Another RTA involving rider

[WishfulThinker]

I did feel sad reading this, as it is tragic. But part of that sympathy is removed by the sheer lack of common sense of the 'responsible' adult!

Unfortunately on what sounds like a stretch of country road they are going to be a danger. The other day at just 30mph on a very very well known bit of road I had to do an emergency stop because as I came round a corner to my left there was a walker with a dog and only a reflective band on. Ok they were on the correct side of the road, but they were round a bent and not visable until the last few yards and I was doing 50% under the speed limit and with full beams on.

I feel for the family of the deceased, but I also feel that I hope they do not ruin the life of the young driver by trying to make any sort of an example of him as even if he was doing 60mph he will not have broken any laws or been careless if he knew that road.

Such a tragic accident, the was avoidable. Only last week a young man was killed up here walking home in the dark. He was drinking and was not wearing reflective anything though. As a driver now, I will say that as brilliant as my head lights are, and they are legal etc, if someone is walking along the verge jsut far enough in they are not always clearly visable.

 

[Madam_max]

QR- How very sad although it's just not right to ride on roads in the pitch black even if you are in Hi-Viz

 

[Christmas_Kate]

QR

What a tradgedy

 

[Haniki]

What an awful accident - whoever was to blame.

 

[Fairynuff]

an absolute tragedy for all concerned. Does it really matter who was to blame? We are all capable of doing daft/dangerous things and usually we are lucky to get away with it. Cant we just say a prayer for all concerned and leave the judging for the authorities? A desperately sad outcome for all

.M.

 

[kibob]

Couldn't agree more, words of wisdom as usual Mairi

 

[rascal]

Thats horrific whichever way you look at it.
Those poor people and the pony. No they probably shouldnt have been out in the dark, we all know riding on the road is bad enough in the light. It does sound as though maybe the driver was at least partly to blame. I dont think kids that age should be behind a wheel anyway but thats another story and not an idea my teenage nephews would agree with.

 

[TGM]

[ QUOTE ]
an absolute tragedy for all concerned. Does it really matter who was to blame? We are all capable of doing daft/dangerous things and usually we are lucky to get away with it. Cant we just say a prayer for all concerned and leave the judging for the authorities? A desperately sad outcome for all

.M.

[/ QUOTE ] I can understand where you are coming from, Mairi, and it is indeed a terrible tragedy for all concerned. You ask whether it matters who is to blame? Personally, I think it does because then others can learn from this terrible happening and take steps to make sure something like this doesn't happen to them, whether they are riders OR drivers. I do feel, however, that we can't judge the real causes of the accident at this very early stage so I feel people should not say "what a terrible driver" or "what an irresponsible parent/pony owner" until we know the full facts.

However, to question and discuss how such a tragedy occurred is the first step towards ensuring such a thing doesn't happen again.

 

[Dotilas]

Born and bred in Wisbech, I know that road very well. Road accidents are common, with many cars going into the dykes in broad daylight. I have cycled along there once, and it was the scariest road to cycle along.

So tragic for everyone involved

x

 

[Shantor1]

As a motorist, no I don't see the difference. It is totally stupid, dangerous and irresponsible for any pedestrian, cyclist, horse rider or man in the moon for that matter to be on any road, without being well lit with high viz. These people and pony paid for it with their lives and as usual the motorist gets the blame. Motorists aren't superhuman with x ray eyes. Its a motorist responsibility to drive with a duty of care, but the number of times I've driven and almost collided with some stupid half wit on a bike or walking a dog with no visible lights is too often. And that is driving with due care and attention.

I'd like to see the law changed and make all road users legally responsible.

It is a very tragic incident that may've been avoided if they were visible.

 

[Nepenthe]

But as a rider, walker and car driver, I never drive faster than the distance I can see ahead, if you understand me. You could be dressed in black, on a black horse in the dark and I still wouldn't have carte blanche to mow you down.
Terrible for all concerned, though. Condolences.

 

[kerilli]

i agree with Shantor.
i also feel desperately sorry for the driver. the last thing he expected to find on that road in the total darkness was a pushchair and a pony.
i'm a careful driver, but i've nearly hit a cyclist (in pitch darkness, no lights) and a friend on a horse (brown horse, rider in dark clothes, on a bend against a hedge.) anyone on the roads has a duty to be as visible and as defensive as possible, imho.

 

[Puppy]

What a very tragic accident.

But a very foolish thing to have done.

I feel sorry for the driver....

 

[sueandtoto]

God, how awful for everyone involved

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

what a sad sad accident, my thoughts go out to all involved

 

[Patches]

[ QUOTE ]
But as a rider, walker and car driver, I never drive faster than the distance I can see ahead, if you understand me. You could be dressed in black, on a black horse in the dark and I still wouldn't have carte blanche to mow you down.
.

[/ QUOTE ]

Of course you wouldn't. The point is, could you be held "solely responsible" for hitting someone dressed head to toe in black, in the dark on an unlit road? I think the answer has to be a resounding no. In that situation there must be equal blame which would form the basis of the car drivers defence.

I don't know what happened, maybe the driver was speeding, but it would be hard to visualise on that type of road in the dark, whoever was driving. We often jump to conclusions based on the age of the driver. I've met a rider in the dark before. I was shocked and outraged that anyone would be so stupid to ride on our single track, unlit road in the dark. The ONLY reason I spotted them was because they were coming towards me and the horse's eyes reflected in my headlights.

For me, I won't hack out unless visibility is excellent. Enough horses are hit in broad daylight without increasing the risk to myself, my horse and other road users.

I feel terribly sad for the families involved in this accident, but I still don't understand why anyone made the decision to take a child and pony out in the dark.

 

[magic104]

I take it that this road is not lit even though the road sounds like it can be quiet busy. I am not going to pass judgement because we dont know the full circumstances. Very sad for all concerned.

 

[miller]

No the road is not lit

 

[wowser]

i will probably get shot down in flames!!

why on earth would you take any animal trick or treating!!
it just shows stupidity that some people will go to, to be one better than anyone else.
it's really tragic for all the people and pony involved, it's common sence to be as bright as posible on a dark night.

 

[tweek]

i travel this road daily as i my horses are stabled along here!! i do ride along it as i have no choice only way to get anywhere from where im situated my horse is very sensible and pretty much un fazed by anything i would never dream of riding along it in the dark and wouldnt put my horse at risk or myself!!!! i was also unfortunate to be one of the first on the scene of this accident!!!!!!! very sad!!!!!!! for everyone envolved!!!!!!!!

 

[Nickijem]

How awful for you tweek, I can't imagine how shocking it must have been for you. A tragic accident, thoughts go to all involved.

 

[wistavon]

sorry to say this but i think that loads of children ride ponies on roads in the dark. i was at a livery yard run by a bhs accredited instructor and she used to tell the kids that they had to excersice the ponies everyday on the roads around the yard in the dark. needless to say most of the parents had never had anything todo with horses and took her instructions as meaning it was safe.i was horrified and having met then one evenning (6pm) on a dark lane the instructor was made well aware of my thoughts (luckily most of the parent over heard) and the kids never rode after dark again.but she was a riding instructor and i hate to think how meny parents she had told that in the past. maybe 20-30 years ago you could have done it but not now.