Meg Worral- Hart was compelled to write an open letter to motorists after she was involved in a serious collision on January 20th 2018. “I’ve only just stopped crying enough to write this, My absolute worst nightmare happened today”.
Meg was thrown from her horse, landing on the road after being hit at around 45mph by a driver coming up behind them. “I was almost home aboard my pride and joy after a lovely hack. I heard a car approaching from behind far too fast I signalled at them to slow down but they didn’t. As they were almost level with us Dave was spooked and reared up. They were far too close and coming far too fast to avoid us, we did not stand a chance”. Dave, obviously panicked and frightened by the accident took off for home, Thankfully he made it there without sustaining further injury to himself or any other motorists. After veterinary attention, Dave is awaiting results to confirm a suspected fracture in his shoulder, sustained from the impact.
Meg and Dave are understandably shaken by the ordeal, “we’ll heal but I doubt we’ll ever hack again”.
The battle between riders and motorists is one that has potentially fatal consequences, not only for the horses and their mounts, but for the motorists themselves. Horses and riders are not trying to get in the way or to slow drivers down, but ultimately everyone needs to stay safe.
Facebookers shared their feelings on Megs post, with arguements for both sides,
“Not being funny but if your horse is spooked by cars then get it off the roads.. car drivers pay good money to use the roads,, horses dont pay road tax as they belong in fields.. you the horse rider are the 1 at fault”
“ Hate horses on roads!! The animal has evolved to live on grass/fields!”
“Bad drivers are everywhere… I’m an HGV driver and a keen cyclist… and see it all … we are all road users, and should respect each other…”
“Absolutely disgusting behaviour on the drivers behalf. Keep safe horse’s & rider’s everywhere”
“Some drivers are so thoughtless. Its the same for poor bike riders. Cyclists and horses need a decent distance when you pass them. Please everyone be aware of this. ”
Have riders been pressurised into a defensive attitude by a ‘horses shouldn’t be on the road’ ethos?. Cyclists and runners often report of near misses, or actual collisions, when motorists are not giving them the respect and consideration on the road that they are due.
All too often you hear of accidents happening, Meg and her horse Dave, thankfully walked away from this incident. Motorists must acknowledge that Horses are not just an inconvenience on the road, “Next time you see a horse and rider on the road please think. There is a person aboard that horse who has a family and is cared about”.
The message is a sinister one, “You have to slow down or people are going to die”
Photo credit to Meg Worrell-Hart
