Dartmoor horse-riders encouraged to report road incidents with new police safety campaign

Road incidents involving horses in Devon are significantly underreported, police have said, as new safety films aim to protect riders and drivers on rural routes including Dartmoor.

Earlier this month, Devon & Cornwall Police joined forces with The Mare and Foal Sanctuary and the British Horse Society to release a series of short horse road safety films promoting safe passing distances, slower speeds and clearer reporting of incidents.

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While the campaign was filmed in North Devon, its message is particularly relevant to Dartmoor and rural West Devon, where narrow lanes, limited visibility and seasonal tourism traffic can increase risks for riders.

Speaking to The Moorlander, a Devon & Cornwall Police spokesperson said incidents involving horses on the roads in Devon and Cornwall are “largely underreported to police”.

The spokesperson added: “In March last year, Devon & Cornwall Police received a total of 685 ‘Operation Snap’ submissions, of which only six involved horses.”

Operation Snap allows members of the public to submit dash-cam or helmet-cam footage of suspected road traffic offences for review.

From the British Horse Society’s 2024 “Dead Slow” campaign data, 102 incidents involving horses were recorded in Devon last year. 

The figures show 22 horse fatalities and 14 horses injured in the county, with no people recorded as injured in those Devon incidents.

Across the South West region, 384 incidents were logged in 2024, resulting in 22 horse deaths, 19 horses injured and six people injured.

Police say they are keen to encourage the equine community across Dartmoor and beyond to report collisions and near-misses to help build a more accurate picture of road safety issues locally.

Rural Affairs Officer PC Lucy Wyatt is the lead for Equine Crime at Devon & Cornwall Police. 

She said: “I grew up riding horses and have experienced, first-hand, how dangerous it can be when motorists pass too fast or too close. 

‘When approaching horses and riders on the road, drivers should slow down to no more than ten miles per hour, avoid revving their engine or honking their horn and then pass slowly when safe to do so, allowing at least two metres of space between the horse and vehicle.

Jenna Goldby, Head of Welfare and Rehoming at The Mare and Foal Sanctuary, believes all riders and handlers should regularly review and refresh their knowledge of road safety. 

She said, “Every ride or walk on the road carries risk, and we all need to treat road safety as seriously as we do our horse’s health and keep up to date with changes and new advice.

Two full-length safety films are now available online, with guidance urging drivers to slow to 10mph, pass wide and allow at least two metres of space.