Drivers have been warned to reduce speeds to 10mph when travelling on certain A-roads after growing safety concerns about motorists ignoring Highway Code rules.
South Wales Police has launched Operation Arabis, a road safety initiative run by its Mounted Section in collaboration with the British Horse Society and Project EDWARD.
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The scheme aims to improve awareness for motorists about how to overtake horses and their riders safely on public roads.
Combining enforcement with education, the operation targets both drivers and equestrians, seeking to lower the chances of collisions and protect all road users.
It comes after horses ranked among the most vulnerable users of UK roads, as they can be easily spooked by vehicles travelling too fast or passing too close.
The Highway Code urges drivers to reduce speeds to no more than 10mph, maintain a gap of at least two metres, overtake widely and slowly, and avoid revving the engine or using the horn.
Rule 215 states: “Be particularly careful of horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles, especially when approaching, overtaking, passing or moving away. Always pass wide and slowly.
“When you see a horse on a road, you should slow down to a maximum of 10mph. Be patient, do not sound your horn or rev your engine. When safe to do so, pass wide and slow, allowing at least two metres of space.”
The Miskin area was chosen for a recent enforcement and education exercise after data from the British Horse Society flagged the route as a location where multiple incidents involving equestrians had been recorded.
During the operation, mounted officers patrolled the route on horseback without any visible police markings, enabling them to witness how drivers naturally behaved when encountering horses on the road.
Where necessary, officers pulled over drivers to offer guidance and instruction on appropriate conduct around horses.
Over the course of that afternoon, 27 vehicles were stopped by officers, while seven motorists were spoken to regarding the way they had driven past the horses, and one driver was issued a traffic offence report.
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Officers also made an appearance at the Royal Welsh Show, where they worked alongside partner organisations to highlight the importance of sharing roads responsibly with equestrians.
The event gave the team a chance to engage directly with members of the public and reinforce key safety messages about overtaking horses.
By reducing speed and allowing generous space when passing, motorists can significantly cut the risk of a serious collision or injury to riders, horses and other road users.
Sergeant Terresa Sullivan described the operation’s purpose in clear terms: “By slowing down, leaving plenty of space and showing patience, motorists can help keep horses, riders and everyone else using our roads safe.
“The data provided through the British Horse Society’s app is invaluable in helping us identify routes where riders are experiencing problems.
“We will continue to target enforcement and education activity in areas where high numbers of incidents are reported, ensuring drivers understand their responsibilities and helping to make our roads safer for everyone.”
The British Horse Society explained that horses are prey animals by nature, retaining a powerful flight instinct even when domesticated, which can cause them to react unpredictably to sudden or loud noises, despite thorough training.
Drivers who notice a horse appearing tense, moving sideways or “jogging” on the spot should stop and switch off their engine, waiting until the animal has moved well clear before pulling away.
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