Confession? Does anyone NOT wear hiviz?

Kaimar said:
Frankly, the onus is on drivers to be aware of their surroundings and drive safely and considerately, instead of speeding, faffing about on their phone, chatting to passengers, or other homicidally stupid stuff. No amount of hi-viz will help against any of that. Bear in mind that if a vulnerable person (EG - young child; person with dementia) were to wander off from those caring for them, they are very unlikely to spontaneously burst into hi-viz. Nor are cattle, sheep, or deer, and they're all common enough encounters. If you can't spot a dog walking beside its owner then you shouldn't be driving - and before anyone starts whining about it being dark, that's why you have headlights.
Click to expand...

I don't entirely agree with this.

In the summer i was driving down a country lane. Well within the speed limit and without distraction. The light was coming through the trees in patches and i couldn't see the 16hh bay horse and rider (in dark clothes) until I was nearly on top of them. It was quite surreal.

Since then I have never been out without hi-viz, I'm just glad my wake up call didn't have any severe consequences! This is also relevant to those who only wear hi-viz on cloudy/wet/darker days - light can be just as bad.
 
Meredith said:
I always wear an air jacket which only comes in black when I ride and my horse doesn't like exercise sheets or anything loose and flapping so I add a yellow hat cover and some cycling armbands from Aldi.
Does anyone know of a REALLY lightweight jacket that isn't an anarak and has hi viz sleeves? All the light hi viz jackets I have seen have hi viz bodies and dark sleeves.
Click to expand...

What about something like this? A hi vis hoodie? They don't really flap per say, bit more fitted to your body than a tabard and will probably fit over an air jacket? You can get tshirts for summer too.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/1621...=1006605&device=c&campaignid=672517669&crdt=0

Or a bit pricier, but I wouldn't think it is bulky as it is for cycling?

http://www.londonbicycleworkshop.co...signal-waterproof-jacket-shocking-orange.aspx
 
I always wear hi-viz on an owners horse (and make sure the horse has some too) but plenty of the owners don't. At the end of the day lost of of cyclists/bikers/walkers/certainly all cars(!) aren't hi-viz-ed up so I tend not to judge horse owners for using the same roads at the same times as any other non-neon individual. Similarly I understand a lot of schools encourage kids to wear tabards when walking in a way a lot of parents don't.

Making hi-viz compulsory might sound appealing (if a bit nanny state) but really how many people would be happy if they had to wear hi-viz every time they walked down a country lane without pavements to their local shop/pub/whatever?

It is a hard question.
 
Camilla's Aunty Em said:
But how would the heli spot you if you were to fall?
Click to expand...

It's not just about the helicopter finding you if you fall, in some parts of the country it's also about them seeing when you're on board and therefore being able to avoid flying too close to you and spooking the horses. We get quite a few Chinooks around us and I've seen quite a few actively turning or rising to keep away from us when they've spotted hi-viz.

Crackerz said:
I'm shocked at anyone that could have the view that 'its the drivers responsibility'
Click to expand...

I know somebody who is of this opinion. Every time we have this conversation she says "if someone doesn't see me and hits me on the road it's their problem" In the eyes of the law, maybe but she doesn't get that she will be the one injured or worse or facing a huge vet bill or mourning a dead horse and thinking "if only."

The other day I was driving home from the yard, she had gone out about 10 minutes before I left so I knew roughly where she would be. We have a stretch of road where the canopy of the trees either side of the road have merged to form a tunnel. She was in there and I could barely see her. I pulled over quickly, took a photo and sent it to her, you can barely make her (in her lovely brown gear) and her chestnut horse out against the autumn leaves.

Her reaction when I showed her the photo? ....I must have had a filter on. :rolleyes:
 
Meredith said:
Sorry the one that fitted me only comes in black or navy and I can't wear a loose flappy hi viz waistcoat as horse objects.
Click to expand...

I wear a high viz zip up fleece, its really warm as well which helps this time of year when wearing my high viz bomber jacket is just a bit too much! I got mine from a work wear company rather than a horsey company.
 
Yes, the two ladies who hack out in our village, always two abreast, chatting, and always in dark clothing and both dark horses. Gah! it annoys me imensely
 
Meredith said:
I always wear an air jacket which only comes in black when I ride and my horse doesn't like exercise sheets or anything loose and flapping so I add a yellow hat cover and some cycling armbands from Aldi.
Does anyone know of a REALLY lightweight jacket that isn't an anarak and has hi viz sleeves? All the light hi viz jackets I have seen have hi viz bodies and dark sleeves.
Click to expand...

Meredith said:
Sorry the one that fitted me only comes in black or navy and I can't wear a loose flappy hi viz waistcoat as horse objects.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your suggestions to help me but I probably didn't explain this too well. Except when it is bitterly cold I get very hot wearing my air gilet and putting another jacket under it is just too much. Ideally I would like a thin jacket with hi viz waterproof sleeves but I don't expect that one exists!
 
Meredith said:
Thanks for your suggestions to help me but I probably didn't explain this too well. Except when it is bitterly cold I get very hot wearing my air gilet and putting another jacket under it is just too much. Ideally I would like a thin jacket with hi viz waterproof sleeves but I don't expect that one exists!
Click to expand...

If you've got an Aldi near you, they may still have a hi-viz sweatshirt from their equestrian specials left. I bought one and it's perfect for a cool summer /warm autumn day (for me) so may be ok for you in winter if you get too hot. Failing that, most sports shops will have thin hi-viz cycling jackets although I find they stick to your arms a bit if you wear short sleeves under it - I wear a thin long sleeved top under mine.
 
I only wear it if I am riding when its getting dark or if it is especially foggy. I use bicycle flashing lights as well.

However, we are out in the sticks, so only the odd car or tractor, and only have a very short amount of road to ride down before we get off road.
 
annagain said:
If you've got an Aldi near you, they may still have a hi-viz sweatshirt from their equestrian specials left. I bought one and it's perfect for a cool summer /warm autumn day (for me) so may be ok for you in winter if you get too hot. Failing that, most sports shops will have thin hi-viz cycling jackets although I find they stick to your arms a bit if you wear short sleeves under it - I wear a thin long sleeved top under mine.
Click to expand...

Thank you. I will look.
 
Always wear it. At least something on both me and horse, why not?! Takes less than 30 seconds to put in and could potentially save a life. Not sure where apperanace comes into at as I actually think it looks quite smart! Pic below from the other day to prove how important it can be -

8b5cc642735805a64c977c27e2a86e4c_zpsynifqvo7.jpg
 
Riding Schools, Livery Yards or Horse owners who employ anybody (pay or reward) to ride their horse must ensure that they wear Hi-Viz to EN471:2003 for occupational use when riding horses out of the premises.

When goods vehicles or horseboxes are being directed on the yard then all staff and other persons must wear Hi-Viz to EN471:2003.

All commercial transporters must wear and have sufficient spare Hi-Viz to EN471:2003 on board for use in the event of a break down or directing the vehicle.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top