Riders around Britain could have access to safer roads, thanks to the work of a Cornish campaigner.
Debbie Smith launched a petition to encourage motorists to pass wide and slow last year (14 December) after having numerous run-ins with drivers going too fast on lanes around Penzance.
The petition, which also encourages riders to wear hat cameras in order to record dangerous driving, has reached more than 57,000 signatures.
Ms Smith and her local MP, Derek Thomas, presented the petition to Andrew Jones, road safety minister, on 23 February.
As a result of the meeting, a national THINK! campaign focusing on horses and riders is now on the cards. THINK! is a national campaign that aims to reduce the number of deaths on the roads.
Mr Jones will also be working with the police to ensure evidence recorded from riders’ hat cameras is taken seriously.
“It was a really positive meeting and I will happily take up the case with the THINK! team and police service,” Mr Jones told H&H. “The Highway Code already has strict rules in place that mean drivers can be prosecuted if they put riders in danger.”
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Mr Thomas said he will continue to work with Ms Smith to improve road safety for riders, both locally and nationally.
“The meeting went very well,” Ms Smith added. “Hopefully this will encourage riders to get hat cameras and drivers will realise there will be a consequence for dangerous driving.”
Ref: Horse & Hound; 3 March 2016
