I've just made a police report

M

MissMincePie&Brandy

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 November 2009
Messages
2,254
Location
England
Visit site
I am lucky to be here, and be able to write this. Me and my boy were deliberately driven into this morning.

I was riding on a B road in the village at 10am (so, not during the rush hour), and I could see a van coming really fast towards me. I had my reflective yellow jacket on, so he could see me clearly and the sun wasn't obstructing his view of me.
As he approached the van came onto my side of the road to overtake parked vehicles, still doing well over twice the speed limit. I think he was doing about 60 or 65 mph. I put my hand up, to signal to him to please slow down, but he seemed to come towards even faster, and he then aggressively slammed his hand on his horn, and swerved towards me. It was all happening so fast. I was next to a hedge and couldn't go anywhere. My life flashed past, and he suddenly swerved out again, missing my horse’s shoulder by a few inches, all the time with one hand on the horn!

Thank god, but my horse did not flinch, or step out. He just stood still, like a saint. If my horse had spun round, we would both have been killed instantly without a doubt. Most horses would probably have spun, or spooked so it was only by freak chance this driver didn't kill us with his actions.

It was a royal blue, small van (smaller than a transit van), and the driver was white, quite fat and in his early 30s. I didn't get the registration. It happened in Chorleywood. So, if anyone is reading and from there please keep an eye out.

I've just made a full police report. They were very sympathetic and are going to see if the description matches anything on their records.
 
I read this with my heart in my mouth. What a horrible, dangerous man!! I really, really hope that the Police catch up with him and throw the book at him.
Poor you and well done ponio. I am glad that you are both ok, if shaken.
Let us know if anything comes of it, will you?
 
What an awful experience for you both, reading about these people makes me furious.... glad it wasn't a worse outcome, what a horse you have!
 
Thank goodness you are both okay and I hope he gets found.

It never ceases to amaze and disappoint me the people who think they are invincible behind the wheel of a vehicle and put other lives at risk. How disastrous it would have been if it had been a horse who was learning or edgier. Do some drivers have no self-preservation either? A horse hitting a windscreen can kill. Idiocy at its best. :(
 
How awful! You are right, your horse is a complete saint, what a star. I hope you are both ok, you must be feeling very shaken up. I really hope the police are able to trace this idiot, I wouldn't be surprised if he has history of reckless driving from the sound of it.
 
It just reminds me why I refuse to hack out on the roads (my mum hacks for me as I just cant stand the road users).

Thank goodness your horse just stood there.

x
 
What is wrong with people?! It's bad enough when it's an accident but for someone to aim at you!!! That driver is completely bonkers and dangerous with it - I hope the police can find him.

Your horse deserves extra carrots tonight! What a good boy!
 
Oh my god! That's so scary, bad enough to drive aggresively but to have his hand on the horn the whole time is just hidious. Your horse sounds like a total superstar. I'd need a large brandy and a sit down if I was you!!
 
Yes, I'm very, very shaken. My darling horse could tell I was a blubbering wreck on the way home after that, and he seemed to look after me. He is the bay TB in my sig. Some days he can be as sharp and nappy as you like, but luckily he was in a good frame of mind today. At least we are both OK and my precious boy wasn't affected.

I am adding this road to my list of no go areas. I've not ridden along the narrow lanes towards neighbouring villages and the other bridlepath networks for a couple of years, because drivers just go too fast and I've had a couple of near misses along them, but never anything intentional. This was different. I've never known anyone deliberately try to frighten a horse and rider before. I am now going to stick to the back residential streets. They seem to be safer.
 
poor you, so glad you're okay.
i had something similar happen years ago with a delivery van, and it really shook my girl up, so might be worth asking someone to drive slowly past your lad a few times in the yard or field a few times to make sure he's still got his confidence and realises this was a one-off... v lucky that he was so sensible. what a ****.
 
