Horses and Road Safety

The Shire delivers ongoing road safety initiatives to support our equine community and promote safe, respectful interactions between horses and other road users.

We want everyone—riders, drivers, cyclists and pedestrians—to feel confident and safe when travelling through our horse-friendly areas. Our campaigns focus on building awareness, encouraging courtesy on the roads and helping our community understand how to ride and drive safely around horses.

You can check out some of our recent campaigns and sharable resources below.

Sharing the road safely with horses

Horses can be unpredictable, and sudden movements or loud noises may startle them. By understanding how to travel safely around horses, we can reduce risks for riders, drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

For all road users

  • Slow down — drive a maximum of 25km/h when approaching a horse.
  • Pass wide and slow — leave at least 2 metres of space between your vehicle and the horse.
  • Watch the rider — they may indicate when it is safe to pass.
  • Accelerate smoothly — avoid sudden engine noise that may spook the horse.

For horse riders

  • Wear appropriate safety gear, including an approved helmet.
  • Communicate clearly with other road users using hand signals where appropriate.
  • Listen to your horse — avoid riding on the road if your horse is unsettled or nervous.

For motorbike riders

  • Slow right down well before you reach a horse.
  • Where safe to do so, turn off your engine and allow horses to pass calmly.

By respecting each other and following these simple guidelines, we can all enjoy safer roads and more confident journeys.

Together, we can all enjoy a smooth ride.

Road rules for horses and riders

Under the Road Traffic Code 2000, animals and animal-drawn vehicles, including horses, are generally treated as vehicles. This means many of the same rules that apply to cars and bicycles also apply to horse riders and carriage drivers.

Key road rules

  • Horse riders and carriage drivers must obey traffic signs such as Give Way, Stop and No Entry.
  • Traffic lights and road markings must be followed at all times.
  • Riders and drivers must give way to pedestrians where required.
  • It is illegal to ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol to the extent that you cannot control the animal properly.
  • It is illegal to ride or drive an animal recklessly.

Special conditions for horses

  • Horse riders may use footpaths and nature strips, provided they give way to pedestrians and unless otherwise signed.
  • Horses may be ridden on the shoulder of a road or to the left of a continuous edge line, in the same direction as traffic.
  • Horses may be ridden across roads but must give way to other traffic.
  • Horses must not be ridden or driven across a pedestrian or children’s crossing — the rider or driver must dismount and walk the horse across.
  • Riders must use hand signals when changing direction.
  • Horses must not be tethered to a moving vehicle or led by a person in a motor vehicle.
  • If you are leading a horse while walking, you are considered a pedestrian and must follow pedestrian laws.
  • If there is no path or nature strip available while leading a horse, walk facing oncoming traffic.

Our equine road safety campaigns

As an equine-focused Shire, we run regular campaigns to promote safe road use around horses. These campaigns combine education, community events and practical resources to help everyone understand how to share the road safely.

Our recent work has included:

  • Pass Wide and Slow — raising awareness of how to pass horses safely on the road and highlighting the importance of slowing down and giving horses space.
  • Pass Wide and Slow Awareness Ride, - brings riders and carriage drivers together to promote safe interactions between horses and other road users in our equine areas. The event is capped at 50 riders/carriage drivers to help ensure the safety of all participants, and insurance is required to take part.
  • Make Every Journey Safe — a broader campaign encouraging safe behaviour on shared paths and roads, including around horses, cyclists, pedestrians and dog walkers.

Media and resources

Our equine road safety messages are promoted across newspapers, websites, social media, radio and more. You may also see posters and signs across the Shire. Promotional materials can be downloaded below.

Videos

Posters

Social media graphics

Need more information?

For more information on horses in SJ, bridle trails and policies to assist the equine community, click here.

For questions about our campaigns, please contact communications@sjshire.wa.gov.au.