Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing Government support for the Pass Wide and Slow campaign on the safety of horse riders, horses and motorists.

The Highway Code was updated on 29 January 2022 to include changes to improve safety for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders, including guidance on safe passing distances and speeds. We support the aims of the Pass Wide and Slow campaign to improve road safety for horse riders through the communication of safe passing distances and speed. We would like to thank all of our campaign partners who have helped us to raise awareness of the changes and improve road safety for all road users.

The changes to The Highway Code, including safe passing of horse riders, were communicated via the THINK! campaign in two phases: an awareness raising campaign in February and March 2022 and a behaviour change campaign in July and August 2022, to help embed the changes and encourage understanding and uptake of the new guidance.