Awful news

[Velcrobum]

I invested in these magnetic strobe lights a few years ago after I had a rear tyre blowout going to a BE event. Fortunately lorry has a double rear axle so I was able to limp off the motorway using the hard shoulder to get to a safe place so the tyre could be changed. I have them for my car as well plus spare batteries in both vehicles. Simple but effective.

 

[Bernster]

The Amazon algorithm must be going bonkers today, I’m checking out road safety stuff too. I agree - I’d rather be done for blocking the road with cones and stuff and hope it prevents an accident. I like this one as it seems a bit more sturdy, looks quite small but bright. I like this plus a couple of collapsible cones.

 

[Sussexbythesea]

Such an awful tragedy I can’t get it out of my mind. My deepest sympathies go to Nick and Sophie and all their families of grooms and carers.

I’ve only a small box but will be investing in some of the safety equipment that people gave linked to - thank you.

 

[Nicnac]

Anyone buying these, scroll down, the identical light appears to be sold much cheaper by other sellers.
.

I bought these ones yesterday https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B081D8HRQT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and just ordered 18 batteries as didn't realise they weren't included

 

[luckyoldme]

Any stationary vehicle in a live lane is always going to be In danger.
I do think that amber flashing lights automatically register as a stationary or very slow moving vehicle. I don't think it's necessarily the case that the vehicle isn't seen its more that it doesn't register as being stationary until it's too late to do anything about it.
I know myself that travelling up and down the motorways and dual carriage ways it's very rare to see something stopped in a live lane with no warning .

 

[meleeka]

To all those buying triangles, please be careful if you ever have to use them. I have visions of people being mowed down while placing them behind the vehicle.

 

[ycbm]

My OH has just gone downstairs to research permanent lights which he will fit to my van as soon as they arrive. Bless him.
.

Got these coming, permanent 12 volt lights, he assures me that there will be no situation where we break down when the 12v supply will fall. Orange flashing lights he will fit at the top of the van, hopefully right in the eyeline of drivers in big high cabs.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/333551470737?hash=item4da9378891:g:rcoAAOSwwp9d1O0H

 

[Bernster]

To all those buying triangles, please be careful if you ever have to use them. I have visions of people being mowed down while placing them behind the vehicle.

Lawks, yes it’s a good point! The lights on the back of the vehicle are good but I’m thinking I would want something placed further back, to try and get vehicles moving away earlier, but yes caution advised in placing them ?

 

[TPO]

Hi viz vests for people too ?

 

[Wishfilly]

I saw Sophie's post on facebook this morning. She sounded absolutely distraught and my heart goes out to her.

I'm at the other end of the country, but we have lots of similar A roads- they are terrifying. People go along them so fast, and don't give a thought to slow moving traffic or breakdowns. There's a stretch of road near my parents which is notorious for being so unsafe for exactly this reason.

I hope more can be done to look at A-roads and how they can be made safer.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

Hi viz vests for people too ?

Yes, I carry 1 hi vis full jacket per seat (3 seats in cab) plus 2 over.
The spares can be used as flags, can be waved on a stick, can be hung on a cone or tied to side of box/trailer. (Or used by friends on days when it turns wet or cold)

 

[OldNag]

Hi viz vests for people too ?

Absolutely. I always carry some underneath seats in the car (I tow, don't have a lorry).

Going to investigate these warning lights, they look good.

 

[quizzie]

Have a look at these….I have just ordered 2 from the road haulage association (best price) including the cone attachment, so one at a distance on a cone to warn, and another on the horse box …..anything to try to be seen.
https://www.briteangle.com/

 

[ycbm]

I'm at the other end of the country, but we have lots of similar A roads- they are terrifying. People go along them so fast, and don't give a thought to slow moving traffic or breakdowns. There's a stretch of road near my parents which is notorious for being so unsafe for exactly this reason.

If it wasn't too dark right now, I could take a photo from my lounge window of the current car that's upside down in a field by the side on the A537, in most years, the most dangerous road in the country. Too many people just drive like idiots.
.

 

[PapaverFollis]

I saw something once that said there's no such thing as a dangerous road, not in this country.... but there are a lot of dangerous drivers. I thought there was a lot of truth in that. Speed and inattention are what kills people on our roads. Not the roads themselves. Though I might make an exception for "smart" motorways.

