Still too many people without High Viz

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Orangehorse

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I drove across the county on Saturday morning and saw lots of people out riding. And not one had any High Viz.

Some on a busy main road, some along country lanes, others coming out of their livery yard. It was an OK summer morning, but they simply don't realise how a rider on a bay horse, with the rider in dark clothes blends beautifully into the green hedge and grey road.

High viz clothes need to become a fashion statement, rather than something that "proper" riders look down upon as only suitable for nerdy happy hackers. Yes there is a lady who lives near here whose daughter events and hunts and people have complained to me about her, that they can never see her and her horse. I on the other hand always go out with high viz on me and my horse, but of course, I am not a proper rider as I don't compete much!
 
I agree!

I had a few near misses this weekend of riders and cyclists.

I wonder if hi viz was a better cut and fitted closer if more people would wear it? I love my hi viz cycle shirt as it doesn't flap but my god its like a beacon!!
 
This is a topic that always hits a nerve!! I simply do not understand why some riders think they're invincible, the hi-viz gives other road users those few vital seconds to hit the brake pedal. I go out with my horse lit up like a Christmas tree and will always continue to, I think if possible it needs to be made compulsory even if a basic fluorescent jacket is worn if riders are going to ride on the road, I know some people will disagree saying it is the riders choice but at the end of the day you wear it to allow other road users to see you so why couldn't you?
 
I will never understand as both a rider and a driver (car) why people don't wear it. If you wear it you get seen earlier and better! I am not a speedy driver (think driving miss daisy) and still I often don't see them until the last minute. I hate that people don't wear it, incidents happen... Do they not care about their horse? A horse hit by a car is likely to die.
 
I have started winding down the window and telling people that they'd be safer in hi viz.

How can you claim to love your horse but not do all you can to ensure it doesn't end up as an ornament on someone's car bonnet?
 
I don't wear Hi Viz when hacking on a bright summers day.

1. I think it looks bloody aweful.
2. No amount of Hi Viz or lack of it changes the responsibility of a driver to drive safely.
3. Being told what to wear for whatever reason is a form of oppression and bullying.

If you disagree with 3. imagine if we applied the same thought to pedestrians: "Little old lady, I know that car was on the wrong side of the road when it ran you over, but your clothes just weren't day-glo enough, so it's your fault, and the driver is suing you for the damage to his fender."
 
Pedestrians usually have sidewalks. We ride ON the road and on lanes. I believe that we should have to do everything we can to prevent accidents. People used to poopoo seatbelts and now it's illegal to not use them!
 
Does your seatbelt opress or bully you! No! It's for your safety and the safety of others! Your horse and other road users!
 
I would still like someone to give a valid reaso for not wearing hi vis, other than freedom of speech, which is the only reason that gets brought up on hi vis threads.
 
pennyturner said:
I don't wear Hi Viz when hacking on a bright summers day.

1. I think it looks bloody aweful.
2. No amount of Hi Viz or lack of it changes the responsibility of a driver to drive safely.
3. Being told what to wear for whatever reason is a form of oppression and bullying.

If you disagree with 3. imagine if we applied the same thought to pedestrians: "Little old lady, I know that car was on the wrong side of the road when it ran you over, but your clothes just weren't day-glo enough, so it's your fault, and the driver is suing you for the damage to his fender."
Click to expand...

Did you never see the public advisory films - "wear something light at night" before the days of hi viz?
You look a lot more stupid splattered at the side of a road than with a bit of bright /hi viz gear. Just a hatband and leg bands make a huge difference.
I assume you don't drive? It is scary when something suddenly appears in view - be it cyclist, horse or pedestrian - and you don't have to be sppeding or driving dangerously to not see something in a shade patch.

Point 3 - being too dim to preserve yourself should make it the responsibility of others to protect you.
 
pennyturner said:
I don't wear Hi Viz when hacking on a bright summers day.

1. I think it looks bloody aweful.
2. No amount of Hi Viz or lack of it changes the responsibility of a driver to drive safely.
3. Being told what to wear for whatever reason is a form of oppression and bullying.

