Bad drivers

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snurse

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There have been so many posts lately about bad/inconsiderate/dangerous drivers I think I am going to try to remember to take a pen and paper with me, to note reg. numbers if necessary. To be honest, I've been mostly lucky, and ride in country lanes and off-road, but it's clearly on the increase. Maybe if we make a point of involving the police, the nuisance value alone will make them take action.
 
The problem earlier (see my post below) was the fact I was on foot with a small child and pony, and was in the middle of nowhere. Faced with a car full of yobs I really didnt want a confrontation and to end up beaten to a pulp. Or worse....

Whilst it's sensible to take precautions and remember numberplates etc, and report bad drivers, riders also need to realise they ARE vunerable. I would urge riders (especially those out alone) to NOT antagonise or get into a tricky situation. Taking photos of someones car could make them pretty angry, so better to smile sweetly, try and remember the number until the driver has gone, tap it into your phone and save, then report when you get home. NOTHING is more important than yours or your horses safety. And there's nowt stranger than folk, especially those threatened with the prospect of the police on their doorstep or points on their licence.
 
The police dont care, i memorised a car registration and reported it to the police after a car decided to follow me and a friend, swear in towards up, try to hit our horses, and continously beep the horn.

The police officers exact words were "What do you want us to do about it?"
 
Well said Katy - so true, I was passed by a car of yobs who didn't slow down and were driving dangerously so i shouted at them to slow down (whilst horse dancing on spot)....they put their car into reverse and sped backwards towards me and horse, only stopped because another car came.
I was v scared and suddenly remembered I was alone in the middle of nowhere feeling v vulnerable.
 
[ QUOTE ]
The police dont care, i memorised a car registration and reported it to the police after a car decided to follow me and a friend, swear in towards up, try to hit our horses, and continously beep the horn.

The police officers exact words were "What do you want us to do about it?"

[/ QUOTE ]
Get off your backsides and do what you're paid for with my wages!

Anyway isn't that type of behavior attempted murder or at the very least intimmidation with a deadly weapon!
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[ QUOTE ]
The police officers exact words were "What do you want us to do about it?"

[/ QUOTE ]

I despair at officers' attitude sometimes, dismissing you like this with no explanation or understanding of why it's so difficult to prosecute in these situations. The problem is without any witnesses and often in the middle of nowhere, you are really up against the judicial system where the onus is on the crown to prove the offender's guilt, not for them to prove their innocence.

The trouble is if the Police dealt with every single near miss or incident of poor driving reported by the public, they'd never do anything else.

If it makes you feel any better, people like this tend to drive like idiots all the time, not just around horses. Sooner or later they do something stupid in front of an unmarked traffic car and wind up in court with points and a fine or worse. Yes we do catch them, more often than you'd think but the papers don't exactly advertise all the good jobs we do because it doesn't sell papers.

Sorry you feel hard done by.
 
I'm not easily scared, but the problem is hanging on to, and protecting the horse. Mine's pretty good with cars, but she would certainly see some of these incidents as a threat, and start playing up. If I was sure I could hold her, I'd get off and confront drivers on foot, but difficult to keep horse out of harm's way. I think very few of them would drive over a person, but they might drive at the horse. AS far as the police taking notice, don't know... They don't seem interested in very much really. If the offending car was local, it'd be easier - a few big farm lads, who thoroughly enjoy confrontation.... But if it's just passing through, I really don't know how to proceed if the police won't take notice. I think one has to commit a politically incorrect offence for the police to be aroused.
 
Yes, you may be right. I'd better modify what I said. Thinking about it, it's impossible to confront someone AND protect the horse, and I would put the horse first, honest! I'm just in a bad mood, I think. I can't bear all these idiots getting away with horrible behaviour, and part of me feels we (the rest of society) are letting them do it. But yes, with a horse and/or child in tow, there's not a lot of option.
 
I am afraid we all have to ride and drive on the defensive and avoid any confrontation.

However there is no harm in memorising a car registration number, a description of it and that of the driver and giving it to the police - but do ask them for a crime reference number.

Having said that only today a large van that saw us riding towards him slowed down and merrily had a chat with us and wished us a pleasant ride.

I always suggest that riders should take the BHS riding course and test, always wear Hi-Viz on horse and rider and avoid riding when there is low bright sunshine or the roads are wet. Also avoid riding out in the rush hour.
 
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