TyreSafe has forged an important partnership with Pass Wide and Slow (PWAS), a grassroots movement advocating for horse and rider safety on the roads. This collaboration is part of TyreSafe’s ongoing mission to engage with all road users and raise awareness of the dangers posed by illegal or poorly maintained tyres.
Founded in 2015 by Debbie Smith, Pass Wide and Slow has grown into a vibrant online community of over 50,000 members on Facebook, driven by a shared goal of improving safety for horses and riders. The initiative emerged after Debbie’s personal experience with the dangers horses face on the road, and since then, PWAS has been instrumental in advocating for better driver education and stronger laws to protect equestrians.
In 2023 alone, there were 3,383 road incidents involving horses, with 66 horses and three riders losing their lives. A staggering 85% of these incidents occurred because vehicles passed horses too closely or too quickly. Tyres play a crucial role in a vehicle’s performance and handling, and driving on poorly maintained or illegal tyres could present additional risk to both the horse and its rider as the driver manoeuvres past. In addition, a recent report by the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC), highlighted that rural roads, where vehicles are most likely to encounter riders, remain the most dangerous type of roads in the UK, accounting for a staggering 59% of all road deaths in 2022. This translates to over 10,100 fatalities on rural roads over the past decade.
Through this partnership, TyreSafe and PWAS aim to tackle the critical issue of tyre safety, a significant factor in road incidents. Whether it’s drivers passing riders, equestrians who also drive cars, tow horseboxes or trailers, or any other road user, understanding the risks of poorly maintained tyres is vital. The collaboration also bolsters TyreSafe’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness of safe towing practices across all sectors of road users.
Debbie Smith, Founder of Pass Wide and Slow, said, “Partnering with TyreSafe is a crucial step in our mission to make roads safer for horses, riders, and all road users. Many people don’t realise how much a vehicle’s condition, especially its tyres, can affect safety. Horses are flight animals, and a sudden noise or movement caused by a blowout or poor vehicle handling could lead to a tragedy. Together with TyreSafe, we can better educate drivers and equestrians on the importance of tyre maintenance and safe driving practices around horses.”
Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe Chair, said, “Our partnership with Pass Wide and Slow reflects TyreSafe’s commitment to engaging with all road users to create safer journeys for everyone. Horses and riders are particularly vulnerable on the roads, and it’s essential to address the dangers posed by illegal or poorly maintained tyres. By working with PWAS, we can extend our reach into the equestrian community and beyond, promoting tyre safety as a critical aspect of road safety. Together, we can make a real difference in preventing incidents and protecting lives.”
This partnership will focus on collaborative campaigns to educate both equestrians and non-equestrians on tyre safety and safe road practices. From social media awareness drives to resources promoting safe towing practices, the partnership aims to create a better understanding of the shared responsibilities of all road users.
TyreSafe encourages everyone to follow Pass Wide and Slow on social media to support their ongoing efforts and join the conversation about equestrian road safety.
For more information about TyreSafe, visit www.tyresafe.org. To learn more about Pass Wide and Slow, join their Facebook community here.
Source: Tyretradenews
