Road Safety Campaign

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DIESELSUPERSTAR

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I have started picking up interest for a new campaign to take into schools and colleges to teach the younger generation the correct way to pass horses and livestock on the road.

May I first point out that I am not pin pointing them as a problem, its just a good starting point to catch them at the start of their driving careers.

I think some people in cars know exactly what they do is dangerous around animals, but the majority, in my opinion, genuinely have no idea how to react around horses or animals they come across whilst driving. It may be hard for some readers to believe that but imagine never even stroking a horse before, not everyone has been brought up around animals and therefore don't know how to react around them.

My idea is to set up a hard hitting campaign showing that drivers aren't just putting the horse and rider at risk, but also themselves. They need to be told the basics about passing a horse, wide, slow, no music etc so they know what to do in a normal situation, but also need to respect the rider and listen to instruction from them if they have a difficult horse.

Part of my campaign would also be to encourage drivers to report riders who aren't using the roads respectfully and safely, not wearing hi vis or not pulling in to let you pass. As after all, these riders are making the roads less safe for the rest of us.

Its all about mutual respect, teaching road users that riders have every right to be there and use the roads safely, but also teaching riders that they need to have respect for road users who shouldn't be held up on the roads to the extent that I know some are.

We have all met awful drivers who put everyone involved at risk, but have also met the very respectful ones who are a pleasure to pass. The idea of this campaign is to reduce the risk of accident. If just one 17yo listens to the campaign, it could be a life saved.

I have already contacted the bhs about this and have recieved a great response, I have also a large Facebook following. I know there are campaigns already but rarely are they seen or listened to. We need to push them into the schools and get them listened to!!

Please let me know thoughts and ideas . :-)
 
Short answer as Im off out but I think in principal its a great idea. Colleges & Universities also as older students are likely to be driving alot sooner.
I would also target the AA as they run the courses for people who have been caught speeding and want to avoid penalty points. My OH was caught doing 35mph in a 30 mph zone so attended a half day course. He said it was realy good and covered everything, really made you think - except there was no mention about horses, kids & cyclists yes but not horses.
I also think that any campaign should give a clear speed to overtake at. Some drivers think that to drop to 40mph from 60 is enough as they are slowing down. Something like the 'Think Bike' campaign where its 'Think Horse - Think 20'
 
I had a funny incident once.

I was indicating that I was about to turn right (I was riding, so I stuck my right arm out), and I turned to check that the car behind was hanging back, before I asked CM to turn. Well the car pulled out to overtake me, but stopped next to me (quiet road), wound the window down and asked me why I was holding my arm out. I pointed at the turn to the right and explained that horses don't have indicting lights, so horseriders indicate with their arms. The teenage driver had never thought of that and said so, he was quite embarrassed to have not realised what I was doing.

Anyway, maybe explaining arm signals would be helpful.
 
Faracat said:
I had a funny incident once.

I was indicating that I was about to turn right (I was riding, so I stuck my right arm out), and I turned to check that the car behind was hanging back, before I asked CM to turn. Well the car pulled out to overtake me, but stopped next to me (quiet road), wound the window down and asked me why I was holding my arm out. I pointed at the turn to the right and explained that horses don't have indicting lights, so horseriders indicate with their arms. The teenage driver had never thought of that and said so, he was quite embarrassed to have not realised what I was doing.

Anyway, maybe explaining arm signals would be helpful.
Click to expand...

LOL. Im sure some think the 'slow down' signal is 'Im giving my horse flying lessons' ;)
 
Like!

Great idea, I hope you get the support you need.

Even after 50 years I still can picture an awful accident that happened near where I lived on a Roundabout, involving a horse and a lorry, it was very distressing.
 
cambrica said:
I also think that any campaign should give a clear speed to overtake at. Some drivers think that to drop to 40mph from 60 is enough as they are slowing down. Something like the 'Think Bike' campaign where its 'Think Horse - Think 20'
Click to expand...

The problem with that is that is some situations 20mph is far too fast.
 
Sounds a good idea. It all helps.

What about also mentioning something about horse transport as well? I always seem to get people switching lanes at the last minute when I am slowing down for traffic lights and roundabouts and stealing all my braking space. I then have to brake harder than I would like with horses on. It really drives me mad, but I think people just don't realise.

What is your facebook page? Do you have a link?
 
Great idea!!
I've met a number of people who have never stroked a horse (including a woman who cycled past my field and was ecstatic that she got to stroke a pony for the first time!).
I've been thinking about doing something like this for a long time, but I just never knew where to start. I did get a great article in my local news letter though, with help from people on here ^^

Anyway - I think it's a great idea, let us know how it goes :D
 
There are so many different aspects to try to cover. It needs to be short and understandable. I think it will take a while to get right but please give me all the suggestions you can!

My friend sat her theory test and said she had one question which asked what you would do if you came across a farmer and his sheep in the road. She confidently answered, 'beep your horn' which to me is beyond ridiculous. This girl was smart but had no idea that sounding her horn would send the sheep in all sorts of directions!! She wasn't being horrible, she just had no idea what to do in that situation!!!

thanks for the support guys :-) x
 
So...if their signal lights stop working for some reason what do they do? I was taught all vehicle hand signals for my driving test!
 
Great idea.

I also like the reporting bad riders bit. Otherwise car drivers are always the baddies...but you see some total idiots out and about on horses. On their phones, riding two abreast and stopping traffic from passing, whereas if they pulled into single file the cars could pass etc.
 
A lot of non-horsey people don't understand why we ride on the roads and think we're being selfish. It's worth pointing out to them that not only do horses have a legal right to be on the road and are classed as vehicles therefore not allowed to use the pavement, but that "all those fields" beside the roads actually belong to somebody! Even if that "somebody" is just the local council. When people realise that all land in the UK is owned, most with no right of access for horse riders, they have a little less irritation at finding us on the road.
 
But realistically, how could you report a bad rider? If you see a bad driver you can note down their licence plate and it can be traced to the registered owner and address but other than proceed to follow a rider back to the stables/field, how would you report them?
 
Very good point elbie. Something which needs doing but its finding a way to do it!.

On a different note, one lady told me she put L plates on a young horses tail. Its actually a good idea to maybe have some sort of sign to put on a horses tail if they are a bit green and drivers should take extra care when passing. Most drivers just assume that if a horse is on a road then it must be absolutly bomb proof.
 
jinglejoys said:
So...if their signal lights stop working for some reason what do they do? I was taught all vehicle hand signals for my driving test!
Click to expand...

He was pretty young, but no L plates, so must have passed his test. I was surprised that he didn't understand hand signals too, but at least he asked (it was safe do do so).
 
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