Didn't slow down for horses on the road today, not sure if I was to blame though...

lula said:
you dont get it do you?
there's MORE chance of hitting it in the first place if you're speeding and the roads are wet. The faster you're going the less stopping distance you have to brake in an emergency.
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Actually i do get it. I just wasn't very elaborate in my post. The whole post needs to be taken as one, as the last sentence says well done to the op for realising her mistake ( driving too fast ). Yes driving faster means there's more chance of an RTA, but as a rider i believe ( yes,just my opinion ) that if there is a higher risk of being hit then i would NOT ride on the roads in poor weather. The post i refered to about the speed, hitting a horse at 50 or 40 is going to kill it no matter which speed (40 or 50 or slower) so arguing over speeding is a no brainer. You need to drive to the conditions.

I will know next time to elaborate so folk dont get the wrong end of the stick.
 
Thing is, setting out in bad weather I agree with but poor weather isnt always expected and can take people by surprise when they set out on a nice long ride in decent weather. Not a lot you can do but get home safely ( and try to avoid speeding drivers ;)).

If I was caught out by the weather I would try to avoid riding on the roads to get back, but the mentioned riders might not have had a choice.
 
While I'm the first to agree op should have been driving slower for conditions, the riders should take equal blame for not being visible. Not excusing the ops mistake, but its hardly just fault on one side only.
 
I'm sorry but what a load off .... This is.
So everybody CAN honestly say they don't speed?? Come on, neally everybody does at some point and most off the drivers I follow ( while speeding) aren't sticking within the limits either. If the riders were covered in hi viz they would of been seen from miles away and I hope this has made them think and not be so stupid next time.
We all know speeding is against the law but neally everybody speeds, wearing hi viz is just bloody common sence
 
A question to those who say that 'everybody speeds' so it is ok for me to break that law, which other laws do you choose to break on that basis? Where would you draw the line?
 
I'm a little OCD about not speeding actually! Just because of the dangers, it particularly annoys me when people get right up my backside when I stick to the limit, ie on a single lane road with a 40 limit... Not only are they speeding but now they have not got the correct braking distance to the car in front :( people just think that it won't happen to them!
 
nikicb said:
Sorry, you were doing (by your own admission) 50 and it was a 40 mph speed limit. Forget what the riders/horses were wearing - you were speeding. You were to blame and would have been responsible if an accident had happened.
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Had to chuckle - of course no one ever speeds - wish I was such an angel!!!
 
So yorksG you have never gone a few miles over the limit? Gone into a 30 and not slowed down enough in time or followed the car in front before you relise your actually doing a bit more than u should be? Don't believe anybody who says they haven't gone to fast at one point in their lives.
 
Wrongs all around, but don't beat yourself up about it, learn from it.

I don't think anyone is being completely honest if they say that they never go slightly over the speed limit on a road they know well and assume is perfectly suited to a few more mph.
 
Matt-m this is my feelings as well, both partys will learn hopefully but I'm not gona sit here and say I'm a saint and never been to fast cause I have. My local rd is a 60mph but dangerous so barely go above 45 but other rds which are safer are 40mph and my speed has to be watched at times.
 
I say take the speed out of it. Anyone who says they never speed is living in dream land. They should be wearing reasonable hi viz, I currently need to replace mine, the difference between my partners old one, and new one, is unbelievable. I drove past someone the other day at 60mph, because I didn't see them until I was on top of them. I would like to see mandatory hi viz for riders and cyclists.
 
Its a 50/50 thing OP, you should have taken more care given the weather conditions and so should the riders. Regardless what time of day or night they should have still been in hi viz. I have passed some people on a bright summers day and have only just seen them at the last second!

Following on from what some others have already said, yes its true it may not be illegal to ride without hi viz, but if you all take a look at your insurance policies (I know mine has this clause), if you do not wear the appropriate hi viz, both horse and rider, at any time of the day regardless of weather conditions and even if the driver is at fault you wont be covered and wont be able to claim.
 
I love how everyone defending the OP are also the ones freely admitting to driving over the speed limit.

As Nah says the speed limit is just that a LIMIT not a TARGET. And they are there for a reason! But obviously some people just know better than everyone else eh?
 
StrawberryFields1 said:
I love how everyone defending the OP are also the ones freely admitting to driving over the speed limit.

