ROAD RAGE!!

Firewell

Firewell

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I am fuming!!!!!!!!! I am absolutly sick to the back teeth with people who do not wear reflective gear and who do not even acknowledge curtious drivers!!

I am quite happy to say that around Thursley in Surrey seems to be particularly bad for this. There are lots of windy dark lanes where the trees form a canopy over the road. It is also extremely busy around this little village because city commuters use the route to avoid road works on the A3.

Numerous times now I have driven round the corner and at the last minute seen dark couloured horses and riders in brown jackets ambling along in the murkiness without a care in the world, even more annoying when ive passed them carefully they havent even aknowledged me, like I wasnt there.

There is one partricular lady who I have passed 3 times now on the way to the stables and despite slowing right down and giving her a wide berth, shes kept her stoney, miserable face looking straight ahead without even a slight nod or thank you. And by the way if this person is reading this, your horse is dark bay, you wear a brown jacket and I can hardly see you when im driving!!

Today I was driving back home from the stables and I passed two riders emerging from the most dangerous, dark S bend Ive ever seen. Luckily I am probably the slowest driver in the world so I managed to see them in time as again they were riding dark horses with dark clothing. They were on a brow of a hill so I kept a safe distance behind them untill I could see the road was clear, again I passed slowly round them and gave them a wave. Did they acknowledge me? Did they hell!! they just ignored me!

I make a massive effort to deck my horse and myself out in reflective, High Vis gear and I always say Thank you, even when its not deserved sometimes. The same commuters and locals use the lanes and all these riders are doing is p****** them off, so next time they wont bother slowing down and to be honest I wouldnt blame them because thats how im feeling right now.

So to those who think they are beyond life and social decency the best that can happen is that you are making a bad name for horse riders and the worst that can happen is YOU WILL END UP DEAD!! Everyone knows that alot of people speed round these dangerous lanes and the vital seconds that High Vis can buy you really counts.

Sorry this so long but im really, really cross, I hope people take more responsibility on the roads. Its too dangerous not to!!

(hopefully this post is aimed at the minority!)

Thank you
 
Why dont you stop and tell them what you think. I have done in the past as a quick nod cost nothing
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One of my pet hates too! I passed some riders a week or so ago - no hi-vis, dark clothing/horses etc. I still slowed down and they didn't even acknowledge me! I was pretty peed off tbh!

Like you, I always thank drivers, even the ones who don't deserve a thank you, just in case it encourages them to slow down for the next rider they pass. These people give the rest of us a bad name!
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I pointed out to a lady on a bay horse that she was difficult to see - I was really nice about it too - she told me to F**K OFF!!!

We always have Hi Viz on, always, always, always - even on the sunniest day possible in England!!!
 
100% behind you firewell. Riders like that are a pain in the bum and drag all horse riders down with them.

If anyone has a firm that makes stickers, we could commission some big round slap-on ones that say "HOW'S MY RIDING" and gives the phone number of the nearest A&E Hospital. As the driver passes the brain dead pillock on the horse, he/she could lean out of the window and slap a sticker on the horse's backside. Or the rider's!
 
I sometimes find it difficult to raise a hand of thanks as I need both my hands on the reins, I will however try to make eye contact with the driver and give them a very exaggerated nod of the head or mouth "thank you" at them.
 
Lol Box of frogs
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!

I thought of stopping today and speaking my mind but I was worried about the stream of abuse that probably would ensued! To do it on here felt much safer lol!
 
This is a pretty poor show and is frustrating at best.

How about's having a quick chat with the local police explaining that you tried to highlight the lack of visible clothing and are concerned about her, her horses and other road users safety.

It may not make the slightest difference - but at least you could rest soundly knowing that you did all you could to prevent any tragedy.
 
I know its not always possible to raise a hand but I would have been happy with just a smile, I was so slow I could see the expression on their faces and a smile and a nod would have made me so happy!

My OH has just told me im overreacting, but I know how grateful I feel when someone slows down properly for me, I could almost get off my horse and kiss them for it, it makes me feel safe. These riders obviously couldnt care less about being safe.

Ok rant over now
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I feel the same about this. I have one livery at home and have lost count of the amount of times she 'forgets' to put Hi Viz on then comes back swearing about tractor drivers not slowing down in time....HELLO>> THEY CAN'T SEE YOU!!

I have told her now that if she is riding from mine I expect her to wear Hi viz, it is respectful to other road users as well as vital for your own safety!
 
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I sometimes find it difficult to raise a hand of thanks

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think you are supposed to take either hand off the rein anyway. I think pretty much any driver is able to notice a head nod or a mothed thank you so you shouldn't have to.

I think what annoys me most about riders who don't wear reflective gear is the fact that I would be devastated if I hit a horse with my car, it would be my worst nightmare! And although the driver would never to be to blame in the circumstances you descibed above you still would feel the guilt.

Is there no way of knowing what yard they are from? Might be worth speaking to local YO and expressing concerns before someone or someone's horse gets hurt
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This is such a difficult one as I know so many people that refuse to wear Hi-Viz.

I suspect it is more a fashion thing than anything else. Fashion takes priority over the safety and welfare of their horses.
 
I <font color="red"> love </font> my hi-viz and people who don't use it when riding/cycling/walking/etc craze me because it's so unsafe, even more so at this time of the year when the light isn't so bright and the weather is crappy.
As said previously, it may be worthwhile seeing if a PCSO or some sort of liason officer can visit local yards to explain the after effects of not wearing hi-viz and being a mardy road user.
 
i'm with the OP too,makes me mad when people don't acknowlege the driver who slows. I am just s ounfashionably uncool, in my Hi-Vz rig out and my waving, smiling, head nodding self
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I probably look like the village idiot, BUT I DON'T CARE I want to be able to ride for a very long time, on my current beautiful horse.
 
[ QUOTE ]
i'm with the OP too,makes me mad when people don't acknowlege the driver who slows. I am just s ounfashionably uncool, in my Hi-Vz rig out and my waving, smiling, head nodding self
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I probably look like the village idiot, BUT I DON'T CARE I want to be able to ride for a very long time, on my current beautiful horse.

[/ QUOTE ]

But everyone knows the real village idiot is the one who is too worried about looking cool to wear high viz!
I had a teenager ride my horse for me occasionally and she hated the fact that I wouldn't let her out of the yard without high viz. She said it made her look like a pratt. I pointed out she'd look more of a pratt under the wheels of a car!
 
Seems 90% of riders are like that around here
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(Todays news box above - horse hit by car)
 
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