads in the countryside.

Website design By BotEap.com· Of course, this is partly because that is where most of the horses are found.

Website design By BotEap.comIt may also be because some horses react better to traffic when there is a steady flow than when a car suddenly appears.

Website design By BotEap.com· On rural roads there are often no sidewalks or shoulders to get out of harm’s way.

Website design By BotEap.com· There are many curves on the back country roads, so motorists cannot see horses or other hazards until they are close to them.

Website design By BotEap.comNow, let us consider the two surprising facts that the Report throws up:

Website design By BotEap.com1. The time of most traffic accidents is between 11 am and 3 pm, far from rush hour.

Website design By BotEap.comtwo. The worst month for these types of accidents is June, when you would think bad weather would be less likely than it is for most of the year.

Website design By BotEap.comSo why is this?

Website design By BotEap.comThe short answer is that no one knows.

Website design By BotEap.comBut we can try to speculate intelligently. Let’s ask ourselves some questions.

Website design By BotEap.com· Are there more horses on the roads at times that their riders consider safest, despite the fact that so many people have to ride before or after work or school most days?

Website design By BotEap.com· Do more people ride in June because it is more pleasant?

Website design By BotEap.com· Are cyclists less vigilant because they don’t expect as much traffic at those times?

Website design By BotEap.comNow here are a couple of really important questions:

Website design By BotEap.com1) Do many cyclists ride without high visibility clothing when visibility is good? Sometimes I have been driving and seen horses riding on the road only when I was quite close. High visibility would have helped me notice them and thus slow down sooner.

Website design By BotEap.com2) Do motorists drive faster and pay less attention when there is less traffic?

Website design By BotEap.comStill wondering what this has to do with your business?

Website design By BotEap.comAsk yourself these three questions:

Website design By BotEap.com· Do you care less when you think the risks are less, in any situation?

Website design By BotEap.com· Don’t bother with risk controls, eg high visibility clothing, when you think it won’t matter?

Website design By BotEap.com· Do you have statistics on accidents or other risks in your business? Do you study them?

Website design By BotEap.comWhen you’ve thought about how this applies to your business, remember to drive wide and slow between the horses, whether it’s midday in June or late on Christmas Eve.

Website design By BotEap.comIf you want to see more go to: www.bhs.org.uk/safety-and-accidents