You are driving on a narrow unlit country road at night and see a person ahead on the nearside verge leading a dark-coloured horse. The person is wearing a reflective jacket, but neither the person nor the horse has any lights fitted. According to the Highway Code, what main hazard should you anticipate in this situation?

Explanation

Highway Code Rule 51 states that at night, riders and people leading horses should wear reflective clothing and use a light showing white to the front and red to the rear, carried in the right hand or fitted to the rider’s right arm or leg. Reflective bands should also be worn by the horse above the fetlock joints, and a fluorescent/reflective tail guard is strongly recommended. Without the required white-to-front and red-to-rear lights, a driver may not see the horse and handler clearly or be able to judge their position and speed, especially on an unlit road. This creates a significant hazard and drivers should slow right down and be prepared for the horse or handler to be closer to the carriageway than they appear.