The sound of horse’s hooves clip clopping through communities across Aotearoa New Zealand was a joy to watch as riders united with the World in raising awareness about the need for motorists to pass a horse or carriage driver WIDE and SLOW. 

In total there were 119 road safety awareness rides registered in the UK, 2 in USA, 31 in New Zealand, 1 in Canada, 4 in Australia and 1 in South Africa.

Press Release for Pass Wide & Slow NZ Awareness Rides 2025

Horse riders and carriage drivers across Aotearoa New Zealand will ride in solidarity with equestrians across the World this month to promote a life saving road safety message. 

On 13 and 14 September, New Zealanders along with riders in the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, Western Australia and America will collectively raise awareness about how to safely approach and pass a horse on the road. 

Fonterra shows support for Pass Wide & Slow NZ and the official PWASNZ Worldwide Awareness Rides through collaborating to print hi- vis vests that will be distributed to riders across Aotearoa.

The speed and closeness at which vehicles pass my old tractor, as I trundle down the road to access the trail to be serviced, leaves no difficulty in imagining what would happen if a driver cut in too close to the horse. Most humans would freak out too!

On this day we were walking the ponies back and could see a large truck coming behind us (from the North).  It wasn't slowing down. My daughter said “it’s not slowing down” and was panicking, so I tried to take her pony as well and run both of them into a nearby driveway to get out of the way.  But both ponies were panicking by this stage.  I got twisted in the ropes as the first truck went past us at 100km and fell over. The ponies bolted.  Unfortunately there was a second truck from the same trucking company following close behind and as Rosie tried to bolt home, she crossed the road and got hit by the second truck and flung in the air. 

“It’s made me feel like there’s some accountability.” Leanne Reedy 

Pass Wide and Slow New Zealand together with Dr Tony Parsons, Chair of the Equine Welfare and Ethics group and Helen Beattie of Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Aotearoa wrote to the Police Commissioner requesting officers receive adequate training on how to humanely euthanise a horse.  

Jim’s tragic incident and the events that unfolded shocked us all.  PWASNZ is grateful to the Reedy whanau for its support in allowing advocates to seek improvements on their behalf and to NZ Police for its respectful response.

“Most motorists are great but you only need one driver who doesn’t take account.  To me it’s very personal because I was hit by a motorbike whilst riding once and my horse was killed.  Pass Wide and Slow. It is a matter of life and death.” Ros, Waimakariri Riding Club member

43 equestrians and horses pay their respect to the 43 LIVES LOST whilst riding or driving a horse on New Zealand’s roads as part of Road Safety Week 2025 with a powerful photo shoot.

Recently obtained statistics by Pass Wide & Slow NZ (PWASNZ) have revealed the true extent of suffering on New Zealand roads and equestrians are determined to lead positive change. 

Are we preparing our drivers in dealing with horses on the road? Are we taught much about sharing the road with horses when we learn to drive? Probably not. What does the current learning-to-drive regime contain about horses?

Ereti saddled her friend’s horse and they all headed out single file down the quiet road. 

It wasn’t long before they heard a 4WD ute approach from behind, revving its engine.  They recognised the young driver, and at first no-one thought too much of it.   The vehicle passed.  But a second 4WD approached and when it was close to the horses, it blasted its horn continuously.  This frightened all three, and the horses bolted. 

The engine of the truck and trailer unit started to slow down when it saw them and continued past the three horses. There was no grass verge.  The drivers cab past Jim who was in the middle of the three, and the trailer unit struck his mare.  Jim was thrown, hitting his head on the corner of a plastic water tank on the load.  He landed on the road. His mare lay on the road and she was put down at the scene.

Have you ever had a car pass you so close that you could have moved your foot 2cm and made contact with it?  So fast that it would have just about taken your foot off?  While that isn't the only near miss I've had while out riding my horse, it was most certainly the scariest one.

The biggest impact and something I will never forget is a call from my best friend's mother that my 16-year old friend is dead.  She and her horse had been hit by a car “can you come, can you come”.  I drove out and they were loading my friend into the back of the ambulance. Her horse was lying on the road in pain. I went and borrowed a gun from someone I knew and put the horse down.  My friend died on the way to hospital.  It was horrible.

On December 13, 2024 my life changed and the aftermath of it all means a long personal recovery for me, and experiencing first hand a system that is broken for horse riders. I don’t say that lightly but the facts speak for themselves. 

I have had many near misses whilst walking, running, cycling and riding or driving my horse. Fast-moving vehicles passing way too close have forced me onto the verge resulting in me being catapulted over the handlebars of my bike.  While out running I have stumbled and fallen on my face numerous times when trying to escape traffic.

Riders across Aotearoa New Zealand are loosing access to trails and land at an alarming rate. This has resulted in more riders being forced to ride on our very unsafe roads. Learn about the huge loss of access. Once we have Vulnerable Road User status councils will need include horse riders in planning. But we cannot wait we have to act now. Get familiar with what your council is doing in your region and use your voice to advocate.

Hi vis can save your life and the life of your horse. Learn more about what hi vis items PWASNZ belief can help your stay safer on the road. Always wear your hi vis, as you must play your part in staying safe on the roads.