Do some people take hi vis/road safety too far...?

Still a choice that most can't make though RTE, well unless they don't have a horse or in my case only ride around a 4 acre field which would get a bit tedious and essentially defeat the object of having him.
 
There is a distinct minority of riders that show no courtesy to other road users who take the precaution of slowing down or passing wide when passing them. This is a great shame as it undermines the safety of other horse riders that use roads etc.

I have got no problem with H-Viz however much is worn. I do not believe that the Hi-Viz needs any wording on it as it is the Hi-Viz that will be seen from a distance not the writing on it.

Unfortunately there are more cars on the road than ever before travelling at greater speeds so other road users have become even more vulnerable. Many riders have no direct access to off road riding at all which is a great shame so they are forced to ride on the roads.

I would ask all horse riders to show courtesy to other road users as this will be of benefit to us all.
 
ester said:
Still a choice that most can't make though RTE, well unless they don't have a horse or in my case only ride around a 4 acre field which would get a bit tedious and essentially defeat the object of having him.
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There is always a choice between riding on the road and not riding on the road, even if it is not to have a horse, no one would be forcing me to make that compromise and frankly I would rather not have a horse than ride down the A15 every morning because that is not my idea of fun. I would be looking to move to a yard which had off road hacking, for me personally that it very important.
 
YorksG said:
RTE, when hunting, do you not ride on roads?
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Yes, I haven't said I never go on them, I just avoid them wherever possible, my idea of a fun hack involves as little road as possible, and as I spend a lot of time exercising, I prefer to not be on them, same out hunting, obviously we try to keep off of the roads for everyone's benefit.
 
There'd be an awful lot of sad people about then if they decided not to have a horse because they only had access to on-road riding :(, I'd be pretty distraught to make that decision tbh. I am sure so many would love that luxury but am sure you appreciate it :). I don't think I've ever had, in the last 8 years of having my own, any occasion where I have felt anywhere close to having an accident, everyone is generally very considerate and even those that aren't certainly don't reach potential accident proportions (this includes riding on the A38 through our village, fast 2 track B roads and small single track country lanes) perhaps they are worse up your way ;)

fwiw we box off-road as much as possible for proper hacking but that has to be a weekend jaunt.

fwiw the worst for no high-vis round here are those that only hunt, they also then hack back at the end of a hunt day in dark coats which I think is nuts (and I have a hi vis in my pocket when I have been ;) )
 
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Capriole said:
What are you on about :confused:
Many people post videos online of their hacks, no-one that I can see (and I've gone back through the thread) has mentioned posting possible offences online... of course those recordings would go to the police. I don't understand the rollyeyes because other people want to post hack clips online, bit judgemental...
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I wasn't talking about that type of footage, I was talking about the footage of other road users that some people put up on particular sites that are there purposefully to moan about other road users. Generally when people are putting footage up of a hack because it is nice to watch they are showing video of cantering across fields, riding through the woods or looking out over a beautiful view, and I think that is a perfectly lovely thing to do. I have absolutely no problem with someone painting their horse from head to foot in fluorescent paint if that's what makes them feel visible and safe, and i think in certain areas wearing a hatcam is a very prudent thing to do, but the cctv vest will rub other road users up the wrong way.
 
i haven't read any of the replies for other opinion but my friend does wear a hatcam and uses it down a small section of road because the traffic on that road have no respect at all for horses or even children on ponies
iv'e hacked along it once because i was schooling her pony for her and there arena is across this road about 200yds up it , personally i would move as it was a terrifying experience i wouldn't want to repeat often
 
Cortez said:
For me, this post is an interesting snapshot of what life is like in the UK today. Where I live (rural Ireland) we have no CCTV anywhere and the thought of being constantly under surveillance is very disturbing. As is the idea that this is perfectly normal and somehow "OK".
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Well its not normal to me I find the thought of filming other people as a way of monitoring their behaviour totally unacceptable.
 
