Driving Around Horses |
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Laura Hartson
Articlesbase
July 14, 2011
Author: Laura Hartson
It's not only drivers and bikers on the roads in the UK; our roads are also there for horses, and both have the right to use the roads. But drivers are often guilty of not driving with due care and attention around horses, and therefore one horse rider is killed in a year and around twenty one injured in accidents where the horse has become spooked. They are easily spooked by the sound of cars, and can panic when cars drive past them too quickly.
If you are driving on country roads and are concerned about horses and riders then consider slowing down and being ready to stop if you see a horse. Look out for riders signals, as they will wave you on if it is safe to pass, and can predict the moods of their horses. Don't honk your horn to make the riders aware of you or rev the engine; they will be able to hear you and this will spook the animal and put the rider in danger. When you do pass, give the rider a lot of room and drive slowly. Don't accelerate when you are past the as you will still be in their vision and could upset them.
If you are riding a horse then make sure that you are doing everything you can to be seen by drivers. Wear reflective clothes so that you can be seen, and put some sort of reflective cloth on the horse to ensure that you are seen. If the horse isn't used to roads then ask another rider to ride with you; the calm of the other horse will reduce the animal from panicking. If you are riding two abreast then move into single file when it is safe for the motorist to overtake, and never ride more than two abreast or in groups of more than eight on the roads. As the horses might spook each other and cause an accident.
If you are driving on the roads in the UK then make sure that you have Online Car Insurance to save you money and make sure that you are protected in the case of an accident.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/driving-around-horses-5026037.html
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