As Nah says the speed limit is just that a LIMIT not a TARGET. And they are there for a reason! But obviously some people just know better than everyone else eh?
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Please, don't make it sound as if we are a bunch of speed freaks who never drive within the limit. What was said, by several people was that basically its a bit rich for people to slate the OP as though she is the only person ever to speed. I freely admit that I have been known to exceed the limit. I know it's wrong, but sometimes I do it. So do others. The OP did it, she admitted it, she most likely will be more aware in future. I truly don't believe that the speed was the main issue here. Even at 40mph, she wouldn't have seen the horses, because they weren't wearing hi viz! If a cars lights aren't working the police can issue a ticket, because the car can neither see nor be seen. Surely any vehicle or animal on the road should have the same responsibility for their own and others safety?
 
i wouldn't for a second pretend i have never speeded (sped?!!) a few miles over the speed limit in good conditions but I do think doing 50 in a 40ml zone on a wet dark road you know horses use is taking a huge risk but maybe as one other poster said, im making a big hoo ha over nothing.

i used to be an appalling driver and have turned 2 cars on their backs the last 12 years ago. Neither time was i speeding but i was going too fast for the road conditions and i skidded on ice and broke my back when i rolled my car into a ditch and was very very lucky i didnt hurt anyone else or kill them. something id have had to live with for the rest of my life.
This is probably why im such a careful driver now as im aware of the awful accidents that can happen when you least expect it when you're going too fast for the road conditions.

ofcourse we all have to keep ourselves safe as riders on the roads and wear hi vis at all times. that the riders in this instance were wrong is of no doubt but by speeding you give yourself less time to see any hazards and that is the cause of most accidents if you look at the statistics.

anyway, enough said. :)
 
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This discussion should not be about speeding but about apropriate speed for the conditions and what could reasonably be expected on such a road.

The OP knew what could be expected on that road but chose to ignore that and the conditions for a personal reason - ie they were running late

As it turned out nothing was injured or broken so as long as the OP has learnt from that and never lets it happen again then lets move on

How many of us can say we never made a driving error and got away with it?

The really bad driver is the one who does not learn and does similar again
 
smokey said:
Even at 40mph, she wouldn't have seen the horses, because they weren't wearing hi viz! ?
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I thought they were wearing Hi-vis. Just not enough/good enough in the OPs opinion.


Although I have been riding with the horse in hi viz sheet and legbands, me in a hat band and fluorescent retro reflective tabard with flashing lights on, and a dog walker whos dog was making a nuisance of itself jumping up at my horse, tell me 'Sorry, I didnt see you there'. :D
 
smokey said:
Please, don't make it sound as if we are a bunch of speed freaks who never drive within the limit. What was said, by several people was that basically its a bit rich for people to slate the OP as though she is the only person ever to speed. I freely admit that I have been known to exceed the limit. I know it's wrong, but sometimes I do it. So do others. The OP did it, she admitted it, she most likely will be more aware in future. I truly don't believe that the speed was the main issue here. Even at 40mph, she wouldn't have seen the horses, because they weren't wearing hi viz! If a cars lights aren't working the police can issue a ticket, because the car can neither see nor be seen. Surely any vehicle or animal on the road should have the same responsibility for their own and others safety?
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If the visibility was that poor why would she even be going at 40? Just because thats the upper speed limit set for good conditions doesn't mean it's right! If it was me driving in poor visibility, wet road conditions and on a road I knew was frequented by horses I would be doing well under that, I'm sorry but that's just common sense.

Drivers are legally obligated to drive under the speed limit, horse riders are not legally obligated to wear hi-vis (much as I agree they should be). Seeing as the road has livery yards along it the driver should be especially aware that there may be horses not wearing hi vis - we can't go forcing people to wear it if they don't want to so you just have to adjust your attitude and driving accordingly.
 
There is a livery yard near here, it is a narrow twisty lane, but also used as a cut through between 2 main roads and an industrial estate. Although few lorries or large vehicles use it as it is so twisty, at 8.00 a.m. and 5.30 and later there can be quite a bit of traffic as the factory shifts end.

The local policeman visited the livery yard and told that YO that riders were to avoid the busy times and if he found anyone riding out at dusk without lots of high-viz (and preferably NOT riding in the lane at that time) he would book them - he could think of something to charge them with.

I am not sure what the legalities of this were, but he certainly achieved his aim of making the lane safer for horse and riders. He had been a rider in his youth.
 
StrawberryFields1 said:
If the visibility was that poor why would she even be going at 40? Just because thats the upper speed limit set for good conditions doesn't mean it's right! If it was me driving in poor visibility, wet road conditions and on a road I knew was frequented by horses I would be doing well under that, I'm sorry but that's just common sense.

Drivers are legally obligated to drive under the speed limit, horse riders are not legally obligated to wear hi-vis (much as I agree they should be). Seeing as the road has livery yards along it the driver should be especially aware that there may be horses not wearing hi vis - we can't go forcing people to wear it if they don't want to so you just have to adjust your attitude and driving accordingly.
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I agree with you, she freely admitted that she was driving too fast, as we all do at times. I think the comment from ROG was spot on, we have all done things that were ill judged, and lived to tell the tale, as I'm sure the OP has done. I think all involved should perhaps put this one down a a steep learning curve, mistakes are made in order that we learn from them. I wonder if the riders will also be more cautious in future?
 