If you disagree with 3. imagine if we applied the same thought to pedestrians: "Little old lady, I know that car was on the wrong side of the road when it ran you over, but your clothes just weren't day-glo enough, so it's your fault, and the driver is suing you for the damage to his fender."
Click to expand...

1) It looks a whole lot better than your brains being on the road.
2) No - but it gives them several more vital seconds to apply the brakes.
3) If you want to risk your own head, you carry on with that attitude. Just please don't put your poor horse at a disadvantage and the onus on every other road user to put YOU first. The world ain't perfect: it's a very crowded planet and accidents do happen.

Would you really rather be injured and feel you were still in the right not to be 'bullied'? Or wear a bit of high viz, use some common sense and let people know you're on the road too.

Finally - my Mum was hit and killed by a car. She was wearing dark clothes as she crossed the road in the dusk and the poor driver didn't stand a chance. The guy was traumatised for a long time and it wasn't until the inquest that I was allowed to speak to him. I did what I know my Mum would have wanted and said 'I am so very sorry this happened to you - please accept our heartfelt apologies'.
 
Mrs B, you have brought tears to my eyes.

Hi viz = common sense, something many people lack, sadly.
 
As a rider and car driver I wish everyone heading out into the road (I include cyclists in this, belting down a the middle of a dark shady road in black makes me have heart attacks while nearly killing you - please don't do it!) would wear some high viz (a faded hat band really doesn't cut it though lol!).

The roads around here are pretty much a cars width, plus a couple of cm, with nice high dark banks. As a driver I want to be able to see what is infront of me so I can slow down in good time (I'm a safe and careful driver, but I'm not about to go around at 5mph incase there is a camouflage idiot in front!) and we can pass each other calmly and safely.

As a rider I want anyone driving around the roads to see us asap so they can slow down in good time (ok, so some can't' seem to manage this basic courtesy, but that is a whole other can of worms!).

We are in a very horsey area, and we have yet to come across another rider with high viz. We often get eyes raised when we are seen (don't be a berk, we are trying to be safe!), and comments of - 'can't miss you'! Well, at the speed most people drive then I would hope not as every moments notice they have can only be a good thing! We don't go out like we are sponsored by a high viz company (though I can't see how there is such a things as too much - who bloody cares so long as you are seen?!) just a long sleeved item on the rider and a mesh quarter sheet on the horses. Stands out a treat and is easy and comfy to wear - litteraly a no brainer?!

I hate the 'holier than thou' approach taken by those far too important with far too posh horses to wear high viz. It is not yourself you need to think about, but your horse and the other road users you are joining.
 
pennyturner said:
I don't wear Hi Viz when hacking on a bright summers day.

1. I think it looks bloody aweful.
2. No amount of Hi Viz or lack of it changes the responsibility of a driver to drive safely.
3. Being told what to wear for whatever reason is a form of oppression and bullying.

If you disagree with 3. imagine if we applied the same thought to pedestrians: "Little old lady, I know that car was on the wrong side of the road when it ran you over, but your clothes just weren't day-glo enough, so it's your fault, and the driver is suing you for the damage to his fender."
Click to expand...


WOW! I've never seen something so stupid!!

Take these two pictures for example; one riding on a bright, sunny day. The other on more of an overcast day, both are incredibly hard to spot even when the camera is stationary and not moving like a normal car would.

hiviz.png


943159_10200771420020380_1163389246_n.jpg


I'll move onto your 3 point now:
1: Safety isn't a fashion show. Wear it and be thankful that you are your horse come back safely from a hack.
2: Yes, some drivers are idiots, but most are very courteous to riders and respect them on the road. I would definitely rather spot a horse a mile off in the distance wearing hi-viz, than be 2 meters from them swerving to another lane.
3: It's not enforced by law. You're not being told what to do. It should be common sense.. If you find it a form of bullying/oppression you really should not be on the roads putting your life, your horse and other road users at risk because 'I don't want to follow safety rules'.

I fully suggest you put your toys back in your pram and grow up before you cause an accident!
 
pennyturner said:
I don't wear Hi Viz when hacking on a bright summers day.

