Rude Drivers Whilst Hacking

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ChloeC418

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I keep my horse on a livery yard where the only hacking direct from the yard is onto a road into a village. These roads used to be much quieter but multiple housing developments have been built so now the road into the village is busier (once you’re off that road it’s much quieter and with slower traffic). We’re talking a 40mph into a 30mph zone just before the yard all the way into the village – so not national speed limit road.

We often have to signal to drivers to slow down, and every single hack we’re met with drivers who think the appropriate response is to remain at the same speed and swear out the window at us. Thankfully the horses are saints, but as we all know it only takes a split second for everything to go wrong.

My question is, has anyone successfully reported this type of incident? I do have a GoPro which I will wear going forward to record the reg numbers of these people.
 
Sorry to hear this. Please do report incidents. Staffordshire Police apparently aren't part of Operation Snap (which i thought was nationwide) but you can report and submit video evidence on their website here: https://www.staffordshire.police.uk/ro/report/rti/rti-beta-2.1/report-a-road-traffic-incident/
read the guidelines on what your video needs to show here first: https://www.staffordshire.police.uk...safety/making-a-road-traffic-incident-report/ - for e.g. it needs to be a minute either side of the incident (to give them the full context I presume) and un-edited.

Please ALSO report to BHS via Horse I app or their website. The app is free on Apple and Android. BHS use the stats they gather to inform both locally - requesting road signs, choosing locations for Close Pass operations with Police - and nationally - lobbying government for changes. The stats are vital to being taken seriously - without stats we are grumbling horse people, with stats to prove out case then notice gets taken! Might still be an uphill battle but the stats help enormously.
 
I totally agree with all the above posts but please can all horse riders remember to acknowledge when drivers wait and/give them space. I am obviously very invovled in the horse world but it does annoy me when I get behind local happy hackers who dawdle along, never pull into a driveway to let you past or trot to a passing space. I even had two who walked past an entrance to then play with their horses in a flooded bit of the road whilst I was trapped behind.. I stopped and questioned their behaviour and they were oblivious!!! That sort of behaviour makes a saint enraged!!
 
OK..... so firstly let me say that understandably you are outraged at the behaviour & attitudes shown, any one of us would be.

Whilst we live in rural Devon here, we do have to do a lot of road-work, and sadly not everyone is considerate - I've had a (woman) driver deliberately hoot at me when I've been riding, out of sheer spite.

I take it you are already as highly viz'd up (both you and your horses) as you can possibly be?, then some. This helps motorists understand that you are serious, mega serious, about your own safety and that of your horses.

With your "signals to slow down" that you are giving. Unfortunately there are a lot of motorists out there who just do not understand hand signals; they really don't, and frequently these are misunderstood: best-case scenario is they think you're being "friendly" and waving at them for this reason; worst-case scenario it really winds people up, as you have found.

However, what we find helps sharpen people's mind quicker than anything is a hat-cam. I wear a tabard which clearly advertises this fact, plus you can also get hi-viz neck-bands for the horse which indicate the camera logo on them.

It sounds like you may need to do an "engagement" campaign; I have a lovely friend, who lives in a fairly busy area, and every time she takes her youngster out on the roads, she will post a "thank you" post (with a picture) on the local social media village group. This not only helps to raise awareness, but also acts as a "friendly" signalling for people to please take care & be aware.

I'd recommend you join the FB group "Pass Wide & Slow". It may be that an "Awareness Ride" in your area might be a suitable response at some point, where you would essentially get some of you together and do a "Ride Out". The PWAS group would be able to give you all the information you need to organise this.

Right now though, you need to get friendly faces on board: so you need to reach out - nicely - to local social media, and people like local Councillors & County Councillors, as well as perhaps your local PCSO (reach out to your County Council Road Safety Dept and also the Police Accident Prevention Officer at your regional police HQ). Also any local press that might be willing to run a story. Anyone who you can get to listen basically.

Good luck!
 
sport horse said:
I totally agree with all the above posts but please can all horse riders remember to acknowledge when drivers wait and/give them space. I am obviously very invovled in the horse world but it does annoy me when I get behind local happy hackers who dawdle along, never pull into a driveway to let you past or trot to a passing space. I even had two who walked past an entrance to then play with their horses in a flooded bit of the road whilst I was trapped behind.. I stopped and questioned their behaviour and they were oblivious!!! That sort of behaviour makes a saint enraged!!
Click to expand...

Adding to this, if you get the chance and your horses are safe then do stop and chat to people, let their kids fuss them etc. It's a little thing but it can make them see us and our horses as more than just something on the road, and if we're lucky they'll talk to friends and family too. Once they see that slow moving nuisance as someone they know and who knows them then the attitude really changes.
 
We have operation Snap in Yorkshire and I've had a good few police fines for people stopping to shout at me on the road.

The difference in behaviour when they see a hat cam is really marked - I put mine on even when it is out of charge as I now consider just it physically being there to be a safety feature. Someone creative could do a good job with black paint and a toilet roll inner I suspect it would have the same effect.
People come over the brow of a steep hill near us, see the camera and slam on the brakes !
 
