RTC out hacking and considering a hat cam!

[Melody Grey]

Thanking my lucky stars today for one of my horses and I walking away relatively unscathed from a collision with a car yesterday out hacking. We both went down on the road but luckily no major damage.

The police attended and were brilliant- the driver has been reported for a number of offences and his vehicle was seized, so that’s one less idiot on the roads!

I’ve been riding on the roads almost daily for about 30 years and seen an increasing number of close passes and drivers being impatient so thinking about getting a hatcam or at least a tabbard eluding to me wearing one! Has anyone found this (or anything else) helpful?

Having a large gin and tonic and an ‘easier than usual’ day today!

 

[cauda equina]

How frightening, I'm glad you're both ok

 

[SEL]

Relieved you're both ok.

My yard neighbour got side swiped by a driver who then stopped and yelled because the horse had knocked the wing mirror. It was all caught on her headcam so the police had evidence

We've also got a tonne of "slow for horses signs" from the council on the road now

I'm buying one. I've set my OH the challenge if sorting me something

 

[scats]

Gosh how scary for you. I’m so glad you are ok.

 

[Fjord]

Oh god, how scary! I'm glad you are both OK, I hope you're not too shaken up. A hatcam sounds like a sensible idea, can you get one that records front and back? Also a tabard with a camera icon might be a deterrent.

 

[Snow Falcon]

Hope there are no long lasting effects. Arnica for your bruises. What a horrid thing to experience.

 

[July dreamer]

Glad to hear that you are both OK. I have a Techalogic DC1 which records front and back and don't hack out without it. I have reported a few idiots that have passed too fast and I believe they have all, at least, had a letter from the Police. I also like to wear it because of the number of dogs that seem to be out of control, I think video evidence is invaluable.

 

[CobsaGooden]

This terrifies me. Our roads are pretty quiet but there is one stretch of about 500m that’s a bit unnerving at times.

Hacking today and I was in front on a friends horse with 2 younger girls on their ponies. I signalled to turn left onto the road (which was clear so enough time for us all to get out together) with the girls close behind. A bus came up fast, (I’d already turned left onto the road) and the first girl had to halt her pony as the bus shot passed and very close to me and the horse I was on. It’s a 40 road and he was far exceeded it.

So wish I’d have had a hat cam as I’d have reported him immediately.

So glad you and your horse are not seriously injured

 

[Melody Grey]

Relieved you're both ok.

My yard neighbour got side swiped by a driver who then stopped and yelled because the horse had knocked the wing mirror. It was all caught on her headcam so the police had evidence

We've also got a tonne of "slow for horses signs" from the council on the road now

I'm buying one. I've set my OH the challenge if sorting me something

The police want to put me in touch with their rural policing unit (units from a nearby town attended) so I might ask how we go about getting signs put up.

It happened in a small village where there are a lot of double parked cars to navigate- a driver had tried to squeeze through a none existent gap and hit us from behind…. A few seconds waiting as we finished trotting would have given enough room!

 

[PeterNatt]

I am so sorry to hear of this incident. Please also report to the Horsei App as they collect statistics of horse-related incidents, which are used for statistical purposes so that they can demonstrate to local authorities and the government the numbers of incidents and also determine black spots of where incidents occur.
I would suggest that you buy a Techalogic DC1 as they film from front and rear at the same time. If you buy them directly from the www.techalogic.co.uk web site and enter code PWAS1 you receive a 7% discount.
I also suggest that you wear a long sleeved Hi-Viz jacket as other road users will see your hand signals more easily.
Also High Viz on your horse.

 

[Melody Grey]

I am so sorry to hear of this incident. Please also report to the Horsei App as they collect statistics of horse-related incidents, which are used for statistical purposes so that they can demonstrate to local authorities and the government the numbers of incidents and also determine black spots of where incidents occur.
I would suggest that you buy a Techalogic DC1 as they film from front and rear at the same time. If you buy them directly from the www.techalogic.co.uk web site and enter code PWAS1 you receive a 7% discount.
I also suggest that you wear a long sleeved Hi-Viz jacket as other road users will see your hand signals more easily.
Also High Viz on your horse.

Thanks will look into the hat cam
Recommendation. I’m always kitted out in a hi viz tabard or coat and a hi viz quarter sheet on the horse- never leave the yard without them.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Good grief, that sounds horrendous.

OP. If you BOTH "went down" on the road. PLEASE Please please think about your own and your horse's well being now.

Firstly, if you haven't done so already, get yourself checked out by a doctor. Go to Casualty if you have to, but get it recorded that you have had "medical treatment" after this incident. Get photographs of your injuries and X-rays if necessary.

For your horse: get the vet out and ask them to give your horse a thorough going-over. Also get your physio out too. And get a proper veterinary "Report". And photographs too if your horse was injured. Go to the scene and take some photographs. Use a professional photographer if you can. Keep all receipts and accounts.

Also: go to a Legal who has experience in Personal Injury claims. Take the documents you have with you so that they can be forwarded to the Driver's insurance company. Because you are going to take them to the cleaners. Big time.

So sorry this has happened, but at this stage it really is important that you keep a record of everything and like I say, get yourself a proper medical report and your horse a vet's report (your Legal should press you to do this anyway, but you need to do it ASAP after the accident).

 

[Melody Grey]

@MiJodsR2BlinkinTite great advice and that’s all in hand Thankyou.

