Well the Hi Viz didn’t work this morning

[Kenzo]

Certainly didn’t seem to slow down the ignorant bar steward of a tractor driver that I had the unfortunate pleasure of meeting, I wouldn’t mind but I was vizzed up to the eye balls in my polite notice tabard and exercise sheet as he came towards me on the main road in the village but oh no no….10 seconds of his time to just to slow down as he came thundering towards to pass me with his great big monster tracker and noisy trailer bouncing around merrily on the back was too much to ask, I mean it’s like asking for blood, so my horse bolted sideways into someone’s garden and nearly collided with their lovely car.

Yeah thanks mate, really appreciated that, I’d like to think you could try and appreciate the all the hard work that goes into getting a horse used to heavy traffic on the roads, the time, the patience, the balls you put on the line but I guess you’d struggle to register all that in that little Birds Eye pea sized brain that you that obviously must have!!!!!

*and breaths*

Now I shall be mostly spending my time trying to get my horse used to tractors again or avoiding them, hopefully not the latter, shouldn’t be too much of a problem seen as I meet at least too nearly every time I ride, hmmm should be fun.

Just takes one moron to set you back years.

Also did you know that speed limits don't apply if it's before 8am in the morning, nope, I didn't neither, another testicle brain passed me on a 40mph road doing about 70 (passed me in my car and a few others in front), it was then when I thought hmmm maybe not such a good idea riding out this morning.

I’m annoyed, in case you hadn’t guessed, needed to vent.

 

[Elbie]

Do you know the guy or was it just a random tractor passing?

Some people are total morons and seem to think they are an exception to having to use common sense.

 

[Kenzo]

Do you know the guy or was it just a random tractor passing?

Some people are total morons and seem to think they are an exception to having to use common sense.

No but it will be a local, couldn’t make out his face I’m afraid as it had that dark glass in the cab, some bloke in a baseball cap is all I could make out.

 

[caterpillar]

On the other hand the tractor driver may have mis read your jacket for police and thought because it was a police horse it would be bombproof in traffic.

I'd have also thought before 8am would be a rather busy time to hack out!!

 

[Orangehorse]

There was a recent good result when someone reported a driver to the Police. You should report to the Police if you were frightened and also to the BHS in the Accident "near miss" section.

The tractor driver is being a complete moron, there is no excuse at all. (Spoken by a farmer's wife!)

 

[OWLIE185]

Having spent may years riding in central London traffic and getting the benefit of advice from mounted police officers I try to take command of the situation.

When riding out I always wear a long sleeved Hi-Viz jacket. This ensures that other road users can clearly see my hand signals.

If anyone is approaching me too fast or too close from the front or behind I simply point at them for 3 seconds and then hold the palm of my hand up at them if I want them to stop or point to the other side of the road if I want them to pass wider.

As regards your problem with the tractor driver it should not be too difficult to identify if it was a local farmer or contractor and have a quiet word to them.

As regards inconsiderate motorists then remember the number plate and go in and report it to your local police station. Ask for an incident number to ensure it is logged in to the system. The cars record can then be flagged so that if it is read by the automatic number plate recognition system within a patrol they can keep that extra close eye on it.

 

[Kenzo]

On the other hand the tractor driver may have mis read your jacket for police and thought because it was a police horse it would be bombproof in traffic.

I'd have also thought before 8am would be a rather busy time to hack out!!

My tabard doesn't say anything on the front and I doubt they would of mistaken me for a police horse neither.

As for the time it's no more busy than hacking out at 5:30, 6:60pm or any time for that matter during the weekend, I hack through a village not a small town, it’s not a place where loads of commuters come through, it’s just village traffic, we don’t even have a bus service anymore.

 

[Ponyfeet]

Having spent may years riding in central London traffic and getting the benefit of advice from mounted police officers I try to take command of the situation.

When riding out I always wear a long sleeved Hi-Viz jacket. This ensures that other road users can clearly see my hand signals.

If anyone is approaching me too fast or too close from the front or behind I simply point at them for 3 seconds and then hold the palm of my hand up at them if I want them to stop or point to the other side of the road if I want them to pass wider.

Really good tips!

 

[Kenzo]

Having spent may years riding in central London traffic and getting the benefit of advice from mounted police officers I try to take command of the situation.

When riding out I always wear a long sleeved Hi-Viz jacket. This ensures that other road users can clearly see my hand signals.

If anyone is approaching me too fast or too close from the front or behind I simply point at them for 3 seconds and then hold the palm of my hand up at them if I want them to stop or point to the other side of the road if I want them to pass wider.