OH and I had an 'incident' this morning, but it was nothing compared to yours, just a gormless t**t who wouldn't slow down, and got out and started mouthing off after I did a very rude hand signal at him.

You horse is an absolute angel not to react at that. Well done him. Hope you are feeling a little calmer again now. What a nightmare.

Fiona
 
Just shows what idiots are behind a steering wheel in this day and age. No consideration to the safety of others. Let us hope that the police are able to identify the driver concerned and one day catch him and prosecute him. Drivers like this should not be on the road. Could I ask you to complete a BHS accident form?
Here is the link:
http://www.bhs.org.uk/Riding/Report_an_Incident.aspx
 
flipping heck, what an awful driver! I'm glad to hear your boy behaved like a saint and you were both unharmed by this, sending you a large brandy and your boy his favourite treats.

Would you mind letting us know of the outcome if you can?

Take care of yourselves!
 
It seems like incidents like this are happening more & more often. Or maybe I am just reading more. Each time I read one it terrifies me what people do.
I had something similar happen a year or so ago but on a big main road. Car full or drunken rude boys or thought it would be funny to come up real close, beep their horn & wheel spin away. Unfortunatley in drivers stupour he clipped horse behind. Thankfully I had a witness who got the reg number & the lads car was crushed.
Police do take it very seriously, or at least mine did. If they dont crush it they will put a note on system that if the car is reported doing anything silly, even down to playing loud music they can take it away immediatley & crush it.
Am so glad to hear you & your lad are ok. Although my horse was amazing at the time, he has affected his confidence on roads - & probably mine too - or vice versa.
Hope they catch the barsteward who thought he was funny. :mad:
 
Oh my god, that is awful! So glad you are OK and that your amazing horse didn't react, what a superstar! I'm appauled at this, i really hope that the person is caught and gets what is coming to him! Hope your nerves recover soon, and your boy is Ok later too xx
 
Misinterpreted said:
I am lucky to be here, and be able to write this. Me and my boy were deliberately driven into this morning.

I was riding on a B road in the village at 10am (so, not during the rush hour), and I could see a van coming really fast towards me. I had my reflective yellow jacket on, so he could see me clearly and the sun wasn't obstructing his view of me.
As he approached the van came onto my side of the road to overtake parked vehicles, still doing well over twice the speed limit. I think he was doing about 60 or 65 mph. I put my hand up, to signal to him to please slow down, but he seemed to come towards even faster, and he then aggressively slammed his hand on his horn, and swerved towards me. It was all happening so fast. I was next to a hedge and couldn't go anywhere. My life flashed past, and he suddenly swerved out again, missing my horse’s shoulder by a few inches, all the time with one hand on the horn!

Thank god, but my horse did not flinch, or step out. He just stood still, like a saint. If my horse had spun round, we would both have been killed instantly without a doubt. Most horses would probably have spun, or spooked so it was only by freak chance this driver didn't kill us with his actions.

It was a royal blue, small van (smaller than a transit van), and the driver was white, quite fat and in his early 30s. I didn't get the registration. It happened in Chorleywood. So, if anyone is reading and from there please keep an eye out.

I've just made a full police report. They were very sympathetic and are going to see if the description matches anything on their records.
Click to expand...


So very glad you are both in one piece. Suggest you add something extra to your hot choccy or coffee.


Did this incident take place near houses or shops as they may have some cctv cameras pointing in your direction or maybe you will be able to obtain the the reg. no. from this, but suggest you enquire very soon as any evidence could get taped over. Were there any witnesses?

Some women driver actually drove into me from behind and I actually ended up across her bonnet - she wasn't looking ahead! Thankfully I wasn't on a horse. I was a bit sore and very shakey.... was a nervous reck when I visited the bank to pay the company cheques in.
 
Jeez, what an awful experience for both you and your horse.
I'm so glad you both are ok (if not a little shaken)
I've had someone attemp to drive into me on the wrong side of the road, but I was in my car, so goodness only knows how you were feeling.
I suggest a very strong gin and tonic to settle your nerves.
 