What ever the rights or wrongs of the OP, following an experience I had the other day I'd just like to point out the importance of High viz what ever the weather.

I was driving down a country lane doing 40-50ish (speed limit of 60mph) the road bent to the right with a junction on the left on the apex bend. It was a bright sunny day, the sun was behind me.

I did not see the rider on the chestnut horse stood at the junction until the horse started to protest at having to stand still to wait for the car(me) - she had no high viz and blended perfectly in with the hedgerow/trees behind her. It was only the movement that caught my eye ......
 
All road users need to be as safe as possible and in the event of any incident all will be considered including what each did or did not do which was reasonably possible to do such as making them as visiable as possible to others

That could be dipped headlights for a car or hi-viz for a horse
 
rachaelstar said:
It was most likely commoners from brian charleys - not a brain cell between them.
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:confused: Can anyone explain this comment to me please? :confused:


I don't think any one of us can claim we've never exceeded the speed limit or driven too fast for the conditions. It's about realising we are in the wrong when we do and trying not to do it again IMO.

I generally to stick to the speed limit and consider conditions, and if I realise I've crept up, I slow down. I'm shocked at the people here who think it's fine and normal to knowingly drive 10mph over the limit. To me that's poor and irresponsible driving.

We all make mistakes though and hopefully the OP had a sharp lesson.

ROG said:
How many of us can say we never made a driving error and got away with it?

The really bad driver is the one who does not learn and does similar again
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ROG sums it up, as usual. :)
 
Whilst i agree that both OP and riders were at fault, how rude of the riders!!!! At least she stopped to apologise. It amazes me the lack of manners a lot of riders on the road seem to have nowadays. I always put my hand up to thank drivers - whether they have slowed down or not as i figure if they haven't slowed down they will either wonder why i'm thanking them and twig they should have slowed down so maybe will next time or they'll take it as a sarcastic 'thanks' for not slowing down, in which case realise they should have anyway! I drive past countless people near me who never give a courteous wave or nod to drivers who have slowed down for them, its one thing that really winds me up! I must say though, 9 times out of 10 these are the riders who also have no hi-viz on.

Re Hi-viz. I never really used to bother but always do now. I often ride out alone so try and be as safe as i can. I know dark horses are generally harder to see, but at the moment with all the fields ready to harvest Fabio blends right in with his golden coat! So it is necessary for any coloured horse.
 
*Spider* said:
For Gods sake. Chill the ****** out. 50 in a 40, what's the big hoo ha?
I drive at whatever speed I feel safe.
Regards to you winding down your window, bless you, I would have just muttered something to myself, and driven off singing along to the radio.
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why dont you take a
chillpill.gif

loser.gif
springs to mind.
The big hoo ha can be the difference between life and death. I pray to god you never end up killing someone because you take the law into your hands and do what the feck u like.

I do hope the fuzz are hiding round the corner and whap u with a ticket.

blueevil.gif



Glad your not near me , you would find slashed tyres.
 
Yes you were speeding but i defy anyone here to say they have never done that in the past when in a rush! when you spoke to them you should have also explained that they are not visible until its too late. I had this once and a man pulled up beside me to tell me that he really could not see my dark bay horse till right ontop of it and this was in the day. instead of taking offence i went out and bought a hi viz jacket, and reflector for my horse, front and rear. I have to ride on a busy road and unfortunately some drivers just dont give a **** anyway but i am doing all i can to make me and my best buddy safe. so dont beat yourself up about it.
 
rachaelstar said:
It was most likely commoners from brian charleys - not a brain cell between them.
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this is a bit unfair ( i am not on the yard in question) but funnily enough yesterday I was driving past Berkswell Windmill and saw a couple of riders with ample hi vis on out in the rain going down the road towards Brian's old yard.

OP - it sounds like you have made a misjudgement and have learnt from the experience and no one was hurt. Thimk many of us would benefit from joining ROG on his IAM courses.

PS Debbie Criddle and Sophie wellsare just being interviewed on C4 :D
 
rachaelstar said:
It was most likely commoners from brian charleys - not a brain cell between them.
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Renvers said:
this is a bit unfair ( i am not on the yard in question) but funnily enough yesterday I was driving past Berkswell Windmill and saw a couple of riders with ample hi vis on out in the rain going down the road towards Brian's old yard.
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I think it's more than unfair, it's vile. I have never heard of the yard in question, I just don't like that sort of attitude and think it's quite out of place here (and probably a reportable offence).

"Commoners?" :eek: It's not often one comes across quite such outragious snobbery.
 
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