Invention could make roads safer for horse riders

Hather Muir, the creator of VisiWhip, said she has noticed a big difference in the distance now given between her and oncoming drivers

A horse rider who found herself experiencing numerous near-misses on the road hopes a flag she has invented will help prevent accidents.

VisiWhip, a high visibility triangle, is designed to give advanced warning to oncoming drivers.

Inventor Heather Muir, from Swindon, said she felt the device had "huge difference" to her safety.

The invention has been backed by the Pass Wide and Slow group, which has 50,000 members on Facebook.

Ms Muir said: "Just occupying a little bit more road space by extending the whip out into the road and making the end of the dressage whip much more visible to drivers makes all the difference."

The rider is able to move the VisiWhip up and down to signal oncoming drivers to slow down or allow a wider distance

Despite the highway safety code recommending a speed of 10mph and two metres distance when passing horses, incidents are still common.

Across the UK, in the last year there were 3,500 road incidents involving horses, with more than 150 riders hurt and nearly 70 horses killed.

VisiWhip is an extension that mounts onto the end of a dressage whip. The design has been piloted and developed over the last four to five years, and is patented.

Debbie Smith, campaign leader of the Pass Wide and Slow group, said: "I've had people pass by me on the road without seeing or even acknowledging me or my horse.

"Anything that gets driver's attention is absolutely what we need."