I am very, VERY cross - coach driver rant!!!!

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Erehwemos

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I took my girlie out on the roads this morning. We're lucky in that the lanes are very quiet where we are, and most drivers we meet are very courteous.

I was almost back at the yard, walking along what is pretty much a single track road, when a massive coach came up behind us. I made a quick judgement that it wouldnt be safe to ride on the verge, as the rainfall we've had has meant that there isnt much verge left before it becomes ditch. So I signalled that I would turn left into the next gateway (about 25 metres ahead) and trotted on. The coach drove straight at us, slamming his brakes on when he was right up Ellie's backside, and then proceeded to beep his horn....!!!
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Obviously Ellie freaked, but luckily I was able to get her into the gateway (whilst he continued to beep) and as he drove past, he shook his head at us. I wish now I had made an incredibly rude sign at him, but I was focussing more on staying on top of Ellie at the time
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Luckily I was able to catch the name of his coach company, and I have left a very, very angry message on their answering machine
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I am just SO furious about this. My last horse died because of a chain of events that were sparked by us being forced into a ditch by an ignorant pig of a driver, and this today has really riled me. What do you think I should expect from the coach company? If they dont ring me back on Monday (I have specifically asked for a phone call) then should I try them again? Do I demand an apology in writing, or am I on a hiding to nothing? I am so furious!!!!

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I would be furious too, arrogant driver!!!
I would keep calling company, even if you don't get anything personally in retutn they may give the driver a ticking off!!
The touble is more and more people are using quiet country roads as rat runs and don't have any respect for horses and their riders.
 
If you have the name of the coach company and the time etc, then you could do what I did when a bus driver did the same to me, despite me asking him to slow down: ring the police, see if they have a horse liaison office (or similar - ours did) - even if not, report them for dangerous driving. When I did that, the police liaison officer paid a visit to the bus company, made them work out who was driving (time and direction of bus made it easy to work out) and gave them a warning and kept in on file, saying that repeated complaints would lead to them pressing charges.

Bus drivers were always most courteous after that - apparently I sparked an internal disciplinary too which went on his record.
 
phone & report as a near collision to the police. if its not noted this time & they hurt someone next time it will be classed as just an accident but if there is a trail of calls regarding the driver/company it gets chased up a lot more thoroughly (as i know from expereience).
if you havent had a reply by end of day monday, phone first thing tuesday & inform them you have reported the incident to the local police force.

glad you are both ok though.
 
Definatly demand an apology. Keep hassling the coach company, they will know which driver was in your area at the time. Also suggest the driver should go for some re training to learn how to deal with horse riders in that situation! I'm not sure the police would be interested, but you also possibly threaten the coach company with it, should they not act accordingly. If it is a local coach company could you go to your local newspaper to "warn" other horse riders about said coach???????? The coach company will not want any bad press!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
i had a similar problem a few years ago i wrote to the company and i got a very nice letter back saying that the bus driver denied it all (despite witnesses) but they had taken disciplinary action against him and it would go on his permanent record. i would keep on them until you get an answer, but i would leave it until tuesday to ring, just so the office staff get chance to do something about it.
 
I agree, take it further. I complained to a company doing roadworks after a workman started a drill just as I was riding past and I was thrown. They now include a bit about horses in their training. Some time later they were doing works on another lane and when they saw me coming, they turned everything off and practically stood in salute as I passed! I wrote another letter thanking them. You can make a difference, get on it!
 
Sorry to hear about this. I had a simular experience while riding on the road with a double decker bus. I rang and made a complaint, told them exactly what happened and how the driver should safely pass horses on the road. Since then I had a formal letter of apology and every time I meet the double decker bus, they stop and put their hazard lights on and wait for me to pass safely. Its worth complaining, like Charlimouse said they will not want bad press!
 
Thanks for the replies everyone - interesting (albeit disappointing
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) that so many people have had similar experiences
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Previous experience of our local police has made me a bit reluctant to ring them...I very much doubt they would show any interest at all, seeing as nothing actually happened
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I will give them until Tuesday then, and afterwards I will pester the hell out of them
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If you are a member of BHS (And if not why not!
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) Phone their legal helpline, to see what they recommend you can do, to threaten/press for a prossecution/legal action/whatever (I don't know the right terminology). I suspect you probably can't get far because you weren't hurt, but as a clutching at straws effort I would guess you could go after compensation for upset of the horse or dangerous driving?

In truth I don't know what you could do to them legally, if anything, but I do feel strongly that you should pursue them for anything you can. I would report the near miss and dangerous driving to the police, no matter how bad you feel they are, and ask for an incident number.

I was in a similar situation with my local feed merchant's van (The driver had horses himself!
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), and before theat with Cheshire Police when they passed too fast, blues and twos. Both times I got what I really wanted: a written apology and a promise to train their staff better as to how to drive with horses around.

Good luck.
 
I would definitely wait intil Tuesday and if you haven't heard anything then contact them again. I know it will be hard but try to remain absolutely calm and collected when speaking to them, if you get wound up and start ranting then they will probably just rant back and you won't get anywhere. In my experience starting off with a nice calm approach has a far greater effect - and you can always ramp it up a bit if you need to!

If you don't get anywhere by 'phone then write to them by recorded delivery. I don't know if such companies have a trade association or something like that that you could aproach as well?

Hope your horse hasn't been affected long term by the incident.

Good luck!
 
All you can do is contact the company and the police.

Unless of course you know anybody on the local paper who might do a generalised, naming no names piece as well?

Glad you are both ok xx
 
Even if you think the police are unlikely to do anything I'd still report it to them, & notify the BHS too (may be worth telling the police you're doing this?). The coach company should definately be chased if they don't get back to you - explain to them in very simple terms just how dangerous this was & what could have happened.
 
It's important that you do report it to the police, and to the BHS safety department. Too many incidents go unreported and no clear record of such things can therefore be kept. The coach company will probably be grateful that you have reported it to them as well.

In the past, I've actually rung firms to congratulate them on the courtesy shown by their drivers - that works too!
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It's important that you do report it to the police, and to the BHS safety department. Too many incidents go unreported and no clear record of such things can therefore be kept. The coach company will probably be grateful that you have reported it to them as well.

In the past, I've actually rung firms to congratulate them on the courtesy shown by their drivers - that works too!
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more importantly, the next poor person out hacking when that coach driver goes past may be saved from your experience. Phone your local police - badger the coach company - I am sure you will fins they take it very seriously these days, and let us know how you get on xx
 
Report him. If you didn't the next person that he may do this to may not have the ability to control or may have a young horse resulting in an accident.

Stupid driver!
 
Unless you get a full apology, mention that you will be in touch with the Traffic Commissioner at Bristol, one sure way to get them pooing thier pants!
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I would notify the police, and the BHS and fill in a form, I would expect a full, written apology from the driver and I would not let this rest.....
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I think you are doing the right thing, and your complaint should (hopefully) prevent this driver to do it again and you should insist that the company inform all their drivers the appropriate conduct when encountering a horse and rider on the road. if the company refuses to cooperate, take it to the police and make sure you make a lot of noise about it (contact the local newspaper) it will look so bad on their reputation,
some people haven't got a clue about how horses react, sometimes it is just ignorance but other time pure stupidity.
 
Go to your local police station and report the incident. Ask for an incident number so that you know it has been logged in to their system and keep a record of the incident number. As this was a coach they will treat this incident seriously as a coach driver is expected to be a professional and hold the appropriate license. This driver needs to be educated about horses so that he does not do this again.
 
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