.

Yes I have used my hand to politely signal them to slow down before, last time I did it the tractor driver slowed down, shook his head and waived his hands as if to say for goodness sake, like I was holding him up , maybe it was the same driver, who knows, most tractor drivers I know off in the village are very considerate.

 

[Tinsel Trouble]

If anyone is approaching me too fast or too close from the front or behind I simply point at them for 3 seconds and then hold the palm of my hand up at them if I want them to stop or point to the other side of the road if I want them to pass wider.

Can I be a real stick in the mud and say- Directing the traffic from your horse will just p's off othe road users unless you believe you are in real danger, or you can see a hazard up ahead they are oblivious to- there's a (sanctimonious) girl in the village who started doing this to ALL traffic- and there's now a group of drivers who are angry at all us riders and buzz passed too close and too fast- it's far more effective to thank everyone who drives passed you and appears to have made even a modicum of effort to accommodate you on the roads.

 

[Kenzo]

Can I be a real stick in the mud and say- Directing the traffic from your horse will just p's off othe road users unless you believe you are in real danger, or you can see a hazard up ahead they are oblivious to- there's a (sanctimonious) girl in the village who started doing this to ALL traffic- and there's now a group of drivers who are angry at all us riders and buzz passed too close and too fast- it's far more effective to thank everyone who drives passed you and appears to have made even a modicum of effort to accommodate you on the roads.

Not a stick in the mud, I know what mean.

But it works both ways though, for example if I’m riding over the brow of the hill of the canal bridge where there is a tight bend after it, it’s hard for drivers to see if it’s ok for them to pass so I do politely wave them past (with a smile byw) to let them know that they don’t have to wait behind (as I don’t like holding folk up either, last thing I want to do is annoy drivers) to let them know it’s safe to pass due to no oncoming traffic, all the drivers always smile and say thank you.

 

[Ranyhyn]

I would be really careful of waving drivers past. A girl I used to ride with did that and the guy started over taking her and another car came out of nowhere *fast* and they almost collided.
The guy put all the blame onto the rider for waving him past - even though I'm sure the official line on it would be it's the drivers responsibility to check the road etc etc still, not a nice situation to be in, so just be careful.

I'd find out who he was if I were you and put the word about to other riders, nothing worse than bad publicity in the farming world!

 

[Tinsel Trouble]

It's true- If wave someone out, either another car, pedestrian or road user you automatically become liable in the event of an accident. My friend failed his driving test for signalling an old lady accross a pedestrian crossing in the pouring rain!!

 

[Kenzo]

I would be really careful of waving drivers past. A girl I used to ride with did that and the guy started over taking her and another car came out of nowhere *fast* and they almost collided.
The guy put all the blame onto the rider for waving him past - even though I'm sure the official line on it would be it's the drivers responsibility to check the road etc etc still, not a nice situation to be in, so just be careful.

I'd find out who he was if I were you and put the word about to other riders, nothing worse than bad publicity in the farming world!

Yes I know, suppose you’d have to see the area which I’m referring to, there is no way you could not see another car coming the other way if you are in a position to waive them past but I see the point your making.

 

[Ranyhyn]

It's true- If wave someone out, either another car, pedestrian or road user you automatically become liable in the event of an accident. My friend failed his driving test for signalling an old lady accross a pedestrian crossing in the pouring rain!!

Well that adds a whole other spin on my story. I never wave people out, I let them decide themselves for that very reason! It can seem unhelpful but we live in this crazy claim society now don't we...

 

[ReefingsDad]

You DON'T automatically accept liability if you wave somebody past. Whilst on the road, the onus is always on the driver to assess the situation, decide what's safe to do and then take the appropriate action. A gesture from another road user can help them make that decision, but it's ultimately their own choice.

In the real world, we need to work together to make using the roads as pleasant (or at least less UNpleasant) as possible. If this means using your better vantage point to help somebody on their way, then do it. Just make sure it's safe first.

The driving test fail is an interesting one, and it would be good to get the full story. If the old lady was waiting at a zebra crossing, then she had priority and the driver was right to stop. If it was a pelican or other light-controlled crossing and the lights were green, then the driver was wrong to stop as they had priority and may have put other drivers behind them in danger. Indicating for pedestrians to cross is also frowned upon for the same reason - you may have stopped, but what about other cars around you who aren't expecting people to step off the kerb.

Sorry for the dry analysis. I work in road safety and am very popular at parties.

 

[JingleTingle]

Sorry for the dry analysis. I work in road safety and am very popular at parties

ROFL!!!