Flashing for Horses
Discussion
Is it ever OK to flash a BiB running with Blues n Twos? This afternoon I was driving around some nasty bends, when there was a woman on a horse. I slowed right down, and she eventually climbed onto the footpath to let me past, thanked me, and I slowly drove past her on the wrong side of the road. Contunued around a nasty left hander, to find some cars coming quickly towards me and the bend. Since this was a 40 limit, and the woman/horse was hidden around the corner I flashed a few times to warn them of a potential obstruction/risk. Closly behind the three cars came a BiB running with full flashing lights and sirens, and I was not sure if I should flash to warn him, or if I would be taken as a berk. In the end I chose to warn, rather than risk the potential accident around the corner.
Now I know that we should all drive within the visibility, and I am not complaining about the horse/rider/cars/speed, etc, but was wondering about the merits of flashing a police car. What would you have done?
Now I know that we should all drive within the visibility, and I am not complaining about the horse/rider/cars/speed, etc, but was wondering about the merits of flashing a police car. What would you have done?
Personally i would of moved to the middle of the road if safe and given him a few good flashes and then i would of pulled back onto my side of the road.
If plod has a problem with that so be it i have more concern for the riders then plod. It would take a monumentally stupid plod to get annoyed with that
If plod has a problem with that so be it i have more concern for the riders then plod. It would take a monumentally stupid plod to get annoyed with that
Difficult one. There have been cases of plod getting silly about this kind of thing, as they would, perhaps understandably, read your lights and movement as chav behaviour- anti police even, the exact opposite of what you intend!
I know the official argument is ' we are highly trained and know how to deal with any situation', but that is rubbish. We are all only as good as our last journey.
A potential compromise would perhaps be sticking your arm out of the window and motioning to slow down, then pointing back towards the hazard.
I know the official argument is ' we are highly trained and know how to deal with any situation', but that is rubbish. We are all only as good as our last journey.
A potential compromise would perhaps be sticking your arm out of the window and motioning to slow down, then pointing back towards the hazard.
jondude said:
A potential compromise would perhaps be sticking your arm out of the window and motioning to slow down, then pointing back towards the hazard.
Didn't think of that one. I was more worried of how the horse would react to the BiB. Was one of those spur of the moment things, but didn't want to be mistaken for some chav having a go at the BiB.EU_Foreigner said:
Bit off-topic, but should horses really be allowed to trot around on the roads nowadays? I know that the riders come out with statements that horses were on the road before cars etc etc, but they do cause major holdups - especially when they ride at 8 am on a busy through road ...
How quaint 
. The road is there for all users. Especially playing children, pedestrians and cyclists, but horses too. Cars are a nuisance that really shouldn't be there but are tolerated as long as they do 20 everywhere and produce zero CO2. Get with the program!I would flash, if time I would use hazards as well and if plenty of time would do the arm waggle thing.
If the Bib really thought that haveing a word with me was more important that attending whatever they were on their way to in the first place I would question if they had made the correct choice to use B&2 in the first place,. something they might not care to have to explain away.
If they were 'training' or otherwise I would doubt they would want to stop me. That said it would almost be worth the shit to see them try to get it through the court if they did try it on.
If the Bib really thought that haveing a word with me was more important that attending whatever they were on their way to in the first place I would question if they had made the correct choice to use B&2 in the first place,. something they might not care to have to explain away.
If they were 'training' or otherwise I would doubt they would want to stop me. That said it would almost be worth the shit to see them try to get it through the court if they did try it on.
Greendubber said:
A flash wouldn't offend me, I'd be very grateful of the warning in all fairness, arm waving would be nice too, however I know there's not always time to put the window down, stick your arm out and wave it about etc.
In cases like this (I live in the dales) I actually worry about other cars before I even see them and put my window down before I even know wether another car is coming then I can stick my arm out if another car approaches.I once came round a bend to find a car broken down in the road mid corner. High hedges and an NSL road which was narrow and busy during rush hour.
A country lane rat run
I really worried about a crash so I rang the police.
I got the driver to slow traffic coming one way into the bend while I slowed traffic the other way.
I saw a panda arriving as I was by the road flagging cars to slow.
I stopped the officer to explain and he asked me if it was me who rang in.
I said yes..
and rather than thank me he gave me the most withering filthy look I have ever experienced.
muppet.
EU_Foreigner said:
I do apologise The indoctrination has not worked too well with me yet. Maybe the required front lobe removal as per Labour's manifest should fix that.
Much better to get with the Pistonheads indoctrination and believe that all other road users are scum who shouldn't/can't afford to be there, getting in the way of our racetrack... The indoctrination has not worked too well with me yet. Maybe the required front lobe removal as per Labour's manifest should fix that. 
You were right the first time, EU, don't let the Mail reading bigots get to you
Mg6b said:
mark69sheer said:
In situations like that to help other motorists I actually open my drivers side window and then put my arm out and do a 'flapping downwards' action to warn the other drivers to slow down.
Must be a bit distracting for your driver if you are in the passenger seat!ajstephe said:
This has happened to me. I was on a blue light run and unbeknown to me, there were about 5 horses and riders walking/trotting along a busy road. Nobody flashed me to let me know they were there even though there was lots of traffic passing me. I came around the corner to find them in front of me. Obviously the sirens are quite loud which startled the horses. I slowed down in tme and managed to switch the sirens and blues off before having to pass slowly. Some of the horses reared up probably due to the sirens. I would much prefer it for MOP's to warn me about any obstructions ahead. We are trained to some extent in hazard perception but any additional help is much appreciated. I for one would not penalise you for flashing at me in fact it's actually nice to have MOP help us on blue light runs
Agreed. Wot 'e said Edited by ajstephe on Monday 3rd December 00:51
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