A pick up truck went so fast round a blind bend, it skidded sideways. Left tyre marks on the road. I was literally waiting for it to plough into us. Scary moment. Received abuse as well. Registration noted. Police were very good and spoke to the twat. Local scum bag drug dealer who is always stealing cars, came down the same narrow country lane at 70 mph. My friend had to jump a ditch on her horse as the vehicle headed towards her. It ended up in a tree. They all legged it. Friend gave go pro footage to police. We all knew who it was. But nothing was done. He’s now actually in prison awaiting trial for another car accident that put a girl in a wheelchair. Sudbury. Suffolk.
 
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
OK..... so firstly let me say that understandably you are outraged at the behaviour & attitudes shown, any one of us would be.

Whilst we live in rural Devon here, we do have to do a lot of road-work, and sadly not everyone is considerate - I've had a (woman) driver deliberately hoot at me when I've been riding, out of sheer spite.

I take it you are already as highly viz'd up (both you and your horses) as you can possibly be?, then some. This helps motorists understand that you are serious, mega serious, about your own safety and that of your horses.

With your "signals to slow down" that you are giving. Unfortunately there are a lot of motorists out there who just do not understand hand signals; they really don't, and frequently these are misunderstood: best-case scenario is they think you're being "friendly" and waving at them for this reason; worst-case scenario it really winds people up, as you have found.

However, what we find helps sharpen people's mind quicker than anything is a hat-cam. I wear a tabard which clearly advertises this fact, plus you can also get hi-viz neck-bands for the horse which indicate the camera logo on them.

It sounds like you may need to do an "engagement" campaign; I have a lovely friend, who lives in a fairly busy area, and every time she takes her youngster out on the roads, she will post a "thank you" post (with a picture) on the local social media village group. This not only helps to raise awareness, but also acts as a "friendly" signalling for people to please take care & be aware.

I'd recommend you join the FB group "Pass Wide & Slow". It may be that an "Awareness Ride" in your area might be a suitable response at some point, where you would essentially get some of you together and do a "Ride Out". The PWAS group would be able to give you all the information you need to organise this.

Right now though, you need to get friendly faces on board: so you need to reach out - nicely - to local social media, and people like local Councillors & County Councillors, as well as perhaps your local PCSO (reach out to your County Council Road Safety Dept and also the Police Accident Prevention Officer at your regional police HQ). Also any local press that might be willing to run a story. Anyone who you can get to listen basically.

Good luck!
Click to expand...
Thanks for such an in-depth response. Yes, full hi-vis for all horses and riders. I have thought about posting on the local Facebook group but not done so yet. The people living around the village are generally lovely and we always stop to say hello and have lots of familiar faces which is nice. But agree more room to speak to local councillors etc, one of ours is an equine vet so may be a good approach.
Nari said:
Adding to this, if you get the chance and your horses are safe then do stop and chat to people, let their kids fuss them etc. It's a little thing but it can make them see us and our horses as more than just something on the road, and if we're lucky they'll talk to friends and family too. Once they see that slow moving nuisance as someone they know and who knows them then the attitude really changes.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your reply. Yes, we always stop and/or wave whenever safe to do so. One of the most notable occurrences recently - there was a young (maybe 10?) girl in the front seat while their Dad swore at us out the window. Great role model :rolleyes:
 
I’ve tried the “posting nicely on the local Facebook group” thing and it hasn’t made the slightest bit of difference. Fingers crossed it works in your area OP.
 
ChloeC418 said:
Thanks for such an in-depth response. Yes, full hi-vis for all horses and riders. I have thought about posting on the local Facebook group but not done so yet. The people living around the village are generally lovely and we always stop to say hello and have lots of familiar faces which is nice. But agree more room to speak to local councillors etc, one of ours is an equine vet so may be a good approach.

Thanks for your reply. Yes, we always stop and/or wave whenever safe to do so. One of the most notable occurrences recently - there was a young (maybe 10?) girl in the front seat while their Dad swore at us out the window. Great role model :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
Some of the worse ones near me are rhe pony club parents in silent electric SUVs that fly around corners and squeeze past with their kids in jods and hats in the car.

Most locals are fine and will stop and chat, its generally lovely, but I have noticed a difference in the past couple of years which is odd as I've only been on current yard for a years. Not sure what's changed.

My husband has a cycling camera he never uses I'm considering stealing it.
 
The Highway Code (215 Page 85) states that Horses should be passed at no greater a speed than 10mph and no less than 2 metres of space.
My advice would be to wear a long-sleeved Hi Viz jacket so that other road users can clearly see your hand signals, and to wear a front and rear Hat/Cam, such as the Techalogic DC1.
If you are passed dangerously, then report to your local Police force using their online portal, where you can download camera footage.
In addition, report all incidents on the Horsei App. The App is available from the App Store.
If there is a road where you have numerous issues, then the Police can organise an Operation Slow Pass where they monitor a horse rider and stop drivers who are passing them incorrectly.
 
Get a camera and record your rides , but more importantly , report any rude or agressive driving to the police and also log on the BHS app . The only way to improve drivers atituse around horses is by education.
 
99.9% of drivers around here are super friendly, happy to see horses and very respectful and smiley.

The 0.1% who aren't, begrudgingly still slow down or pull in when they see my hat cam...!
 
There are numerous tabards, coats, rugs, etc. that have bold messages for drivers that you can wear. As a local vet said, we dress horses to go across country, we should dress them to go out on the road too.

Everyone says that a well advertised hat-cam is probably the best. Good luck.
 
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