It should be illegal to ride on a public road without wearing High-Viz Florencent

[marmalade76]

No, I suspect they wont.....:-D

I (personally) wouldnt dream of not riding with high viz, but I also wouldnt dream of being so arrogant as to dictate what others do or do not wear when riding perfectly legally on the roads.

Riders may not pay road tax (which incidentally isnt earmarked for roads anyway, hasnt been for a long time, and drivers pay it because of the wear and tear cars do that horses and cyclists dont to the road surface -so it is quite reasonable), but none of those roads would be there if the horses hadnt used them long before the cars - they are the reason the roads exist....!

I find that hunt riders tend to be in groups and TBH if you cant spot a combined 3 ton on horses and riders ahead of you, you shouldnt be allowed on the road anyway.

As a car driver it is my responsibility to spot slow moving road users, and to be able to stop within the distance I can see. end of.

If a car driver is driving fast enough to fatally injure a (strapped in) passenger by ploughing into a horse and rider then IMO the responsibility is down to that driver since they are neither driving at an appropriate speed nor being aware of any other road users.

Agree with this.

Also totally agree with this statement by OP:-

Too many people have an inflated sense of their own importance when they are on a horse on a public road.

 

[Goldenstar]

Quite, and I agree with you. H-viz or not, there are accidents involving horses on a regular basis. I'll tell you what, I've had a brilliant idea; Let's ban all horses from the public highway. That should sort the problem, and rest assured, following on from a new set of regs, which may or may not solve the problem, the eventual step will be taken whereby no horses are allowed on the public highway, at all. Would you be happy with that?

Alec.

I am apsolutly with you on this that's the logical point to follow the hi viz law though to .
Horses are at risk on the roads ban them , problem solved.
There's enough nutters passing damn fool laws in this country already

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

It's simples. The Under Secretary of State uses his or her powers via the Statutory Instrument in the Hunting Act 2004 to make it illegal for anybody participating in Trail or Drag hunting not to be High-Vized.

Far far too many people on horses on roads putting all and sundry at risk.

If one cannot ride off-road, then give up keeping all these horses?

A decent 'Bomber Jacket' style High-Viz from say Jewson's the builders merchants is only about £20.00+

Some people HAVE to use roads to get to access hacking, are you honestly saying that if you had to take a horse on the road then give up riding completely?

While you are at it, make it compulsory for everyone to HAVE to wear a properly fixed crash helmet conforming to current regulations - that will take even more off the road - probably over 50% of most riders out with hunts in the home counties at least!

Then, make all cyclists HAVE to wear hi-viz and properly fitted helmets.

And of course make ALL road users of any age; make them have to take out a 3rd party liability insurance- cyclists, horse riders......

How on earth would you get your dream policed?

I'm all for safely, but have never read quite such a bigoted diatribe on here in a long time

 

[Judgemental]

Some people HAVE to use roads to get to access hacking, are you honestly saying that if you had to take a horse on the road then give up riding completely? Probably the best option, far too many folk using the roads in any event

While you are at it, make it compulsory for everyone to HAVE to wear a properly fixed crash helmet conforming to current regulations - that will take even more off the road - probably over 50% of most riders out with hunts in the home counties at least! Yes excellent idea

Then, make all cyclists HAVE to wear hi-viz and properly fitted helmets. Naturally of course we won the Tour De France too

And of course make ALL road users of any age; make them have to take out a 3rd party liability insurance- cyclists, horse riders...... Exactly I am with you on that point 100%

How on earth would you get your dream policed? If there were less horses using the roads there would be less of a problem

I'm all for safely, but have never read quite such a bigoted diatribe on here in a long time

You aint seen nothing yet. Perhaps I should give up and join the league

 

[Countryman]

Horses were around long before cars....Perhaps casualty rates would go down if all car drivers had to wear properly fitting crash helmets!

 

[Starbucks]

Oh shut the fook up

 

[muckypony]

Just putting it out there...

On a dull day rider is wearing no fluorescent and riding on a windy country lane, a careful driver comes round the corner, does not see said horse and bumps in to the back of it, not fast, but enough to fatally damage a leg (which lets be honest isn't hard!)... One dead horse.

Am I missing the point, or is it slightly unfair on the horse that it was killed because the rider was not visible enough? And unfair with the driver to always have that on their conscience?

Just out of curiosity, why don't people wear a fluorescent when riding on the roads?

 

[Hunters]

I think that riders who may have travel on roads should have flashing hazard lights on them - Oh and someone walking in front waving a warning flag.

Maybe a car could following the rider with a flashing orange light?

Seriously people, get real, nothing wrong with wearing tabards etc, but don't go all 'do gooder' dictatorial - don't we have enough rules in our lives already - pah !!

 

[ester]

lol well I do own the former

 

[Chaptertwo]

What does one have to do to get it through to a large number of people who ride, that they are safer wearing a High-Viz Florescent coat etc?

Frankly I am of the view that it should be an offence not to be wearing easily seen kit on any public road.

