TyreSafe has joined forces with Pass Wide and Slow (PWAS), a prominent grassroots movement advocating for horse and rider safety on the roads. This new partnership reflects TyreSafe’s dedication to engaging with all road users and raising awareness about the dangers posed by illegal or poorly maintained tyres.

Pass Wide and Slow, founded in 2015 by Debbie Smith, has grown into an active online community of more than 50,000 members on Facebook. Motivated by her personal experience with the dangers horses face on roads, Smith created the initiative to drive education and promote stronger protections for equestrians.

A Growing Need for Road Safety

The importance of this partnership is underscored by sobering statistics. In 2023 alone, 3,383 road incidents involved horses, leading to the tragic loss of 66 horses and three riders. Alarmingly, 85% of these incidents occurred because vehicles passed horses too closely or too quickly.

Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe Chair, emphasised the importance of the collaboration:

“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.”

The role of tyres in such incidents cannot be overstated. Poorly maintained tyres can compromise a vehicle’s handling, especially on rural roads, which account for 59% of all road deaths in the UK. Drivers passing equestrians, and equestrians towing horseboxes or trailers, face additional risks from blowouts or reduced handling caused by unsafe tyres.

Educating Drivers and Equestrians

Debbie Smith, Founder of PWAS, highlighted the importance of tyre safety in the equestrian community:

“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.”

What the Partnership Involves

The collaboration will focus on educational campaigns aimed at both equestrians and the wider driving public. From social media initiatives to resources promoting safe towing practices, TyreSafe and PWAS aim to foster a deeper understanding of the shared responsibilities of all road users.

TyreSafe also encourages the public to support PWAS’s mission by joining their online community here and spreading awareness about equestrian road safety.

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