Football car flags scare horses ....
Discussion
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/ha
Football car flags scare horses
World Cup fans flying England flags on their cars have been urged to consider animals and other road users.
The warning comes after police in Hampshire received reports from horse owners saying the flapping banners startle some animals.
Motorists are also warned they could face assault charges if an unsecured flag flies off and injures a cyclist or pedestrian.
Many drivers are displaying flags in the run up to the football tournament.
I think they're being a little bit petty
Tim Murray, South Coast England Fans
Pc Derek Grist, equine liaison officer, said: "It is commendable the nation is getting behind their football team but I do have concerns that motorists may cause an animal to bolt and possibly cause injury to itself, its rider or innocent passers-by.
"We are not trying to be killjoys, all we ask for is a little bit of consideration."
But Tim Murray of South Coast England Fans told the BBC News website he had never seen a flag fall off.
He added: "I can see the issue about them being securely fixed is a sensible one.
"But I think they're being a little bit petty and perhaps time could be directed towards things which are more serious, for example true criminals."
Football car flags scare horses
World Cup fans flying England flags on their cars have been urged to consider animals and other road users.
The warning comes after police in Hampshire received reports from horse owners saying the flapping banners startle some animals.
Motorists are also warned they could face assault charges if an unsecured flag flies off and injures a cyclist or pedestrian.
Many drivers are displaying flags in the run up to the football tournament.
I think they're being a little bit petty
Tim Murray, South Coast England Fans
Pc Derek Grist, equine liaison officer, said: "It is commendable the nation is getting behind their football team but I do have concerns that motorists may cause an animal to bolt and possibly cause injury to itself, its rider or innocent passers-by.
"We are not trying to be killjoys, all we ask for is a little bit of consideration."
But Tim Murray of South Coast England Fans told the BBC News website he had never seen a flag fall off.
He added: "I can see the issue about them being securely fixed is a sensible one.
"But I think they're being a little bit petty and perhaps time could be directed towards things which are more serious, for example true criminals."
dogwatch said:
So if I understand this correctly, if a wheel, mirror or something comes off and hits a pedestrian that's OK by the BiB. If an England flag flies off (and it too must have been secured to the car somehow) and hits a pedestrian, that's an assault. Hmmm
You don't understand this correctly, if a wheel comes off your car and causes accident or injury, you'd better be well insured, and you could be done for driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition too. I've see several cars stopped in stupid places on bends etc over the last few weeks with numbskulls fiddling with insecure flag clips in windows....
>> Edited by tallbloke on Thursday 1st June 09:03
dogwatch said:Well as it's an England flag, I'd call it racially motivated assault...
So if I understand this correctly, if a wheel, mirror or something comes off and hits a pedestrian that's OK by the BiB. If an England flag flies off (and it too must have been secured to the car somehow) and hits a pedestrian, that's an assault. Hmmm
I'm not anti-horse but seriously, if they can be made to bolt by a small flag are they safe to be on the road?
Police horses are trained to be unbothered by their surroundings but I worry about ordinary horses if something this small can really scare them that much. Or is the policeman just talking out of his posterior?
Police horses are trained to be unbothered by their surroundings but I worry about ordinary horses if something this small can really scare them that much. Or is the policeman just talking out of his posterior?
thanuk said:
I'm not anti-horse but seriously, if they can be made to bolt by a small flag are they safe to be on the road?
Police horses are trained to be unbothered by their surroundings but I worry about ordinary horses if something this small can really scare them that much. Or is the policeman just talking out of his posterior?
I think it's the flappy buzzy noise as much as anything, but yes, horses can be spooked by flickery buzzy things.
Yet more bollox!
My girlfriend has a horse and she also has lots of friends with horses and they *may* get scared by a flag but then her horse is also scared of black cars, vw beetles, big puddles (this one makes me laugh), people wearing high vis jackets and many other things! A lot of her other friends horses also have bizzare fears to so I don't think the police can really identify flags as a particular trigger. Her horse doesn't seem particulary bothered by my England flag.
My girlfriend has a horse and she also has lots of friends with horses and they *may* get scared by a flag but then her horse is also scared of black cars, vw beetles, big puddles (this one makes me laugh), people wearing high vis jackets and many other things! A lot of her other friends horses also have bizzare fears to so I don't think the police can really identify flags as a particular trigger. Her horse doesn't seem particulary bothered by my England flag.
The Wiz said:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/ha
But Tim Murray of South Coast England Fans told the BBC News website he had never seen a flag fall off.
I saw one fall off in a line of traffic on the A1 near Alnwick the other day. I didn't have to swerve too far to run over it
(another danger to road safety ?!) 
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