Editorial: Saddle up to Ride for Road Safety

Rachel Wise. Communities editor at Hawke's Bay Today. Staff. 31 March 2016 Hawke's Bay Today Photograph by Paul Taylor HBG 25Feb17 - HBG 04Mar17 - HBG 18Mar17 - HBG 25Mar17 - HBG 0

Last August Newshub journalist Karen Rutherford was nearly killed when the horse she was riding on a roadside was hit by a car.

The horse - Curious George - died at the scene, his head cradled by Karen's 13-year-old daughter Ella who had been riding with her mum.

Karen was seriously injured.

Karen and Ella were doing everything right - they were in single file, on safe horses. They were wearing high visibility gear and helmets.

The driver was found guilty of careless driving causing injury, the judge calling it the "most serious example of careless driving possible".

As a response, horse riders nationwide will Ride For Road Safety at 10am this Saturday.

In Hawke's Bay, riders will take to State Highway 2, Waipukurau, riding along the town's main street, to make the point that all road users need to be allowed for, need to be safe.
As a rider I have had run-ins with road traffic.

I have been passed by trucks, so closely that they touched my jacket. My horse was hit by a trailer, towed by a thoughtless, careless motorist. Drivers toot, rev their engines, think scaring a horse is funny.

As a country with strong rural roots, it seems odd people can be so ignorant.

Hawke's Bay is home to hundreds of horse riders. One Hawke's Bay equestrian Facebook site alone has 1800 members.

On Saturday I suspect fewer than a dozen will ride.

Why? Because we are now afraid to ride on the roads. I know I am.
I'll be there though, and hoping to make a difference.