Goldenstar said:
Well its not normal to me I find the thought of filming other people as a way of monitoring their behaviour totally unacceptable.
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How about as a way of preventing yourself from being sued for damage to a vehicle that was not you or your horse's fault and making sure that you can recover your costs if some crazy driver/cycle/bike rider damages your horse by piling around a blind bend into you? Those are the two things which worry me on my narrow bendy roads and why I am planning on wearing a headcam. I have cctv to stop stuff being nicked from my yard. It just seems like the same thing to me?
 
cptrayes said:
How about as a way of preventing yourself from being sued for damage to a vehicle that was not you or your horse's fault and making sure that you can recover your costs if some crazy driver/cycle/bike rider damages your horse by piling around a blind bend into you? Those are the two things which worry me on my narrow bendy roads and why I am planning on wearing a headcam. I have cctv to stop stuff being nicked from my yard. It just seems like the same thing to me?
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Well it does not seem the same to me CCTV on your own property feels quite different to me than filming people lawfully going about their buisness in public.
If I get sued I have insurance I would argue my case and take what come.
However this might be the moment to admitt I carry a marker pen in my pocket 90% of the time and had my groom well trained I remember the front part of a number and she remembers the back half and I write it on my hand ASAP.
I reported a bus driver to the company once using this system.
 
Unfortunately hi-vis does not guarantee manners. Huge thumbs up for effort but thumbs down for attitude towards people who take the time and trouble to slow down or stop.

I am an avid thanker ... I said thanker .... to those who slow or stop, however, there has been an occasion when the horse I was riding was very much learning the ropes and for fear of unsettling or causing concentration to be lost, him and me, I have been unable to even raise a smile, nod or anything. At that time I hope the look on my face is enough. Thankfully this isn't a regular occurrence.
 
A bit of a depressing thread that reminds me why its mostly much more pleasurable to ride abroad. (but not the US of course) I do think we are going the way of the American - where there's a blame there's a claim - culture . Soon all riding schools will be closed due to health and safety, and riding will go the way of games of conkers, just far too dangerous for today's youth. No amount of high vis can guarantee that accidents will never happen, people need to face up to the fact that part of the thrill of riding is that it is inherently dangerous.
 
I often go out dressed as a vision in neon much to the amusement/secret dismay of the others on my yard. Yes I look a bit daft on my mostly white coloured cob with hi via boots, breastplate, often Parsons rump/sheet, plus ay least a tabard on me...

But unlike their large black and bay horses, I hope you would def see me coming, and see the horse if we got separated.

When I first started hacking hi vis just wasn't used by anyone round us, but I adapt mine according to near miss etc.

I carry a long bright whip for waving at cars that are too close, or when you hear something coming round a corner fast.

I keep seriously considering a hat cam due to a couple of near misses - could send police my gps track that shows where we had to leap sideways, and list of our hi vis, so taken much more seriously. Also some insurance companies refuse claims if you weren't wearing sufficient safety clothing.

Yes her attitude sucks, but at least she wasn't slopping along under dappled light with no hi vis... Could be worse! :)
 
Goldenstar said:
Well it does not seem the same to me CCTV on your own property feels quite different to me than filming people lawfully going about their buisness in public.
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Do you feel the same about Council CCTV, and about people taking photographs?

(I'm absolutely not saying you are wrong to feel the way you feel. You have every right to feel how you like about anything!)

Speaking personally, I would be VERY uneasy if the law was changed to prohibit personal filming and/or photograph-taking of other people in public places, especially if State institutions were allowed to continue doing so. Of course, we should also be sensitive to the privacy and feelings of other people.
 
fburton said:
Do you feel the same about Council CCTV, and about people taking photographs?

(I'm absolutely not saying you are wrong to feel the way you feel. You have every right to feel how you like about anything!)

Speaking personally, I would be VERY uneasy if the law was changed to prohibit personal filming and/or photograph-taking of other people in public places, especially if State institutions were allowed to continue doing so. Of course, we should also be sensitive to the privacy and feelings of other people.
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Tbh I don't like council CCTV but understand why they have gone down that route.
I don't like to be photographed full stop I hate it .
I never said having a hat cam should not be legal just I think riding down the road wearing a vest saying CCTV in operation is likely IMO to annoy a great many motorists and make riders even more hated by some motorists .
 
Simbacat said:
A bit of a depressing thread that reminds me why its mostly much more pleasurable to ride abroad. (but not the US of course) I do think we are going the way of the American - where there's a blame there's a claim - culture . Soon all riding schools will be closed due to health and safety, and riding will go the way of games of conkers, just far too dangerous for today's youth. No amount of high vis can guarantee that accidents will never happen, people need to face up to the fact that part of the thrill of riding is that it is inherently dangerous.
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Agreed.

