PLAIN-CLOTHED police officers who rode horses to witness motorists flouting rules with overtaking distances have vowed to continue their work in an effort to improve riders’ safety.

An operation aimed at improving awareness of horse rider safety took place last week in the North East ward of Barnsley which covers Royston, Shafton, Grimethorpe, Cudworth and Brierley.

Changes to the Highway Code were brought in three years ago, which resulted in drivers being told to pass horses at no more than 10mph and with two metres of space.

A police spokesperson said: “Our mounted colleagues went ‘undercover’ to gauge drivers’ behaviour when performing overtakes.

“It was pleasing to see that the majority of drivers were considerate when passing our colleagues leaving the required two metres and travelling no faster than 10mph.

“We stopped and spoke with those who didn’t quite get it right and reminded them of the expectations set out in the Highway Code supporting this with information supplied by the British Horse Society.

“Out of the hundreds of vehicles involved only 28 were stopped for feedback.

“You may be in a rush but the law is clear - the responsibility for safely overtaking is on the driver of any motor vehicle.”

The action has been called for by Julie Fields, a horse rider who has been campaigning for safer riding conditions.

She said more than 30 accidents have occurred on popular routes used by riders around the North East ward in recent years.

Barnsley North MP Dan Jarvis told the Chronicle that horse riders deserve to use the roads in safety.

“I have raised the issue of drivers passing too closely to horses both locally and nationally, engaging with the police, local councillors and a government minister.

“The enforcement of the law on close passing rightly rests with the police and they have my full support in keeping riders safe, protecting horses and apprehending dangerous drivers.”