Why are the crossings not unmistakably marked with, for example, luminous rainbow stripes and big flashing lights or something?

Even drivers who regularly go through Newmarket get a bit blase and need a jolt, while more are strangers who have no idea of horse crossings.

The one halfway along Bury Road is the worst – there is nothing to indicate it is even there.

Can't some of the hedges and fences be lowered a bit so the motorist can see the horses approaching?

Or, even better, can't one rider go a bit ahead and stand by the road, if only for a couple of seconds, so as to warn that a string of horses is about to cross?

At present, many come out of nowhere and, while I appreciate that horses cannot be kept waiting, some form of warning would help.

Incidentally, if the speed limits were lowered, I hope this would not mean more trainers and riders feeling that they have a licence to just appear and cross, expecting the traffic to instantly halt – even at 30mph you need a few feet of braking distance to come to a full stop.

And why is it not mandatory for riders to wear florescent vests, or at least white clothing, instead of the dark blue and black they currently seem to favour?

And can't the horses have fluorescent or white blankets? The jockeys could at least be given fluorescent tape or reflectors to put on hats, boots, bridles and saddles.

I would have thought that anything that made them more visible would help reduce accidents and near misses.

And if it is a criminal offence for a motorist to use a mobile phone, or otherwise be driving and paying little attention to the road, shouldn't it be the same for the riders of volatile, unpredictable thoroughbreds?

The number of times I see them with an arm casually through the reins, while they either yap on their mobiles or have their heads turned while they natter to their mates, as if their mounts are ploddy seaside donkeys.

In all, there is plenty more the horseracing fraternity could do to improve safety other than just have the traffic go 10mph slower.

RUTH LANDER
Bill Rickaby Drive
Newmarket