I'm furious. What would you do?

[SnowPhony]

There were four of us out with horses today. Amongst us was me leading a youngster in hand and an 8 year old boy on a lead rein. We'd only just left the yard when we heard someone sounding their horn. Turned around and it was a landrover discoverey speeding up behind us. As she drove past she did it again and again, and sped up.

The speeding is one thing. Road users shouldn't do it but we've all encountered some morons with no road sense not think to slow down. But she purposely sped up. And to sound your horn as you pass horses is just unbelievable, especially when there are children there. Fortunately the two mares were being chilled and she didn't spook the youngsters. But had she scared them I dread to think what would have happened as we were also crossing over a flyover to a main road and someone could have ended up being thrown over.

I made a mental note of the registration number. If this was reported is this something the police would take seriously?

 

[classicalfan]

Report it anyway. I imagine driving without due care and attention might just fir the bill (excuse the pun). She then might think twice before being so infantile next time. Unfortunately it isn't against the law to be stupid, but it should be! If only I were King .......

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Good that you got the reg no; but unfortunately IME the police don't seem to take anything related to equestrianism seriously unless someone is actually injured.

But you could still report it anyway...........

Stupid woman; lucky nothing happened. But this happens time and again with other road users' attitude towards horse riders. I've had a friends little 9 y.o. chid on my boy and a cyclist came up behind us when we were out like a lunatic - again fortunate the horse was fine and didn't react. But its not just cyclists, this attitude is prevalent, and won't change unless the public is somehow educated about how they can politely and safety share the public highway with equestrians who HAVE to use it, we have no choice in the main but to be out on the roads.

Anyway, good thing everyone was OK with this incident.

 

[Zuzan]

Here is a link to a check list from the CPS.. of which several could be used re the above incident ..

http://www.cps.gov.uk/news/fact_sheets/dangerous_driving/

 

[fjordhorsefan]

What a moron!! Definitely report it, your lives were endangered by her deliberate actions to try to scare the horses. Also report it on the BHS reporting site too.

 

[chestnutmarelover]

Report anyway! Driver obviously thought you were inferior objects on the road & needs to learn horses have as much right to be there! Ive noticed round my way cars would rather pass closer to horses than hedges on narrow roads so they dont scratch their cars.....durrrrrrrrr they haven't met my stick!!!!

 

[rhino]

Definitely report. There was a fairly recent case on here with something similar; the police took it very seriously and last update was that they were prosecuting. It doesn't take a dead horse or injured rider for something to be done.

 

[BlairandAzria]

When investigating road signs and slow horse signs i was told by the council to try and get the registration number of drivers driving dangerously, and to report them to the police. I dont know how true this is, but she said the police will put a record of the complaint against the registration, but cant do more than that, however if in future that person gets caught driving without due care and attention they are more likely to issue a penalty notice rather than a warning (which they might get as a first time offender). So i would definitely report it, i would be so angry and it would make me feel better to do so!

 

[Foxhunter49]

Agreed to report it. There is not a lot they can do because she was probably not breaking any speed limit but they will give her a good talking to about consideration for other road users.

One thing I have done before now is to carry a handful of pebbles and when they drive like that throw the pebbles hard at the car. Usually the driver stops to cuss you out - which is fine by me, but they cannot prove you threw the pebbles as it could have been your horse spooking at their bad driving and the pebbles coming from one of their hooves.

I have also walloped a car with the handle of my dressage whip. Again I said I had the whip out trying to slow the driver and they were so close the handle hit the windscreen.

 

[ISHmad]

What an idiotic dangerous thing to do. Stupid cow could have caused a major accident. Definitely report this, she needs a visit from the boys in blue even if ultimately nothing comes of it. So irresponsible.

 

[meandmyself]

Yes, report her! Hopefully something will be done.

 

[Pedantic]

Stupid stupid idiot, report her and make a fuss, a little visit from plod in order I think.

 

[dafthoss]

and this is why I carry a schooling whip...


to school ignorant drivers
This post has reminded me I was going to email the local road riders group that I met the other week, in large numbers , to say thanks for the way they delt with us. LOTS of cyclists who all did their best to make sure the pony wasnt freaked more than possible and I was very gratful.

 

[dalidaydream]

Definitely report her. Even if the police do nothing now, if she is prosecuted at a later date for another motoring offence this will be taken into account.

 

[indie999]

Report it and also report it to your rural officers if you have any. You will be suprised sometimes how others may have complained about the same driver/vehicle etc

 

[Shantara]

I wish I had thought fast enough to get the number plate of a woman who did similar to us, in the same kind of car. Not only did she not break when she came whooshing around the corner, I had to take split-second action, yank poor Ned in the teeth so hard, I caused him to leap sidewards. I felt bad, but I'd rather have a horse with a bit of a sore mouth for a few days, than a dead horse with broken hind legs. Even with my extreme action, she was centimeters from clipping my knee.

I hope something is done against her. Crazy people like her shouldn't be near cars, let alone driving them!
Glad you're ok!

