Stopping traffic ....

C

ColleenIsh

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n.ireland
every thing is possible
Am I allowed to do this ?


Hubbie has agreed to take Missy across the road for me ( grass is greener and all that) ...I will be taking the big grey mare over with her for company and also because lily is fine in traffic ...


Am I allowed to ask traffic to stop ?
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The road isnt massive but it can get quite busy .
 
I think your best bet would be to get a couple of helpers and d it at the quietest time of day (on a sunday), and post one person 500 yards one way, the other 500 yards the other, and get them to wave down any traffic for a few secs whilst you cross. Possibly dangerous, but can't see any other way.
 
Well all I will say is good luck in trying!!!! There is nothing stopping you but it is whether drivers will actually stop...take care because some people will drive and keep going even when you are stood in the road with a clear signal to stop and a florescent jacket on! This happened to me and a friends on numerous occasions when marshalling at endurance events. A couple of drivers even just over took me on the wrong side of the road rather than stop or slow down! So be careful and go at the quietest time of day...Sunday before 9am should help.
 
I used to cross a main road to get to off road hacking, and on the vast majority of occassions traffic was happy to stop (I used to lead quite large rides at times) Not sure what the story is with the horse, but if she can be trotted over, I would, minimize the time you are in the road for, and echo others to pick a quiet time of day, and do it in good weather and good light too.
 
we had to hack to our new yard across a really busy "A "road. i went ahead and stopped the traffic with my hi vis on,drivers were very good
 
generally drivers are good about following instructions, especially if you are visible and of course the highway code encourages drivers to pay attention to the signals of those with horses...however, be prepared for the unexpected..you can't make them stop.

Be sure that approaching traffic has a clear view of you for several hundred metres if possible (ie don't jump out at them just after a bend) in both directions
 
I'm not sure drivers would stop!! I was out hacking the other evening on a relatively busy road, approaching a blind summit and a 4x4 pulling a horse trailer stopped behind me to wait until I got to summit of hill so they could pass and then before I reached the top a car have overtaken the trailer and me on the blind summit!! My heart was in my mouth but the car got by and I turned and looked at the 4x4 driver as if to say "what a nutter", when another 4x4 plus TRAILER!! did the exact same thing, overtaking the first trailer and me on a blind summit, by this sime I was at the top and a car was approaching in the other direction, I thought that was it but the approaching car screeched on the brakes the 4x4 and trailer swerved almost clipping me and my horse and sped off down the hill. Everyone else stayed motionless for a moment, I swallowed my heart, thanked the Lord and waived the patient drivers on again. I just can't understand why anyone would want to overtake anyone, let alone a horse and horse trailer! on a BLIND SUMMIT!!
 
I would probably cross really early in the morning and wait until there's no cars, rather than crossing and making them stop. I used to help at a riding school and we had to do this occasionally if a car came out of nowhere or if there was a problem with the horses. But ther'es no guarantee they'll stop, or stop but then wizz past with an inch to spare! If you trot it should only take a few seconds to cross the road I would have thought.
 
Well as it is a really good day ....I couldnt not put her out, The road isnt massive but it is quite busy ... there is a few breaks in the traffic ...So we got them both out without any mishaps apart from a few bronco type steps from missy .


K_T ...been there ... its bloody well scary , you think " thats it my life is now over "

Just thank the lord no one was hurt .
 
we have done this in the past and we are in the middle of liverpool dont have any problem 99% of drivers round by us are great and a smile and a wave always goes down well!
 
I say go for it. This winter I have for the first time been renting a 10 acre field across from my own 2 acres. (Bliss- horses think they've died and gone to heaven!!
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). The down side is I have a 5 minute walk down the pavement and have to cross what is the main road through a large busy village (think commutersville)
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. I find that by getting out on to the road first - ie like you are going to lead down the side, and then crossing can be easier. Basically means you are already in site of drivers so the ones from behind slow down, and also you have a 'running start'!!! Hi vis gear with flashing lights and added cycle lights also help. Yes you look a pratt, but a safe one!!
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I used to have to cross a road with a mare that got knowcked by a car to her field. We always stopped the traffic.. Horse and me used to walk out with hi voz, and bridle and gloves and 1 helper used to stop traffic ahead of us, and me and horse walked down the middle of the road, me in the middle, the cars used to look relieved when they sawy he skipping around. Was safer for all concerened as long as you are grateful, smile and wave a lot, they usually ok with it
 
Be very careful, if you inadvertantly caused a collision you could be held liable. Motorists are only obliged to stop for Police, Traffic wardens and yes, a lollipop person, not sure about Eire tho.
 
I don't know about the legalities of it, but we have to cross a fast country road to get to our hacking, and I have no qualms about asking the traffic to stop (the vast majority are going too fast anyway). I wear a flourescent, so they can see me from a long way off and I put a friendly hand up asking them to wait - especially if a number of us are crossing as there isn't room on the side of the road to wait.

More likely though, it's because Twiglet is in 'one of his moods' and I don't want to take the chance of anything coming too close or too fast by him when he's on his toes and on his way home. I've never known a driver complain, and when accompanied by a friendly nod and wave, most people seem fine with it.
 
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