As traffic and equestrian routes continue to share space on the UK’s road network, a powerful collaboration between GEM Motoring Assist and the British Horse Society (BHS) is aiming to make a life-saving difference. Next week (12 to 16 May), a 50-mile awareness ride will take place between Lambourn and Windsor, spotlighting a critical message for motorists: slow down and give horses space.
Joining the four-person team of riders on this awareness-raising journey is James Luckhurst, GEM’s Head of Road Safety and founder of Project EDWARD (Every Day Without A Road Death). With two horses and a shared mission, the ride will span the countryside of West Berkshire through to the prestigious Royal Windsor Horse Show arena — where the riders will be welcomed by BHS president and actor Martin Clunes.
The campaign focuses on the importance of Rule 215 of the Highway Code, introduced in 2022, which specifically advises drivers to reduce their speed to a maximum of 10mph and leave at least two metres of space when passing horses on the road. It’s a straightforward rule, yet far too often ignored — and the consequences can be fatal.
In 2024 alone, 58 horses were killed and another 97 injured in road collisions. Alarmingly, 81% of these incidents were caused by vehicles passing too closely or too fast. The tragic death of Knockalla, a three-year-old racehorse fatally struck by a speeding car near Lambourn, was a defining moment and catalyst for the upcoming ride.
Luckhurst, who launched Project EDWARD in 2016 as a pan-European road safety initiative, hopes the visibility of this event will encourage drivers to adopt safer behaviours around horses.
“A horse is different from other road users — it has its own instincts and sensitivities,” he explains.
“Leaving that two-metre gap and slowing to 10mph isn’t just good manners. It’s essential for everyone’s safety. Startling a horse can lead to devastating outcomes — for the animal, the rider and even for the vehicle involved.”
Backed by GEM Motoring Assist, the first organisation to support Project EDWARD, this campaign builds on a longstanding commitment to reducing road deaths. Throughout the week, the team will make several stops to engage with the public, including conversations with MPs Lee Dillon (Newbury) and Jack Rankin (Windsor), as well as support from Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber at the start line.
The ride forms part of the BHS’s Dead Slow campaign, which works to protect horses and their riders by educating drivers on how to share the road responsibly. As rural and suburban roads grow busier, these interactions between vehicles and horses are becoming more frequent — and more dangerous.
GEM’s top tips for passing horses safely:
- Slow down to a maximum of 10mph.
- Pass wide and slow, allowing at least two metres of space.
- Stay calm and patient — avoid revving the engine or using your horn.
- Wait for a clear opportunity to pass, and be prepared to stop if the rider signals you to.
- Pay close attention to child riders, double-file riding, and any hand signals given by riders.
The journey from Lambourn to Windsor is more than symbolic — it’s a practical and visible reminder that safe roads are shared roads. You can follow the team’s progress throughout the week on social media and at:
https://projectedward.org/bhs/lambourn-to-windsor-ride/
Will you be slowing down for safety the next time you pass a horse?
