Road Safety

[_Katy_]

Hi!

I'm studying for my degree and doing a project about the equestrian industry. One area I'm looking at at the moment is road safety, and I was wondering if you'd mind answering a few questions to help me with my research.

Also if you have any comments about the subject please post away!

Any new products you've seen that you think are reaaly good, anything that can be improved, any thing you like really!

Thank you all very much!

 

[SummerStorm]

I don't use anything as I never ride on roads at all except about once a month where I literally only cross a quiet road which has traffic lights with a speacial crossing for horses anyway...

 

[_Katy_]

Pity there arn't more crossings for horses. Our local bridle way group has been trying to get one for ages - hasn't had much luck yet though

 

[samp]

i only use high viz gear when the weather is not great, the lighting is poor, raining or brilliant sunshine

 

[miamibear]

I go out twice a week riding on roads sometimes more.

This is what i wear (all flourescent)

Bomber jacker
Hat Cover
Martingale
Exercise sheet
Tail guard
Leg bands

Hope that helps

 

[OWLIE185]

May I make the point that it is important to wear Hi-Viz whatever the weather or light conditions.

I was pleased to see the results of this survey which showed that 50% of you ride out and 25% wear Hi Viz. This is very encouraginging.

 

[fairhill]

I ride on the roads 4-5 times a week, and occasionally lead.

In daylight I wear a tabard and my horse wears a reflective neckband.

In dark conditions we wear:
Flashing tabard
Leg (or arm light)
Neckband
Bridle reflective
Leg bands
exercise sheet

I've just got the flashing tabard as I have always used the see-u lights on my leg or arm, but wasn't seen by a couple of drivers so have gone for the brighter lights. It's fantastic.

 

[Marnie]

I always wear hi-viz, including:
tabard
hat cover
yellow half chaps
hi viz gloves

bridle accessories
martingale
boots on all 4 legs
tail guard
exercise sheet if cold
lights if early or late

 

[the watcher]

I always wear something Hi-vis, maybe only a Sam Brown belt in summer but a bright flashing waistcoat in winter. Luckily never have to lead on the road..I think that would be even more dangerous

 

[magic104]

Always ride out in HI-Viz. It has been proved to help even with sunshine which can blind drivers, as you will have been noticed from a greater distance. Also if you have an accident (if you ever ride out on your own) you will be easier to spot from a helicopter or even people searching on foot.

 

[pottamus]

I always hack on roads as that is all we have and always wear at least one item of hi viz...even in the blazing sun of the summer!

 

[filly190]

I feel the high vis gives you the valuable extra few seconds.

I am not sure, under a point of law if wearing them helps your case or not. A Solicitor friend of mine, doesnt ride out in high vis, she told me, that the warning wording on them would work against you. Now she specialises in equestrian law!!!

She states that "slow down, young horse etc etc" is picked up by the insurance company, who understand that to mean the horse is dodgey on the roads and should'nt be there.

Her advise was, yes ride in reflectives, but have no words on them, you are just making yourself more visable.

I understand this is one persons opinion and experience, her law firm is very large and so I accept she must know what she is talking about. But I would like to know a more indepth case study on this.

No one wants to be in a situation where it is classed as their fault (when they are not at fault) because of some loop hole in the law.

 

[TGM]

I always wear a HiViz hat band plus a HiViz tabard or jacket when I ride on the roads. I also wear a HiViz tabard or jacket when leading on the roads.

 

[_Katy_]

Thank you all for the great responses - keep 'em coming

Just another point I've been dissusing, and would be interested to get your reponses to, what would you think if it became a legal requirement to wear high vis clothing when riding on roads, or lights when dark - as it is with cyclists.

Would this be a good thing for road safty - or bit over the top? Do you like to choose based on current conditions?

 

[TGM]

[ QUOTE ]
A Solicitor friend of mine, doesnt ride out in high vis, she told me, that the warning wording on them would work against you.

[/ QUOTE ] But a lot of the HiViz gear doesn't have any wording on them at all - so that can't be a valid reason to ride without it

 

[TheresaW]

I don't actually ride along roads very often, but I cross a main road daily to gain access to where I ride. I wear a hi-vis tabard and hat band. My horse has hi-vis accessories on her bridle and wears leg band. I use a fluorescent rainsheet when the weather is bad.

 

[TGM]

I'd be quite interested to hear from the people who don't wear HiViz on the roads. What are their reasons? Never thought about it, lack of money to buy the gear, don't like to look uncool etc?

