Is it legal to use a mobile phone when riding on the roads?

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LeneHorse

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I know it is illegal to use a mobile when driving (unless hands-free) but how about when someone is riding on a public road. I mean just riding along having a conversation, not in an emergency situation.
Its something you see frequently but surely its the same as driving - you would be considered not totally in control of your vehicle/horse if you are using a phone.
Discuss!
 
Tut.....common sense prevails here surely, and how often is one doing upwards of 60mph when on a horse?
My elder son used to be able to somehow tuck his phone into the flaps of his hat, making it hands free ........
I was once on the phone.....horse whipped round 360 degrees when he came across a duck swimming towards him along a watery lane.....somehow I stayed aboard, and continued my conversation, which was actually a work related discussion, as compared to a jolly chat with a friend.......the chap I was talking to did not notice any difference until I emailed him the next day to tell him what had happened! I have done much work on ealry morning exercise rides - but on relatively quiet lanes......as I said a bit of common sense!
 
I very much doubt it is....unless your horse was creating and holding up traffic etc....It isnt like you are travelling at speed along the road and reaction time is altered from the use of a phone....which I would consider the issue of using a phone whilst driving....It is unlikely you would crash into a car or run someone over whilst riding and on the phone/texting.....thats my opinion anyway!
 
I was once riding along the road talking on the phone (a rare occurrence) and a police car passed me. The policeman in the passenger seat grinned at me as I frantically tried to put both hands back on the reins, so obviusly he didn't feel it was too serious.
 
I would hazzard a guess that in the unlikely event of coming across a police person out on the country lanes whilst on your phone, they may well want to give you a lecture, depending on their level of horse knowledge.

The only time i can think that it would be a problem would be if your horse was to cause an accident and it was proven that you are negligent by being on the phone and not having proper control.

As others have said common sense is needed.
 
I think they could have you for being on a road with undue care and attention if they wanted. My friend got a caution on a pedal bike once! It is pretty iresponsible really!
 
Hehe, yes with crisps and lager too and maybe a good old fashioned beat box tied round the horses neck, blaring out some rave tunes! Have it!:D
 
Rebelzmum said:
What about drink-riding? It's illegal to ride a pedal cycle whilst p!ssed, so what about a horse???
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Yes, it is illegal to be in charge of a horse whilst trunk as it is classed as a vehicle for that purpose - and I think its a rather old law as well. Like in black beauty, did the guy not get arrested for riding him home drunk?

It is not illegal to use a phone on a horse though as the law only relates to motorised vehicles.
 
There is no specific offence regarding using a mobile phone whilst riding.

A lot of the posts have been light hearted on the subject but I would think that if there was an accident it would possibly be considered as negligence if someone was talking on a mobile phone.

I addition to this you should also consider that the non horsey public think that horse owners are inconsiderate,in that a great number do not acknowledge drivers who slow down or stop for them, do not clean up after their animals (like dog owners have to do) and should be no different to motorists regarding the use of mobile phones.
 
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would not ride without one, on silent, in case of emergency. my horse is not bothered by ringtones its just that my horse can be a bit spooky, she just jumps in her skin and it would be my luck to drop phone..
 
It's not illegal to use a phone whilst riding, but it is to be drunk whilst riding on a public highway.

I wouldn't recommend using a phone whilst riding a 17.2hh though ;) The distance between the riders ear, and the ground is too great, and when it is dropped from this height the phone stands a very poor chance of survival, as i found out :o
 
Misinterpreted said:
I wouldn't recommend using a phone whilst riding a 17.2hh though ;) The distance between the riders ear, and the ground is too great, and when it is dropped from this height the phone stands a very poor chance of survival, as i found out :o
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Ditto this....dropped mine from the 18.3 we had. I remember contemplating whether to get off toget it, but then was stuck with the problem of getting back on him after.
Decided phone must be knackered anyway, so left it there and came back for it on the pony later that day. Was still there and shockingly still worked!
 
Sadly it's not illegal.

I think using a phone whilst riding should be illegal, they should be carried for emergencies only.

Using a phone whilst riding on the road means you do not have as much control over your horse as you usually would and you are not as aware of your surroundings, horses are unpredictable and there are lots of inconsiderate drivers out there, it wouldn't take much for a serious accident to occur.
 
How would you feel if I crashed into you and your horse in my car because I was on my phone and you where on your phone!

You are a road user, you should be in control of your vechicle (or horse).
 
ive gotta admitt i have been on the phone plenty of times whilst riding not on busy roads just quiet country lanes but only to tell my mum or dad i am ok or something silly haha.xxx
 
It is illegal to ride a horse whilst drunk
it is legal to ride a horse whilst using a hand held mobile.
 
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