Horse Riders On Public Roads?

[Vulcan74]

Good Afternoon

Yes before anyone chimes in this an aviation website!!, this is the general chat forum and I'm discussing about horse riders on the main roads. I know what the law says about horse riders using the main roads, but having seen countless times traffic driving to fast next to the horse riders and nearly getting killed I think they should be banned full stop. Any ideas anyone?

[Nighthawke]

Punish horse riders for the bad behaviour of motor vehicle drivers? What next, cyclists? Pedestrians?

I'm not a horse rider but I do cycle and I do walk a fair bit. However I assess the risks and choose with care and thought which roads I do or do not use. When I am driving I give each road user the space they deserve, many others do not. Instead of waiting to take a clear path around the rider they cut them up. It doesn't take much - just a moment's thought.

I am not having a go but your suggestion is typical of today's society where we choose not to tackle the problem but just take the easy way out.

Sadly we are, in general, getting more and more selfish and I'm probably as guilty as everyone else in certain areas of life.

[Vulcan74]

Not taking the easy way out and not always possible to avoid roads where you think the horse riders might be. But when you are on a busy A road with heavy traffic including HGV lorries and see like I have, horse riders on these roads then you have ask the question what are they doing here.

I too I'm a cyclist and had many misses with traffic, but when you have a live & unpredictable animal anything could happen !!

[Nighthawke]

Maybe not a full ban but certain roads are definitely unsuitable for horses, as well as cyclists, even though fully legal for them to be on those roads. There are irresponsible riders as well as motorists. Common sense is often lacking!

[jakdaw]

lol another contentious point for you to get people fired up, the law is there and is simple. Should they be banned from the roads, no, people should learn to drive correctly and courteously. Obviously banning pedestrians, cyclists, horses, wild animals, all the other drivers, weather and bends, would all make the roads safer. But if you were really bothered about road safety, would you have started another thread about getting away with using your mobile behind the wheel? More accidents are caused by drink driving, drug driving, mobile phone use and not wearing a seatbelt all of which are legislated against and yet still a problem, lets get these sorted first and then worry about a far less problematic equine issue.

[Mike]

lol another contentious point for you to get people fired up, the law is there and is simple. Should they be banned from the roads, no, people should learn to drive correctly and courteously. Obviously banning pedestrians, cyclists, horses, wild animals, all the other drivers, weather and bends, would all make the roads safer. But if you were really bothered about road safety, would you have started another thread about getting away with using your mobile behind the wheel? More accidents are caused by drink driving, drug driving, mobile phone use and not wearing a seatbelt all of which are legislated against and yet still a problem, lets get these sorted first and then worry about a far less problematic equine issue.

That's a perfect reply, jakdaw.

He'll be asking if badgers should be banned from crossing public roads next.

[Vulcan74]

Mike

Well of course why didn't I think of that!!!

[Vulcan74]

Maybe I should start a thread about not talking about anything much in case it offends the more sensitive of us!!!

[jakdaw]

Whose the sensitive one, if you feel like being on your phone while driving you don't need our permission and you can drive how you want, the beautiful thing about discussions is we can have different opinions if you see an alternative opinion as sensitive that truly is a you issue and not me. Just intrigued on next weekends discussion thread, should women drive maybe or should old people drive?!? I'm pretty sure the laws are there and fun though the discussion may be we are not changing much here, though following the rules of social media "I can just scroll by" but I am actually intrigued enough to follow and have joined in unlike the other 99% who wont be interested at all. So at least you have a fan here!!

As an aside im interested if you could start a thread "about not talking about anything much in case it offends the more sensitive of us" that would be a real challenge

[Nighthawke]

Jackdaw, I would like to add to your comment "... you can drive how you want..." - yes as long as it doesn't cause harm or offend anyone else. The trouble is people usually do!

Threadophobia?

[Mike]

Maybe I should start a thread about not talking about anything much in case it offends the more sensitive of us!!!

No, just ask the staff to change your username to 'Thrush' instead.

[Vulcan74]

Jackdaw

I think you misunderstood my point, no one is above the law & me included. But at the end of the day we are all hypocrites!! Maybe then you should contribute a worthwhile thread!!

[jakdaw]

When I have something important to discuss I will start a thread, until then just willing to enjoy the plane stuff and supply my opinion or knowledge when requested, no misunderstanding here just saying the laws and highway code are available on the same device you posted your threads on.

As to your comments on road safety the IAM are a great group to be a member of they specialise on road safety and the improvement there of your opinion and passion on this subject would be wholly welcomed and appreciated and you could make a difference to road craft and safety, an advanced driving test ( if not already taken) really gives an extra insight into road safety and is well worth the time and money and may help find answers to dealing with your issues from the last two weeks.

I don't see how im a hypocrite (if indeed that was aimed at me) I am passionate about road safety and have spent time and money improving my driving as I see driving as a privilege and not a right. I share the road and don't own it.

[jakdaw]

Vulcan 74

Now this blows my mind, off the back of your two discussions I got thinking about horse riding and mobile phone use. After some research, unbelievably the law allows horse riders on the road to use a mobile whilst riding!! This is the new thing I learned today and is amazing!!

[reheat module]

Well, the wonderful wife of someone I knew taught me a lot about etiquette of riders and horses, especially on the roads.
Since being 'educated' I drive slowly past them, giving a wide berth and on each occasion I receive a wave as a matter of understanding and gratitude. Bike riders on the other hand, once they ride in single file, have road insurance, pay road tax and have a cycle MOT, they remain a source of frustration and often get a close pass, with the windscreen wash operating...

[jakdaw]

Bike riders on the other hand ….. often get a close pass, with the windscreen wash operating...

So that was you!!!

[C24]

Here's a self test for you. Think back over your last road journey, then see how many codes you ignored.

? When should you indicate ?

http://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/uploads/ ... -12-04.pdf

[Thunder]

How about drunk riding, got to admit to my fair share of it in my younger days. Always regretted it in the morning though, funny thing is I didn’t even own a horse

[paddyboy]

[Northsky]

What you have to remember is a large horse weighs as much potentially as a mini. I used to ride along lanes with high hedges,you could hear cars approaching fast and would hope they slowed down when nearing you. Even with a competent rider if a horse is spooked by something in the hedgerow it might suddenly move sideways a few feet.

In London and elsewhere everyone is in a hurry and there is too much of an attitude me first and push them out of the way . Especially the SUV drivers.

Take care on the roads . I cannot think of anything more futile than being injured or killed in a Road traffic accident.