 

[TheresaW]

[ QUOTE ]
Thank you all for the great responses - keep 'em coming

Just another point I've been dissusing, and would be interested to get your reponses to, what would you think if it became a legal requirement to wear high vis clothing when riding on roads, or lights when dark - as it is with cyclists.

Would this be a good thing for road safty - or bit over the top? Do you like to choose based on current conditions?

[/ QUOTE ]

I think it would be a good idea. There are some people on our yard who don't use hi-vis gear for whatever reason, but I think everyone should.

 

[_April_]

[ QUOTE ]
Thank you all for the great responses - keep 'em coming

Just another point I've been dissusing, and would be interested to get your reponses to, what would you think if it became a legal requirement to wear high vis clothing when riding on roads, or lights when dark - as it is with cyclists.

Would this be a good thing for road safty - or bit over the top? Do you like to choose based on current conditions?

[/ QUOTE ]


I completely agree.
I now wear High Viz all year round, on roads or off.
There I was a time when I was young and foolish though and I didn't think it looked good, if it was mandatory then it would have made me wear it!

Interestingly enough there is an advert on the TV for something or other (think it is for access in the countryside?) and the rider in it has No High Viz gear on at all.

 

[mitchellk]

I don't always wear a tabard but always wear bright clothing, i.e. orange or pick coat. If weather poor or very dark day will wear something reflective as well and I have a pair of flourescent riding gloves which are good

 

[Thistle]

Always wear HI Viz, I have been hit twice, it hurts, both me and the horse.

Once I was on a bridleway and a motorbike hit the horse, the other I was leading my children, all wearing tabards/

I feel so strongly about I that I coordinate all the riding and road safety for our local PC. No horse can leave my yard on the road without Hi Viz. Horse out on loan has this condition attached to her too.

 

[_Katy_]

[ QUOTE ]

Interestingly enough there is an advert on the TV for something or other (think it is for access in the countryside?) and the rider in it has No High Viz gear on at all.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmm.. that is interesting. I'll look ito that!

and about the solicitor saying that having messages such as young horse could go against you is also very interesting. I'll look into that too - although i'm not too sure how far I'll get with that though. But a very intersting point never the less

 

[_April_]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

Interestingly enough there is an advert on the TV for something or other (think it is for access in the countryside?) and the rider in it has No High Viz gear on at all.

[/ QUOTE ]

I found the advert, it was only shown in Scotland! It is the one called 'TV Advert to promote the code with runner' and can be found here:

Scotland Outdoor Access Code

It stuck in my memory at the time because I thought she looked quite elergant lol, and I though I bet I look like a big florescent blob riding along! I would rather be like that than in an accident though.

 

[jemima]

I don't wear HiVis stuff when the weather is good and bright - and I would NEVER take my horse out in the dusk. I always wear HiVis stuff leading a young horse on the road - but it has no wording on.

I am fortunate to be able to pick times when the traffic is light and I guess I'm not in the habit because I started riding when HiVis stuff jsut wasn't around and after 25 year break only got back into it three years ago. You have all made me think about using it more often though.

I do have Hi Vis stuff on my carriage though!

 

[_Katy_]

oh thanks - i'll go have a look!

 

[Chex]

I don't really ride on the road, but go along a stretch of 100m or so to get to the hacking. I always wear a flourescent jacket and hatband, Chex wears exercise sheet, boots and bridle accessories. I use a hi-viz exercise sheet and jacket even for off road hacking, what with lowflying aircraft and all that sort of thing.

 

[TGM]

[ QUOTE ]
I don't wear HiVis stuff when the weather is good and bright

[/ QUOTE ] Sometimes bright weather is the worst for visibility - horses and riders can disappear into the deep shadows cast by hedges and trees!

 

[fizzer]

always wear tabard and hat band, you blend into the hedge etc if none at all, for those who don,t next time your driving and see a rider without hi viz gear you will be surprised even on a clear day how hidden into the background they are.

 

[RobinHood]

I have to lead my horses along a private road to bring them in / turn them out. If it is light then I wear a fluroescent tabard, and when it's dark I wear a reflective vest with flashing lights, people always say I look like a christmas tree. The dogs wear fluroescent & reflective collars with red flashing lights.

When I go hacking I always wear a tabard, hat band, brushing boots with fluorescent & reflective straps, and if it's cold then a fluroescent exercise sheet.

 

[riotgirl]

If I'm hacking out I have no choice but to go on the roads. I wear (summer and winter) a hi viz tabard thing and a hat band on myself and hi viz velcro straps around my girl's feet. Did have some straps on the reins but I got rid of them as I felt they made the reins too heavy.