Dairy flat ride for safer road use

Horse riders across the nation will take to the saddle on Sunday in a campaign to educate motorists about sharing the road.

The National Ride for Road Safety kicks off simultaneously at 10am in nine regions - Whangarei, Matakohe, Dairy Flat, Katikati, New Plymouth, Ka¯ piti, Rakaia, and North Canterbury.

Broadcasters Samantha Hayes and Alison Mau will take part in the Dairy Flat leg in support of fellow journalist Karen Rutherford.

Rutherford was knocked from her horse by a car travelling at 80kmh, just metres from her Dairy Flat home in August last year.

She suffered horrific injuries and her horse Curious George was killed.

The ride was scheduled for May, but a storm battering much of the country forced its postponement.

The Dairy Flat leg will be the nation’s biggest ride, starting at the racetrack on Landfill Access Rd then meandering up Richards Rd and into Waste Management’s forestry paths.

Mounted police officers will join pony club riders, recreational riders, MPs and walkers from across Auckland on the 6 - 7km journey to raise awareness about safely passing horses on roads.

‘‘We want to educate drivers that passing at 20kmh, and giving a horse two metres berth, is crucial for the safety of both motorist and rider.

‘‘It takes less than a minute out of your life to slow and pass safely - or you can take a life in less than a second if you don’t,’’ national coordinator Simone Frewin said.

Campaigners also want the rule written into law. Visit the Ride for Road Safety Facebook page for more.