Riding and Road Safety

North East Wales Region's Road Safety Officer Wendy Tobias-Jones 01492 517814

The BHS and MoD launch high-viz clothing initiative
5th June 2006

The British Horse Society and the Ministry of Defence today (5 june) launched a high visibility clothing initiative as part of a joint campaign to encourage riders to be seen by low-flying helicopters.

Tom Watson, Under-Secretary of State for Defence, and Graham Cory, Chief Executive of The British Horse Society, launched the initiative at RAF Benson, Wallingford, Oxfordshire.

Mr Watson said: “We are committed to taking forward safety issues whenever and wherever possible. The BHS are great partners of ours and I hope that we can support them.”

Mr Cory said: “A horse rider that can be seen in good time, can be avoided in good time. Properly attired riders and horses are visible in plenty of time for pilots to take appropriate evasive action, those which are not so attired are invisible until the very last moment.”

The tabards and sheets were developed at by V-bandz and the BHS. Fiona Kennedy, Chief Executive of V-bandz, said: “We are delighted to be working with the BHS and the MoD. Our whole company is based around making riders safe on the road and this initiative will certainly achieve that.”  

Sheila Hardy, BHS Safety Senior Executive, said: “Working in partnership with V-bandz, the BHS has taken major steps to ensure rider safety. We ask all riders to wear reflective gear throughout the year, no matter what the weather or season.”

Reflective tabards and sheets are available from the BHS free of charge, including delivery. There are limited numbers available and anybody interested should email with their name, address and the size of their horse.

Riders from Dedicated User Areas and Helicopter Training Areas will be given priority when issuing the high-viz gear.

There is also a helicopter freephone advisory service on 0800 515554.

Wouldn't be seen dead in one! 

You could easily be seen dead without one, so could your horse. Be seen by road users and high flyers too.

Did you know that helicopter pilots will change route if they see your fluorescent tabard? Without one, you could be flying high with your new angels' wings!

BHS CYMRU High Visibility waiscoats: superb quality—all sizes available

They're not designed to make you look good, but to be seen well!

Members £6.00 including p&p
Non members £7.00 including p&p

Contact Barbara 01745 585574 or Jo 01745 833375

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