PASS WIDE AND SLOW 

The Pass Wide & Slow group have been contacted by countless individuals who have lost their beloved animals due to reckless driving on our roads; it's time we take action so no more lives are lost 

Katie's story is a heartbreaking example of the urgent need for stronger legal protections for horse riders on our roads. The current guidelines in the Highway Code, specifically section 215, advise drivers to pass horses at MAX  10 mph and 2 meter wide, if not able to give 2 meters  wait until either wide enough to do so or for the rider to able to pull over to give room to pass.  While these guidelines are crucial for safety, they lack the enforceability of law, leaving riders and their horses vulnerable.

Too often, incidents involving horses and vehicles result in severe injuries or fatalities, yet drivers face no legal consequences because existing laws do not adequately address these situations. Charges of dangerous or careless driving are typically considered only after a tragedy has occurred, which is far too late to prevent harm.

Making the recommendations of Highway Code section 215 into enforceable law of 10mph could significantly enhance safety for horse riders. By mandating slower speeds and greater distances when passing horses, and by holding drivers accountable for failing to adhere to these standards, we can reduce the number of accidents and protect both riders and their horses.

This change is not just about preventing injuries and deaths; it’s about acknowledging and respecting the presence of horse riders on our roads and ensuring that all road users can coexist safely. The loss of horses like Katie is a tragic reminder that we need to act now to prevent future tragedies

KATIE  

On Sunday 2 nd April 2023 I went out for a carriage drive with Katie our Welsh pony, Ellie my friend rode Billy our Welsh cob. We decided that we would avoid Lon Ffoslas as a pony and carriage had been hit there only days earlier causing serious damage and injuries to pony, occupants and carriage.Better safe than sorry supposedly  we hi-VIZ to the hilt with three sets of lights on rear of carriag lights on Billy being ridden behind us. Ellie always wears a signalling light vest and we have three cameras covering traffic approaching from front or behind us. Both ponies are experienced, traffic safe (as safe as any pony can be) with over 700 road driven miles for 15 year old Katie and 1000 ridden miles for 19 year old Billy as they are not spring chickens,just like me. They are my life, my legs, my confidence but most of all my friends and part of my family, I adore them. Billy and Katie were happy to be going out again as its been a long wet winter and they have been rested with only the occasional outing to get them ready for today as it’s our first day of a new rideout competition to create confidence as well as encouraging others to spend time with their ponies and friends. We left the yard just after noon with Sandra seeing us out onto the road as ever, Katie couldn’t wait she was pawing the ground in anticipation of Sandra’s signal that it was clear and she could head on out. Before we had gone around the first bend I had to wave an oncoming motorist to slow down Then approaching the turn for Capel Teilo Road we had a black car overtake us whilst another car was oncoming. This was all in full view of hazard signs warning of sharp bend and to slow down, this area has seen fatalities in the past. It beggars belief. To be honest I no longer care if motorists put themselves at risk but sadly that is hardly ever the outcome, it is more usually onlookers, innocent fellow road users that pay the price for others haste, lack of care or lack of common sense. We seem to live in a selfish society.There is hardly any concern for vulnerable road users.Continuing up towards the washery, ponies were happy and forward going , Ellie and I actually commented on it, how lovely it was to be out with them. It seemed like a lovely day for a ride and drive together.In the distance we could hear a motorbike approaching from behind us, so decided to trot on to the washery so as to pull in and let the rider pass safely. The motorcyclist was brilliant, kept well back,waited until we were safely pulled in before slowly passing us and waving thanks. He regained speed once well passed us. It was very refreshing motorcyclists are often excellent though. PSo back on the road we trotted and walked, had a few cars pass us from either direction with no problems. Approached the top of a hill had a few cars pass us before approaching mudlescwm dip ( a bendnasty camber, working farm gateway and hill all together) when we became aware of a vehicle coming down the hill behind us its brakes screeching spooking Billy and Katie, we calmed them back to a walk and I turned to see what the vehicle was expecting it to be a lorry and waiting for air Brakes but it was a white bee hire lwb Mercedes sprinter van. The driver was keeping back at this point but was revving, you could hear and feel his intention was to speed past as soon as possible, so I said to Ellie to signal left that we intended to pull into Mudlescwm gateway thinking it would be safer for us. We both indicated left with our arms. I then took up my reins with my driving hand and proceeded to walk/jog Katie to pull in but as I turned her the driver seized his opportunity to get passed and noisily increased speed so as to get up the hill and to also get passed us before the oncoming car was on top of him as he had misjudged his pulling out and an oncoming car was

coming over the brow of the hill.

If only he had waited, if only he had been patient, why were we not worthy of two seconds of 

Thank you to the vet, emergency services were very professional, caring and considerate. 

Please don’t let someone else’s pony go through what Katie did, she deserved so much better.

Katie, I will always miss you, you taking yourself for walks when we first had you, the love you 

love you so very much xxx
The Pass Wide & Slow group have been contacted by countless individuals who have lost their beloved animals due to reckless driving on our roads; it's time we take action so no more lives are lost needlessly.

By making the advice in section 215 of the Highway Code into law, we can provide much-needed protection for horse riders across the country and hold reckless drivers accountable for their actions before it's too late.

Please sign this petition today and help us make our roads safer for all users, including those of us on horseback.