campaign in the wake of the tragic death of rider Jason Jones.

And the Bermuda Equestrian Federation want to see a rewritten Traffic Code to include beefed-up information for drivers on how to deal with horses on the roads.

Federation president Michael Cherry said: "Accidents do happen -- but, quite frankly, a lot of accidents are unnecessary because of the attitudes of a lot of the drivers.'' And the moves were backed by new road safety officer Laura Smith -- herself a horsewoman.

Mr. Jones, 21, suffered serious head injuries after his horse was startled by passing traffic as he travelled along Paget's Point Finger Road on his way to compete at the recent Agricultural Show.

The young rider was thrown from the saddle -- and his parents took the brave decision to offer his organs for transplant after doctors held out no hope of recovery.

Mr. Cherry said Mr. Jones' death was the first fatality of a horse rider on the roads for decades -- but added there had been a a lot of serious injuries over the years.

And he added: "Every month we have an incident brought to our attention which was unnecessary -- people weren't taking the necessary precautions when there are horses on the roads.

"It's time people were reminded that horses are rather special and need a little bit of extra care.'' Mr. Cherry explained that the Federation had run its own road safety campaign some years ago -- but the drive stalled after the group ran out of funds.

He said: "It's something we would probably consider doing again -- I think there is a need for it.'' And he added the Traffic Code -- like the UK Highway Code -- should have clearer advice to drivers of the risks they run when passing highly-strung horses.

Mr. Cherry said: "That is one thing we could probably address and hopefully we will be doing something in the near to distant future.'' Traffic Code equestrian, so hopefully we could sit down with her and try to do something to stop these accidents like Mr. Jones' going on on our roads.'' And Mr. Cherry appealed for drivers to cut their speed when passing horses.

He said: "People get impatient when there is a horse or a carriage on the road and take unnecessary risks to get past them.

"It's an unfortunate fact of life that a lot of people would rather not see horses on the road at all.

"But they are here to stay and people have to learn to co-exist with them.

"If people would pay a bit more attention, be more courteous and more patient, we could probably avoid accidents.'' Ms Smith said: "We would have to have the Road Safety Council look at it -- but I'm sure something like this would get their support.'' She added she had already devoted attention to the issue of horses and traffic.

Ms Smith said: "I've drawn something up already -- it's not definitive, but it could be used as a starting point.'' She added: "Being an equestrian, I'm aware of the issues which are important to them. And having used the roads on a horse, I have that perspective.'' TRAFFIC TFC ACCIDENT AC