Written question asked by Peter L Pike (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 January 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 30 January 1998. It was answered by Glenda Jackson (Labour) on Friday, 30 January 1998 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many horse-related accidents there have been and how many related fatalities on public roads, in each of the last five years; and what measures he plans to take to improve safety in this area.

Answer: Mr. Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many horse-related accidents there have been and how many related fatalities on public roads, in each of the last five years; and what measures he plans to take to improve safety in this area. [25325] Ms Glenda Jackson: The statistics requested are not available because they are not specifically identifiable in the national road accidents database. However, a current review of the collection system is considering a proposal to include ridden-horses as a separately identifiable category in the national database, and a decision will be announced by the end of March 1998. We will continue to provide advice for drivers and horse riders in the Highway Code and the Highway Code for Young Road Users. The theory test for drivers includes questions about horses and the leaflet "Horse Sense for Motorists" is widely available.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 305 c443W; 25325
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Accidents Horse riding Young people Safety Safety measures Roads Sports Highway code
Contains statistics: Yes