sky1000
Well-Known Member
I can't see it, but I would like to, and then I would have some idea of what crime has been committed
I honestly don't see what the rest of you see. I see a driver crawling along behind a horse, who either doesn't realise how long their bonnet is, or doesn't understand that if they touch the horse it will probably freak. There's no real acceleration, no apparent attempt to drive into the horse to damage it. It's more likely that the horse damaged itself by its reaction than by the initial contact at that speed. If it had just scuttled forwards, as many would have done, there would be no video on YouTube. Driver was an idiot, for sure, but it would never pass the standard for a heavier charge, sorry.
Pass wide and slow? 2 metres between horse and car??? The horse and rider were doing everything they possibly could to trot on past the parked cars - the driver shouldn't have been anywhere near, regardless of length of bonnet. And it's ridiculous to think a horse wouldn't freak out if nudged/hit from behind by a car, I've never heard such nonsense.
I have to say I agree with ycbm I see no evidence that the driver of the car deliberately drove into the horse on the cctv.
The car simply drove into the horse you get not any intent from that and so driving with out due care and attention is certainly the charge IMO from what you see on the video.
And the driver left the scene of the accident and that's illegal if I where the poor rider I would be checking out that the police are taking exactly the action and putting the same energy into this that they would if a driver did the same to a cyclist to a pedestrian or a mum pushing a pram or ****** in a narrow place .
And I would certainly sue the driver for my 'losses ' I would include in this my loss of the enjoyment of the horse and his ongoing care .
If the driver doesn't know how long their bonnet is they should not be driving. Otherwise every time they are in a queue of traffic they will be using the car in front as brakes!That's because you are a horse owner and understand them. Others don't. If the horse had had hi viz on, then I would expect the driver to understand that it was a hazard. Otherwise, we horse owners tend to take it for granted far too much that other people understand how dangerous horses can be.
One of my horses has been nudged by a car. His tall was on lying on its bonnet. He just carried on slowly walking down the hill. The driver was old and hadn't got a clue. It is not at all ridiculous to suggest that many horses would not have reacted as that one did.
To me it isn't about how dangerous horses can be, if she had clipped a cyclist in the same manner they would have likely ended up under her front wheel and bicycles are inanimate objects.
It doesn't matter that the accident happened at a slow speed. It was dangerous driving. You can't just bump into other road users left right and centre as if you are driving a dodgem. You have to be in control of your car, be aware of hazards and know your stopping distances. Plus you shouldn't flee the scene of an accident.
Please can the owner report this accident on www.horseaccidents.org.uk
The owner of the horse should immeditely instruct their solicitors to take a 'Private Civil Action' against the driver/owner of the vehicle.
I honestly don't see what the rest of you see. I see a driver crawling along behind a horse, who either doesn't realise how long their bonnet is, or doesn't understand that if they touch the horse it will probably freak. There's no real acceleration, no apparent attempt to drive into the horse to damage it. It's more likely that the horse damaged itself by its reaction than by the initial contact at that speed. If it had just scuttled forwards, as many would have done, there would be no video on YouTube. Driver was an idiot, for sure, but it would never pass the standard for a heavier charge, sorry.
And here are the people who did it
https://www.facebook.com/paula.oconnor.779/posts/10212081861335230