For some bizarre reason there are a large number who think tweed jackets and black coats that blend in with their background is sensible!

Most of which is a result of idle arrogance, "oh I can't be bothered to make the effort for the benefit of other road users"

Similarly the horse should suitably tacked-up with High-Viz as part of their 'furniture'.

Totally agree!!

 

[Goldenstar]

You aint seen nothing yet. Perhaps I should give up and join the league

Oh I assumed you where one of their " deep plants " you know most hunts have someone who works uncover in hunts making them selves unpopular and making hanging around with hunting people just a little unpleasant.

 

[Pink_Lady]

I absolutely agree .... the wearing of hi-viz on public roads should be made compulsory - I wouldn't hack from the yard without it.

I know a few people who don't wear it - with the attitude that it will never happen to me ....

 

[RunToEarth]

Quite, and I agree with you. H-viz or not, there are accidents involving horses on a regular basis. I'll tell you what, I've had a brilliant idea; Let's ban all horses from the public highway. That should sort the problem, and rest assured, following on from a new set of regs, which may or may not solve the problem, the eventual step will be taken whereby no horses are allowed on the public highway, at all. Would you be happy with that?

Alec.

I think for anyone who genuinely want to be safe on the road, not riding horses on there is the only option to safeguard all parties. Roads are dangerous, with or without hi viz.

 

[ester]

clearly and we all take risks on a regular basis. We don't always have to reduce them to zero, life would be very boring and for myself I would rather take the risk and be able to own a horse as I would be otherwise a much less happy person. But if its possible to reduce them a bit, simply, why not?

 

[applecart14]

People are very silly for not wearing a flourescent. I have lost count the number of times I've slowed down and shouted through my window at drivers who I have only at the very last minute struggled to see them against bright sunlight whilst riding under a tree on a dark horse wearing dark clothes. I've had every excuse under the sun from "oh I lost my hi viz coat" to "I was schooling and couldn't be bothered to get off and get it" to "I'm only going up the road for five minutes". The most stupid excuse is "My horse looks stupid with it on". I have replied to the last one, that your horse would look a lot stupider lying hanging from a meat hook at the abbatoir but they still don't get my drift!It drives me totally potty. I tell people that it gives a driver an extra 3 seconds of thinking and braking time, with one second of braking time equating to 45 feet which is roughly more than 3/4 of the length of a short dressage dressage arena.

 

[Judgemental]

Oh I assumed you where one of their " deep plants " you know most hunts have someone who works uncover in hunts making them selves unpopular and making hanging around with hunting people just a little unpleasant.

Deep plant a sort of agent provocateur then? Therefore now I shall have to write in green ink. If you don't know or understand the significance, I suggest you read Spy Catcher.

 

[Goldenstar]

Deep plant a sort of agent provocateur then? Therefore now I shall have to write in green ink. If you don't know or understand the significance, I suggest you read Spy Catcher.

Ok will get onto that when I 've mucked out the house should not take more than three weeks.

 

[GinaGeo]

I wear Hi-Vis on the road and I will also be taking Hi-Vis out Hunting in my pockets with me now it's getting dark early enough and the probability of me being on the road at dusk in the event of an accident is increased. And on that front I do totally aree with the OP.

However, to suggest that horse's should be banned from our highways full stop would be horrendous for most of us - perhaps not to a lucky few though that have full access to off road hacking and I can only presume it must be such people suggesting it.

We have some bridlepaths here, but I have to go on roads to get to them - simple as that. I do my best to minimise risks, I wear Hi-Viz, I ride only in good visibility, I avoid peak times, I avoid busy roads, I thank all drivers and am polite and courteous at all times. But if I was totally trying to prevent risk I wouldn't have got on in the first place, in fact I wouldn't own a horse and I certainly wouldn't be trying to keep it fit for hunting... In fact I may as well not get out of bed to drive to work in the morning as there might be a risk increase...

I can tell you I'd love to have access to hundreds/thousands of acres of Off Road hacking, and if I did there's no way I'd be on the roads - fact is I don't and nor do the majority of horse riders...

 

[Judgemental]

Well that certainly awoke a few old hands on this forum.

 

[benson21]

'florencent' in the title...

Sadly I think our Masters would take a dim view of the mounted field following hounds covered in high viz,

and i am sure there are people who would have a 'dim view' when a member of the mounted field is hit by a car, becasue they couldnt be seen!!!! FGS, what is more important!!!

 

[fatpiggy]

and i am sure there are people who would have a 'dim view' when a member of the mounted field is hit by a car, becasue they couldnt be seen!!!! FGS, what is more important!!!

I narrowly avoided hitting a hunt member late one autumn afternoon when driving down some lanes. He was on a bay horse, dressed in ratcatcher and standing in the middle of the road at the time. The only part I saw was the horse's white blaze. Luckily I'm a very careful driver and I was tootling along steadily and watchfully. I was able to stop safely but the rider gave me the dirtiest of looks so I told him he should stick a lightweight fluoro tabard down his boot next time because he might not be so lucky in future. I got the finger.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

The law will never enforce Hi viz on horses / cyclist etc.