1. I think it looks bloody aweful.
2. No amount of Hi Viz or lack of it changes the responsibility of a driver to drive safely.
3. Being told what to wear for whatever reason is a form of oppression and bullying.

If you disagree with 3. imagine if we applied the same thought to pedestrians: "Little old lady, I know that car was on the wrong side of the road when it ran you over, but your clothes just weren't day-glo enough, so it's your fault, and the driver is suing you for the damage to his fender."
Click to expand...

Its not just about fashion and whether you should or not, its also about self preservation isn't it. Yes its the responsibility of the driver to drive safely, but if you have any sense at all, its YOUR job to make that easy for them by being visible, and light and shade on sunny days are some of the worst conditions to be riding in imho as far as visibility goes (although obviously hacking is wonderful in nice weather!). No point saying 'it was the driver's responsibility' when you're a vegetable for the rest of you life, or you have to brushed up from the road :(

I think the thought of my OH having to care for me if I was in an accident as a result of not wearing hi vis is enough for me, do I really want him responsible for dressing me and wiping my bum, no thanks :o
 
Yes I came home last night and there was this guy on a bay with a dark jumper on but no hi viz. Theres no point in not wearing for vanity sake. We have a guy around here who regularly rides out hacking with no hat. He wont listen when we say he should. Scary!
 
Alphamare said:
Pedestrians usually have sidewalks. We ride ON the road and on lanes. I believe that we should have to do everything we can to prevent accidents. People used to poopoo seatbelts and now it's illegal to not use them!
Click to expand...

Years ago I watched a program about road traffic accidents.
They had this expert on who analysed accidents, investigated safety in cars ect.

His conclusions were that the best way to cut down accidents was to make everybody basically very scared whilst driving. Remove all the safety equipment and mount a large metal spike in the middle of the steering wheel.

More safety equipment makes people more casual in their approach to taking enough care themselves.
And the huge weighting towards what the driver does, attitude, speed, decision making ect. means that any advance that makes the driver less conscious and aware that it is solely down to them whether they cause an accident means the roads get less safe.

Seat belts don't cut accidents down, they help people survive them.
 
Love the assumption that I don't drive... (because I must be, like, fick, yeah?!)

I drive cars, tractor, lorry and carriages. Don't tell me anything about drivers until you've taken out a horse drawn vehicle out on the road! The problem is not that they don't see you - it's how they react when they do.

The safety argument is the thin edge of the wedge by which we lose our freedoms. How about my antique carriage - do I need to paint that up like a canary? My tractor goes about the same speed. Am I to presume I need to repaint that also, or should both be banned from the road? Perhaps horses should be banned from the road too. We should only ride them on bridlepaths and in fields, right? Actually, they're pretty dangerous full stop. Why are they allowed at all?

I wear Hi Viz when the visibility is iffy. Just don't agree with it being mandated in broad daylight. Of course, I might DECIDE to wear it, if I thought the road conditions warranted it.
 
It is people's right not to use it it does look bloody awful it amazes me that horse clothing companies who can persuade people to spend the best part of £70 on a polo shirt have not turned their energy into producing some stuff that looks less c**p than 95% of what's on offer.
The cycle clothing manufactures are producing some funky fun nice looking stuff what's stopping the horse riders clothing people doing the same.
I hate this bulling attitude about this it turns more people off the cause than on .
The comparison with seat belts is not a good one you can compare a hat with a seat belt not hi viz which is all about being seen and does diddly squat to protect you in an accident .
 
Oh dear :rolleyes:

no Pennyturner, don't deface your antique carriage - hang a hi vis vest off the back as I've seen many in carriages do.

Tractors are a different story.

Car vs horse = bad ending for both potentially
Car vs tractor = tractor barely notices, car is totalled.

I woudl feel fine driving a tractor on the roads even if it was a green and yellow one, blending in perfectly with a hedge. But when mine and my horses necks are literally on the line I'll give that driver as much opportunity as I can to see me. High hedges? Simples, hat bands are a great solution for blind bends.

Some functional, horsey hi vis for the fashion conscious, mine is still going strong, bright as ever 10 years on.

http://www.equafleece.co.uk/store/people.html
 
pennyturner said:
Love the assumption that I don't drive... (because I must be, like, fick, yeah?!)

