Pass Wide and Slow is a group for horse and rider safety on the roads. Based on Facebook with over 50,000 members. Founded in 2015 by Debbie Smith, after a car drove to close to her horse and splashed water from a puddle on him. This then caused him to become scared of cars and could not get over this incident.

PWAS emerged as we need a change. With no specific laws governing the passing of horses on roads, drivers often get away with the consequences of their actions, even if this involves horses and riders being injured and killed on the roads. As the highway code is advisory and not law, drivers have not broken any rules.

In 2023 there were 3,383 road incidents involving horses, theses include bird scares, dogs and fireworks

66 horses have died and 86 have been injured 

3 people have died and 94 have been injured because of road incidents 

85% of incidents occurred because a vehicle passed by too closely or too quickly

(BHS statistics)

Horses are flight animals, which many people are unaware of, this highlights the need for safety for horses and riders, and the education to non equestrians and harsher laws.

Driven by dedication to make a tangible difference, PWAS operates as a dynamic social media community, with over 50,000 members on Facebook. We help provide support needed whilst riding on the roads.

We also collaborate with individuals and other organisations, for a greater understanding among non-equestrians about safe practices when encountering horses on the road.

At PWAS, we possess the voice that others lack, advocating tirelessly for the safety of horses and riders on the roads. Join us in our quest for safer travels and a brighter future for equestrians everywhere.

Our Jounery

Our journey gained momentum on February 23, 2016, as we, with the invaluable support of our local MP Derek Thomas down in Cornwall as he presented our petition to the Transport Minister on behalf of Debbie Smith. Which culminated in a parliamentary debate in June 2016, making our voices heard..

At the start of PWAS John Brindle, who created the Pass Wide & Slow educational videos, we now have parts used within the British Horse Society Dead Slow Campaign.

We have grown strength by strength over the years, with a good team on volunteers we hope the PWAS journey will continue