I'm not sure that I agree that it's part of the thrill, but it is inherently dangerous and not sure why there is so much emphasis on the danger from people who enjoy riding.

Does it matter?
It is what it is.
 
dont blame her really.
having been hit by a car myself id be quite happy to have anything on making drivers go slow and give a wide berth.....
i avoid roads at all costs not least because my poor mare was so traumatized....
 
Goldenstar said:
Well it does not seem the same to me CCTV on your own property feels quite different to me than filming people lawfully going about their buisness in public.
If I get sued I have insurance I would argue my case and take what come.
However this might be the moment to admitt I carry a marker pen in my pocket 90% of the time and had my groom well trained I remember the front part of a number and she remembers the back half and I write it on my hand ASAP.
I reported a bus driver to the company once using this system.
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I wish I'd had a pen the other day when a red car sped past me with hardly a gap between me and him. Slightly aggrieved and guessing he may have gone to the village pub, I trotted up to have a polite word with him.
Pulled my trusty steed into the car park only to find it was full of shiny red cars all looking the same. Pfft. :o

Incidentally, in the UK, we have the most CCTV in the world. I read the other day that a person shopping in town is likely to be filmed 300 times during their visit.
That's a long time to be holding your stomach in...
 
horserider said:
Incidentally, in the UK, we have the most CCTV in the world. I read the other day that a person shopping in town is likely to be filmed 300 times during their visit.
That's a long time to be holding your stomach in...
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"If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear..." :D
 
Buds_mum said:
Ok general discussion. This is MY OPNION which I am entitled too.

I am a huge advocate of road safety and wearing hi vis. I always ride out in a hi vis vest or jacket, often a hat band too. Horse always wears front knee boots and has some hi vis covers I slap on over. He wears a hi vis exercise sheet on very dull/rainy days.

However as I stopped in a lay by today to let a rider on a lane amble slowly towards me to where it was safe to pass I had time to assess her attire.
Horse was wearing;
4 x hi vis boots
Breastplate (hi vis)
Full hi vis bridle and rein set
Hi vis Parsons rump thingy + tail guard

Rider was wearing;
Vest proclaiming 'CCTV IN OPERATION' :/
Hat band and attached to it an actual mini camera! (Helmet cam?) What on earth was she filming?
Hi vis chaps
And schooling whip with a piece of orange ribbion on the end

Her and her horse were very much a vision in neon.
she eventually reached us without so much of a acknowledgment of the fact I had patiently waited for her as she tootled up to us in a slow walk (i personally always go up a gear if drivers wait for me and neddy). Mrs CCTV did not even thank me, nothing.

My non horsey friend turned to me after and said 'well what a plonker'

I think this is exactly the impression she was probably wanting to avoid but she got even my back up. I mean CCTV in operation, its like big brother is watching you.

Does anyone think this is the wrong thing to wear on the road? for the non horsey road users does it give the impression that helmet cam users are expecting other road users to be guilty of something?

I suppose if her attitude had been nicer I wouldn't be writing this. But her over the top get up and CCTV just seemed ridiculous to me.
Opinions?
Do you use helmet cam and why?

Let's play nicely please :P
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Yes I wear a helmet cam:

reasons - for evidence in case a car hits my horses or another car or get to close. Too many cars drivers will deny how close they got to your horse if your horse spooked or kicked the car if it got to close.


Flipping the coin its also nice to review back your ride too

I have reported and photo'd many cars and handed it to police.

my horses wear
hi viz rug albeit summer mesh or winter rain one
hi viz martingale
hiviz 4 boots

I only wear knee boots in the winter when icy


hi viz tabard
hi viz bridle.
i also have flash horse leg bands too in low viz
I could not give a rats if i am dressed up like a beacon, as long as my horses are safe that is all i care about,
 
Lovely horses Leviathan. Not liking the bridles though, the fit isn't very good.

I agree with your sentiments about giving them the best chance but hi viz is only one element of giving them the best chance.

I'm concerned that some people (not you) get a false sense of security by wearing head to hoof neon colours. It doesn't make it wise to ride on certain roads, or with an over anxious rider or unpredictable horse or in poor visibility.
I've had to follow a rider in my car with hazard lights, because she thought her hi viz was visible at dusk. It wasn't.

The bottom line is- would I ride on this horse, on this road, at this time without hi viz. If the answer is no, then no amount of hi viz will prevent an accident.
 
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