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Report it!
We reported something similar years ago and the driver was prosecuted for careless driving. Mind you the local police were very on the ball about horses on the road at that time as it was shortly after a police officer's wife had been knocked off her horse by 'joy-riders'. She was seriously injured and the horse had to be pts at the scene.

 

[flyingfeet]

Report it - this sounds like a dangerous driver who may put other people's lives in danger. If reported once by you, and then causes an accident it gives the police more proof that it wasn't an accident, but deliberate and malicious behaviour.

 

[Kenzo]

What an evil woman, yes get her reported at once, she could of caused an accident, next time a horse rider might not be so lucky, I'd be making a trip to your local police station to do it in person.

 

[Daytona]

Yes you should report and if police won't charge her I would be pushing for them to visit her abs give her a warning, play on the fact a young child could of been hurt or worse killed..!! I doubt they will care about your
youngster but the fact the 9 year old was there they have to stand up and take note. If you don't report it and next week openthe paper to see a rider has been killed by this idiot you will feel guilty , if you make a complaint it has to be noted so make sure you go in there saying you want to make a formal complaint about a dangerous driver..! Goodluck and I hope you don't encounter this idiot again ;-)

 

[Dovorian]

Is there anywhere riders could pot reg nos of these drivers?

 

[PeterNatt]

Visit your local police station and report it. Ask for an incident number as this will mean it is logged in to the system and the record of her cars registration number will be tagged on the central data base.
Also report it on www.horseaccidents.org.uk

 

[FionaM12]

Absolutely make a complaint to police, then come back and tell us how you got on!

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

yes they do take it seriously i have done it and an x friends boyfriend is a copper. when you give the registration they make a note of it next to the plate if to many black marks end up by one plate they go investigate and speek or write to the driver.

tell them the make of car

colour

and reg

also tell them where it happened and ta what time

also if you can wear an action cam to record any usefull infomation if something happens

report do so , what an idiot to do that , we had a landrover going past us close the white line was between its tyres i was waving my stick at it and said get over !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

here is a collection of prats that did it to me
please note first and second picture is the same car who reversed back at us then up to roundabout came back swearing turned and did it again these pic saw correct lisence plate and police went round to his house told him off also 2nd picture IS WHERE HE STOPED AND REVERSED ITS THE BMW

 

[SnowPhony]

Thanks guys, it wasn't my horse I was out with but I think the owners were planning to complain also. Would they treat each complaint as a seperate one or would it coun't as just the one complaint? I'll go down to the police station tomorrow during my lunch break. I'm still absoloutely raging. I've never experienced anything like it. Completely unprovoked and I'm just astounded at the mentality of it!

 

[Frumpoon]

Back in ye olden days, when I were a lass, I used to hack out with a hunting crop, lash and all. Then bang it on the roof/door of anyone who drove past too quick or close.

 

[Cuffey]

Please report to Police
If necessary quote-- at least 2 Highway Code rules were broken by the driver

Rule 214 (ADVICE FOR DRIVERS) OTHER ROAD USERS
Animals. When passing animals, drive slowly. Give them plenty of room and be ready to stop. Do not scare animals by sounding your horn, revving your engine or accelerating rapidly once you have passed them. Look out for animals being led, driven or ridden on the road and take extra care. Keep your speed down at bends and on narrow country roads…………….

Rule 215 (ADVICE FOR DRIVERS) Horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles. Be particularly careful of horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles especially when overtaking. Always pass wide and slowly. Horse riders are often children, so take extra care and remember riders may ride in double file when escorting a young or inexperienced horse or rider. Look out for horse riders’ and horse drivers’ signals and heed a request to slow down or stop. Take great care and treat all horses as a potential hazard; they can be unpredictable, despite the efforts of their rider/driver

 

[Dancing Queen]

TBH - I understand your frustration but the Police arent going to be bothered, what can they exactly do? I had something similar and the Police were not interested in the slightest.

What does annoy me is Riders calling drivers on. If i were to have an accident with an oncoming car I would be at fault and I could not say the rider called me on.

As a driver you are responsible for deciding whether to make a manoeuvre or not - Riders PLEASE DO NOT CALL DRIVERS ON.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

TBH - I understand your frustration but the Police arent going to be bothered, what can they exactly do? I had something similar and the Police were not interested in the slightest.

.

HAVE TO DISAGREE WITH THIS. any COMPLAINT AND REPORT WILL GO AGAINTS THE DRIVERS LISENCE PLATE . Take it from me ( MARK) copper looked it up after i reported a car that did go to close and drove off he said yes there is a black mark againts the driver


i do how ever agree with this . dont beacon cars past unless you can see clearly its safe.

What does annoy me is Riders calling drivers on. If i were to have an accident with an oncoming car I would be at fault and I could not say the rider called me on.

As a driver you are responsible for deciding whether to make a manoeuvre or not - Riders PLEASE DO NOT CALL DRIVERS ON

 

[kerilli]

report it. please. the next rider she does that to, if you don't report it, might not be on such a well-behaved horse.
hopefully the police will take it seriously and give her a warning, and explain why what she did was potentially dangerous. perhaps she knows nothing about horses and thought she needed to let you know she was there by sounding the horn? seriously, let's not forget that many people know absolutely nothing about horses...