 

[Sam_J]

Got these coming, permanent 12 volt lights, he assures me that there will be no situation where we break down when the 12v supply will fall. Orange flashing lights he will fit at the top of the van, hopefully right in the eyeline of drivers in big high cabs.

Your OH is a keeper!

 

[ycbm]

I saw something once that said there's no such thing as a dangerous road, not in this country.... but there are a lot of dangerous drivers. I thought there was a lot of truth in that. Speed and inattention are what kills people on our roads. Not the roads themselves. Though I might make an exception for "smart" motorways.

For anyone who's not seen it before.

Warning, headcam footage of a serious accident (no fatalities)

 

[Bob notacob]

For anyone who's not seen it before.

Warning, headcam footage of a serious accident (no fatalities)

What a tit.Bet his insurers were unimpressed

 

[ycbm]

What a tit.Bet his insurers were unimpressed

It was even more stupid than that. He posted this video and was found guilty of dangerous driving on the evidence he provided himself.
.

 

[PapaverFollis]

My driving instructor told me after I passed my test that she didn't care if I forgot everything she'd taught me but made me promise faithfully to never, ever, ever accelerate into a corner.

 

[ycbm]

Sorry for the diversion, to get back to the subject.

I saw Sophie's post on facebook this morning. She sounded absolutely distraught and my heart goes out to her.

I don't know how you get over losing three horses like that. How would you ever feel able to travel others again, even if you can "replace" them as competition horses? Her whole life and career have been thrown into turmoil on top of the absolute heartbreak of losing three healthy, young and loved horses at once. I hope she's getting all the help she needs, emotionally and practically.
.

 

[PapaverFollis]

Yes. Sorry. I was just musing on the concept of "dangerous roads" as the idea often obscures the real problem, which is dangerous driving. But it's not really for this thread.

I really hope Sophie is getting good quality support. I can't imagine what she must be going through.

 

[luckyoldme]

Sorry for the diversion, to get back to the subject.




I don't know how you get over losing three horses like that. How would you ever feel able to travel others again, even if you can "replace" them as competition horses? Her whole life and career have been thrown into turmoil on top of the absolute heartbreak of losing three healthy, young and loved horses at once. I hope she's getting all the help she needs, emotionally and practically.
.

It's one of those things that's just too hard to think about.
The whole story of how much it takes to get to that stage and the loss of horses that are loved.
So very sad.

 

[NinjaPony]

I keep coming back to this thread and not knowing what to say. I don’t know how you’d ever get over losing four horses like that. I hope everyone involved is getting the help and support they need.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I keep coming back to this thread and not knowing what to say. I don’t know how you’d ever get over losing four horses like that. I hope everyone involved is getting the help and support they need.

I can't imagine how you get over seeing the accident unfold, knowing what was going to be inevitable and not being able to do a single thing to stop it. And then there's the loss of the horses on top of that.

 

[Birker2020]

Of course you can always have a mechanical error with a lorry or indeed a horse box, someone we knew drove a lorry from the equestrian centre down the road round a slight bend and some belt broke in the engine and it affected the lorry's power steering and brakes (have no idea how or why) and she ended up veering off the road and going down a ditch, luckily all three horses on board were unhurt as they were herringbone with heads upwards.

My partner was injured (bone chip to leg) rescuing one of the horses and needed 6 weeks of work to recover.

Police arrived, breathalised her and off she went to the nick although she wasn't charged in the end.

 

[Bob notacob]

Sorry for the diversion, to get back to the subject.




I don't know how you get over losing three horses like that. How would you ever feel able to travel others again, even if you can "replace" them as competition horses? Her whole life and career have been thrown into turmoil on top of the absolute heartbreak of losing three healthy, young and loved horses at once. I hope she's getting all the help she needs, emotionally and practically.
.

You never get over it ,you just file it away in your "hurt locker" Nick is someone who I have for a long time considered a friend . Who else but Nick would remember a horsebox drivers name. I know him to be a caring and considerate person who has always had time for others. I am sure Sophie is the same. Well its time for all the people they have helped ,to be there for them .

 

[Big Bay Mare]

Nick’s breeding stallion, Party Trick, was one of the horses on board so this is an awful tragedy and a huge loss to the eventing breeding as well ?