ETA: luckily there’s no need to ‘take them to the cleaners’ and that would be the least of their worries frankly. There is a long list of charges against them (which I’m not sure I should post here), but enough for them to end up in custody with the vehicle seized.

mainly just relieved to have walked away and lived to tell the tale!

 

[Time for Tea]

I am so glad you are both all right, at least subject to further checks. The reckless behaviour of so many drivers these days is seriously concerning. As though they are driving on the road with nothing and nobody else there.

 

[SEL]

@MiJodsR2BlinkinTite great advice and that’s all in hand Thankyou.

ETA: luckily there’s no need to ‘take them to the cleaners’ and that would be the least of their worries frankly. There is a long list of charges against them (which I’m not sure I should post here), but enough for them to end up in custody with the vehicle seized.

mainly just relieved to have walked away and lived to tell the tale!

Sounds like the driver should have been off the road before now

How are you this morning?

 

[Bradsmum]

Hope you and your horse are feeling ok today, take it easy and do something nice together as that was a big shock for you both.

 

[Melody Grey]

Sounds like the driver should have been off the road before now

How are you this morning?

Indeed. Achy and sore but otherwise good Thankyou

 

[Birker2020]

Not sure where BB is but they have a fabby make of dash cam.
I have an exercise sheet that says something along the lines of 'being filmed'.

 

[Boughtabay]

I wear a GoPro on my chest when riding but obviously that only catches what’s going on in front. Technologic(sp?) is recommended a lot on the pass wide and slow Facebook page which is front and back, also that page has a discount code for them.

I see a definite change in attitude wearing my GoPro vs not generally. That said I had a scary incident with a tanker lorry with my camera on (but not recording sadly). Unfortunately I’ve made the decision not to hit the roads around home as a result… so for every driver that gets a telling off I wonder how many riders like me feel forced off the roads we have every right to be on.

 

[Peglo]

Oh my goodness, that is terrifying. So glad your both ok and the police took such quick action against the driver.

A friend of mine wore a Pom Pom hat cover that she thought a lot of drivers assumed was a hat cam as she said they passed her much slower so I do think it helps.

I got a GoPro but as of yet I’ve not used it but it was because of the escalating inconsiderate driving around here.

 

[MissTyc]

I don't ride on the roads without my techalogic any more. I point at it when drivers are going to fast/too close/etc, and it usually makes them react immediately. The footage is easy to download, very clear front and back, and the battery life is excellent. I only use mine on the roads or if there is a loose dog! It's very easy to switch on and off even with thick winter gloves and has a vibration feedback so you know when you're turned it on or off. I've worn mine in all weathers. I did need to add a hat band around the strap as it came loose a few times. It came with a wristband controller to take still shots, but that broke a long time ago for me!

I really hope you're OK, OP - sounds awful!

 

[ponynutz]

So glad you're both okay!

I've recently got a dash cam for my car and am thinking about a helmet cam too. I own an ancient GoPro so would just use that.

 

[Polos Mum]

I have a short stretch of 50 mph road to do to get from home to the bridleway network - about 500m

I have had a techlogic for about 2 years now and I guess I've reported about 30-40 people to the police in that time (I only hack on that route once or twice a week in nice weather!)
The Operation Snap state they have about a 70% conviction rate from submissions so that's a lot of idiots prosecuted.

The main benefit though is that it sticks out of my hat and is really obvious - people really slow down and creep past us (maybe the road has now got a reputation for prosecutions!!)

The odd time I forget to put it on they fly past as usual.

If you can paint an old toilet roll inner black and strap it to your hat you might get the same effect for 50p !

 

[Xmasha]

That sounds awful, glad you and your horse are ok. But do make sure you take it easy for a bit.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

So glad your both OK, so scary for you. I always ride out in my body cam now. Its just a bit more evidence I can give to the police if needed. Luckily, the yard I'm moving to has hacking straight into the woods so I may not need to do battle on the roads anymore but o will still wear it as we will now have more cyclists and dog walkers to contend with!!

 

[Rowreach]

I have a Techalogic DC1 and have reported quite a number of drivers as a result of the footage, all of whom have been cautioned/fined/got points as a result. It's quite an expensive camera and I find it feels heavy and a bit obtrusive. They also do a single lens clip on camera which is slightly cheaper, but I can't justify getting another one.

I prefer my Muvi camera which is tiny and very good, but only has a short battery life. That's fine if I'm only doing a small amount of roadwork during a ride because I can turn it on and off as necessary.

There is a new OculusPro camera out, which is dual lens and completely waterproof (another problem with the Techalogic) but it is around £250 I think.

There's another one I've seen advertised lately which was more reasonably priced, but I can't for the life of me find it anywhere. It will probably pop up again now and I'll post it here.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Mine is a boblov one. It was a present so not sure how much it cost but they look very reasonable. Great recording and easy to use.

 

[Rowreach]

I use different hiviz with lots of camera images and 15mph signs (it’s still 15mph in NI) on Sundays as the church traffic is far far worse than weekdays

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Best thing you can do is buy a helmet camera trust me, if it serious enough the police do act as per one of my letters. also records licence.

Glad you and your horse are ok - but very scary I bet.

I use go pro 7 on my hat and always knee boots on my horse

 

[PeterNatt]

Melody Grey! May I suggest that you do what MyJodsR2BlinkingTight stated above as a sensible precaution? Good luck.