Everyone has their own views on this subject. Right wrong its personal choice.


MY view is : be seen be safe - a motto that has been around for years. I have loads of hi viz when I hack out, always will. It gives the motorist that much more warning that there is a potential hazard.

Some feel embarest to wear it, feel its unfashionable or stupid looking or whats the point etc etc.

A yard next to me don't wear much if any, We live on a sharp bend where cars go too fast (lost my kitty in Aug this year and another few years back). Tabards are not always enough.

Last week two riders walking towards me one with rug and tabard one just tabard. The tabard was not visible due to horses head, but the horse with a rug I saw (I was on horseback). So a driver lower down might not have seen the horse on the left.

I know Hi Viz wont save you all the time but it gives drivers that extra time to slow down. Its a warning which is why police lollypop ladies etc use it.

I love my horses to death and Would not send my horses out on the road without protection.

Its a sad subject because most of the deaths are the horses. I cannot understand why some riders put fashion before their horses safety.

The roads today are worst than when I was younger, people drive round these lanes like they are on motorways.

So when you next ride on the roads without Hi Viz thinking oh it wont happen to me or Hi Viz looks stupid. Think of the riders who in the past thought that and now they have lost their child or horse - wife or husband due to a car not seeing them.

You protect your horse in transit against knocks scrapes bumps but you won't protect him out on the roads!!! does not make sense to me

 

[Aleka81]

Living in rural Dorset I often come across 2 hunts in my area. I have never seen any hunt members sporting high vis. Some of the lanes I have found them on are tree covered and almost dark when it's daylight and the majority are single track or very narrow. I have headlights to turn on, a horse doesn't so I think high vis is essential if you will encounter roads at any point.

A small tabard folds up to the size of a mobile phone so hardly cumbersome to carry around. If the rider doesn't want to wear one then at least stick on a fluro tail bandage and breaststrap as something is better than nothing.

I know hunt members like to look smart and keep dress traditional but the roads are dangerous these days, lord knows as a motorcyclist I have often found myself being forced off the road by tractors down here and I do wear a high vis. The way I see it is if you are involved in an accident why give someone else the chance to say "I didn't see them". It's one of the most common causes/excuses given for accidents so don't give them a chance to use it against you.

As for riding 2 abreast I don't have a problem with it, I was stuck behind a rider leading a second pony the other day for over 20 minutes until she found a path to pull into. I'd sooner be 20 minutes late than send someone to hospital or an early grave.

Out of interest, is it legal to wear hats on the road with no harness/strap?

Yes it is legal to ride without a hat full stop when over 14! I rarely ride in anything apart from my Patey unless it is tipping it down at which point my HS1 is donned to save the velvet on my Patey....

 

[Suelin]

This is going to kill the fashion industry then. According to this thread the entire population will have to wear High Viz at all times!!!!

 

[Shysmum]

Have to admit that driving home from the yard in the evening, many a time I've been shocked to suddenly see a dark horse, with a rider in black, just back from the hunting. Not clever really. But it isn't "the done thing" to wear hi viz and be seen, is it.

 

[Judgemental]

According to this thread the entire population will have to wear High Viz at all times!!!!

When on a horse on a public road -yes. Why should that not be the case?

Far far too many people are simply absurdly self conscious about what they are wearing when mounted

 

[Suelin]

The view I have is this. If I walk my dog or grandchild down the road, the traffic has no problem with seeing me, they pull over and give me room on the side of the road. Half an hour later I might get on my white Arab who weighs about half a tonne and I am expected to believe that I am rendered invisible. Now why is that?

My husband pointed out that if lady riders decided to ride topless then every car in and van in creation would slow down to have a good look.. I'm not suggesting we do that but it certainly is worth thinking about. (I suppose there may be a market for high vis nipple caps!!)

I have no problem with it being a fashion statement or not I just question why horse riders are expected to and vilified if they don't.

We had a problem with low flying helicopters (military) over our yard and land. We were advised to wear High Vis....IN THE YARD!! We'll be required to wear it to bed next!!! Where does all this stop?

 

[Judgemental]

. We were advised to wear High Vis....IN THE YARD!! We'll be required to wear it to bed next!!! Where does all this stop?

Yes yes oh wow, now you are talking

With luminescent stripes perhaps?

 

[Kaylum]

Why on earth wouldn't you wear hi viz? Surely it's common sense and basic riding and road safety knowledge. Or is it a case of I don't care if I get hit by a car and cause an accident and kill my horse. Bored with the excuses can't wait until its law and with the latest cycling accidents that's what they are pressing for.

 

[benson21]

There are lots of valid reasons to wear hi vis, ie,e safety, be seen on the road, be seen by air ambulance if needed etc etc. but what are the valis reasons not to wear hi vis. I dont really call being fashion concious a valid reason, so what is?