I drive cars, tractor, lorry and carriages. Don't tell me anything about drivers until you've taken out a horse drawn vehicle out on the road! The problem is not that they don't see you - it's how they react when they do.

The safety argument is the thin edge of the wedge by which we lose our freedoms. How about my antique carriage - do I need to paint that up like a canary? My tractor goes about the same speed. Am I to presume I need to repaint that also, or should both be banned from the road? Perhaps horses should be banned from the road too. We should only ride them on bridlepaths and in fields, right? Actually, they're pretty dangerous full stop. Why are they allowed at all?

I wear Hi Viz when the visibility is iffy. Just don't agree with it being mandated in broad daylight. Of course, I might DECIDE to wear it, if I thought the road conditions warranted it.
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You should really not be allowed on the road if that is your mentality.

And yes, I have driven my YO cob and trap round our country lanes and main roads. He was wearing a fluorescent bridle kit, we were wearing tabards and then we had a fluorescent driving sign tied to the back saying 'Horse and Carriage, Please pass slow and wide'. It's not hard to help your safety!

I am a driver too - I drive a car/truck/van and tractor. Vehicles are easily seen by other road users due to their size and status in the road. A horse walking slowly by the edge of a road, in and out shadows is very hard to see ( see my pictures above ) and that's how accidents happen.

I was driving to my parents house yesterday on a blissfully sunny day to come across a pony, young rider with her parent leading her, with not one bit of hi-viz on; the pony was bay and I could not tell them apart from the shadows of the trees. My partner and I only seen them at about 10 metres away and had to slow down immediately.

If you want to endanger yourself and your horse please carry on how you are. But you must not speak one word if the untoward happens. I find you very ignorant and immature.
 
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My seatbelt analogy was not for the vs hi bus argument but against the idea of being 'told what to do'

I agree they don't prevent accidents and personally I feel people are too careless when driving, I love the metal spike idea.

Far too many idiots on the road to not wear hi viz. at least then they can't bleat 'but I didn't see you'!!
 
JennyConnor said:
WOW! I've never seen something so stupid!!

Take these two pictures for example; one riding on a bright, sunny day. The other on more of an overcast day, both are incredibly hard to spot even when the camera is stationary and not moving like a normal car would.

hiviz.png


943159_10200771420020380_1163389246_n.jpg


I'll move onto your 3 point now:
1: Safety isn't a fashion show. Wear it and be thankful that you are your horse come back safely from a hack.
2: Yes, some drivers are idiots, but most are very courteous to riders and respect them on the road. I would definitely rather spot a horse a mile off in the distance wearing hi-viz, than be 2 meters from them swerving to another lane.
3: It's not enforced by law. You're not being told what to do. It should be common sense.. If you find it a form of bullying/oppression you really should not be on the roads putting your life, your horse and other road users at risk because 'I don't want to follow safety rules'.

I fully suggest you put your toys back in your pram and grow up before you cause an accident!
Click to expand...

I am too young to drive, but just from a sight point of view, it took me a good few minutes of staring at those photos before I even realised there were riders in them.. I think more companies are trying to make more flattering hi-viz stuff, even something silly like a brightly coloured numnah can make a difference!! When I go hacking, the attitude towards me in all my hi-viz( mesh sheet, leg bands, arm bands, hat band and fluorescent tabard) I get a better response and a friendlier one than others who I ride with/hack out with nothing, it is more helpful to the driver and I think most are very gratituous (if that's a word?!) to the riders who try and make their life safer and the drivers easier too.
 
P.S: I wear a tabard, leg band, exercise sheet and bridle covers. And no, I don't care what I look like. I'm grateful that people can spot me from far away and take the necessary action to slow down and drive safely around me.
 
If a car driver hits my tractor I guess I will come off best (not always though). If a car hits my horse he is going to at least traumatised and maybe fatally injured. Some accidents are unavoidable, but every road user should do their utmost to avoid them.

I am interested in that the person who disagreed put the first point as "Looks awful."
 
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