So glad you and your saint of a horse are OK. I had a vaguely similar experience last year, riding my spooky Arab on a quiet back road near my home, narrow but with wide verges (thank God as it turned out). I could hear a vehicle coming fast towards me as I rode towards the brow of a hill, so I stopped about 50 yards short of the brow to give the driver time to react when he saw me (full hi-viz). He did react. He put his foot down and drove his white van right at us. My horse spun so fast he pulled a hind shoe, and we ended up on the far side of the verge, shaking - him with fear and me with rage! Of course the van neither slowed nor stopped. I haven't ridden on that road since.
 
doris2008 said:
If they dont crush it they will put a note on system that if the car is reported doing anything silly, even down to playing loud music they can take it away immediatley & crush it.
Click to expand...

I would rather these idots (OK maybe not the ones just playing loud music unless it was specifically to frighten horses/disturb people and persistantly do it) crushed the car themselves!

By crush I mean crash into a wall or similar, NOT ANOTHER PERSON unless it is another person who is also a dangerous idiot. Not wishing to inflict serious injury, just maybe give them a bit of a shock/scare to make them see the error of their ways. Added bonus would be if said idiot wasn't insured and the car was a write off :D (and the wall wasn't damaged!) or the insurance was only third party.

OP- glad you and horse are OK! Hope the idiot is caught by the police (or a wall :p)
 
Last edited:
Some years ago I witnessed an incident like this. I was driving slowly behind a horse, waiting to overtake, when a car coming the other way just literally drove into the horse. I could see it was going to happen for several horrific moments before it did - but he made no effort whatsoever to get back to his side of the road and the poor horse had nowhere to go. He broke a leg and I had to hold him whilst we waited for the vet and he was pts at the side of the road. I will never forget it.......

The police came of course - but my attention was on the horse and rider at the time, and it wasn't until later that I realised that I believe the two people in the car lied and said that the passenger was driving and not the actual driver. Whether he had been drinking or not, I don't know. Perhaps he didn't have a licence. Unfortunately it seems my word didn't count for anything because I was too 'emotionally involved' by then because I was so angry at the pointless loss of a nice horse.

Hope you both recover from the shock quicly - it would be a good idea to get someone to drive very slowly past you before you brave the roads again.
 
doris2008 said:
It seems like incidents like this are happening more & more often. Or maybe I am just reading more. Each time I read one it terrifies me what people do.
I had something similar happen a year or so ago but on a big main road. Car full or drunken rude boys or thought it would be funny to come up real close, beep their horn & wheel spin away. Unfortunatley in drivers stupour he clipped horse behind. Thankfully I had a witness who got the reg number & the lads car was crushed.
Police do take it very seriously, or at least mine did. If they dont crush it they will put a note on system that if the car is reported doing anything silly, even down to playing loud music they can take it away immediatley & crush it.
Am so glad to hear you & your lad are ok. Although my horse was amazing at the time, he has affected his confidence on roads - & probably mine too - or vice versa.
Hope they catch the barsteward who thought he was funny. :mad:
Click to expand...
Hopefully the police do it with the offenders inside!!!
 
My gosh - what a horrible incident and and what a terrible driver. I hope what goes around comes around and I hope your horse is no worse for what must have been a serious fright for the poor chap.
 
Last edited:
What a horrendous story, but what a wonderful horse you have. Thank God you still have him, and thank God you are all right too. As you say, it could have been a very different story.

I hope this despicable person is caught, I really do.
 
Gosh, this is scarey; I know that awful feeling when your life flashes in front of you and then you just wait for the thing to hit you, I do hope you don't get flashbacks. However, if you do, please don't be embarrassed to ask for help from a professional coz its a horrible thing.

My experience of being driven into from behind whilst out riding a few years ago (motorist "didn't see" us), is the the police couldn't give a s**t, unless a human being is injured.

I hope they do better in this situation; the next casualty could be a child.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top