I am confused. Why is the Ministry of Transport, NZTA and politicians who support the Pass Wide and Slow road safety message, suddenly promoting an unsafe passing distance for horse riders?
The answer to this question lies in the MoT Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) on all five proposals released for public consultation this week. After reading all 30 pages, I came away with an understanding that I must now share with you.
To begin, the Pass Wide and Slow road safety message, originating from the UK, was brought to New Zealand as a result of New Zealand Police endorsing the simple but effective driver behaviour message in 2024. Since then, NZ Police have supported two national awareness rides, coordinated by me that saw 51 rides go out across the islands in 2024 and around 30 last year. The 2-metre passing distance and request for drivers to give space and slowdown has been proactively supported by the entire equestrian sector and the uptake in community has been positive.
The Trust has been established to continue this work in a formal capacity and is rolling the Pass Wide and Slow message out to all vulnerable road user groups – walkers, cyclists and equines. Why? Because irrespective of whether there is a ‘mandatory’ or ‘suggested’ passing distance for a road user, drivers are encouraged to SLOW down and give SPACE, taking into account that a person on foot, two wheels or on an animal require EXTRA care in passing safely. The number of vulnerable road users killed or hurt on our roads is preventable, and education and awareness will SAVE LIVES.
To suddenly learn the Ministry of Transport and NZTA is promoting a 1 – 1.5-metre passing distance for horse riders, in line with cyclists, is a shock. This has NOT been advocated for at all in two years of advocating for improved status and road safety measures for this sector of community.
The good news – NZ Police have reconfirmed support for a 2m passing distance for horses. Their feedback to the MoT incorporates this. Thank you
What it comes down to after reading the RIS document is dollars – “efficiency”.
Currently NZ Police do NOT have the technology required to measure a breach in passing distance that would meet evidential standards. This is irrespective of a 1.5m or 2m rule. There is no intention from the MoT to buy this technology. The RIS document does acknowledge that guidance, signage, and additional awareness and education (a non-regulatory approach) is key to the effectiveness of the Rule Change.
When it comes to evidence or research used to inform the RIS around safely passing horse riders, MoT has looked at Australia, the Vulnerable Road User Submission and that’s it. No mention of the UK Highway Code, which is by all means streets ahead in this area. Australia on the other hand is similar to us by way of engaging with decision makers to effect meaningful safety measures to better protect equines on the road. Western Australia is doing the grunt work, promoting the 2m Pass Wide and Slow message.
The MoT advice to the Minister of Transport on a 1 – 1.5m passing distance is simply based on efficiencies in public messaging. And that is not informed decision making if we are prioritising road user safety. Anything less than 2m in passing a horse, especially as this country isn’t willing to talk about mandatory speed reduction in passing an animal, needs to be at the higher end. 1.5m or less is simply putting all three parties at risk – rider, animal and driver and their passengers. Horses are intelligent animals, but even the most ‘bomb proof’ well trained horse can spin/bolt/kickout if it is scared or spooked. It is for this reason, 2m is an appropriate and internationally recommended passing distance for equines on the road.
The equestrian community has waited DECADES to be included in improved road safety messaging. With 44 lives lost since 2000 – 2022 aged between 10-years and 79-years (Health NZ sourced statistics) and anecdotal evidence of near misses, injury and permanent life altering incidents – we must get this right.
Please advocate for a 2-metre passing distance for horses on the road, because it's safer for everyone if we are truly committed to reducing trauma and near misses.
Thank you
