Legality of horse and traps on roads.

Mr_Hat

There is a guy, going around the reads near my house in a horse and trap. Last night there were two of them and I got stuck behind them on some winding roads for 15 minutes. What is the legality of the Horses and Traps on the road. I'm not so much bothered about being stuck behind them. But the horses would suddenly stop. The trap also had no lights, or reflective strip. Not only that but when the two riders decide to exit on to another road. They made no attempt at any type of hand signal indicating it. Are they allowed on roads, and if so is are they required to signal and have strips, lights etc on the trap?

I posted a similar question in the motors forum and it decended into a thread on travllers. I'd like to be clear this guy is not a itinerant. I understand there may be some legislation in place what are the penalities?

Mr_Hat

Also if his horse fouls the road. Is he under obligation to clean it up.

0O7

Its usually town / city bylaws that can regulate areas where horse & traps are allowed... you should contact the council 1st and make them aware of your situation.
If there are areas (usually entire towns) where it is prohibited then it is up to the guards to enforce it.

If they are using them dangerously (in prohibited areas or not) then it becomes and offence under the road traffic Act. (or in some cases an offence of endangerment under the non fatal offences againest the person act (sounds extreme (but this would usually be in situations where children etc are on the trap)) - i saw one before with a man holding a child which was no more than 3 years of age.

They do not need reflective strips etc, this would come under Road Traffic (Construction, equipment and use of vehicles) regulations 1963. This only applies to mechanically propelled vehicles. not animal drawn vehicles.

Section 30 of the Road Traffic (Lighting of vehichles) regualtions 1963 covers animinal drawn vehicles. and Yes lights are required.

30. (1) Every animal-drawn vehicle (or vehicle constructed or adapted for use as an animal-drawn vehicle) shall, while used in a public place during lighting-up hours, be equipped with and show duly lit—
(a) (i) one lamp, as near as possible to the right side of the vehicle, showing to the front a white or yellow light visible for a reasonable distance,
(ii) one lamp, to the right of the centre line of the vehicle and as near as possible to the side, showing a red light to the rear visible for a reasonable distance, and
(b) while carrying a load (other than loose agricultura1 produce not baled or crated) projecting more than 3 feet and 6 inches to the rear of the vehicle, one lamp, showing a red light to the rear visible for a reason able distance, and so fitted that no part of the load projects more than 3 feet and 6 inches to the rear of that lamp.
(2) Where an animal-drawn vehicle with another vehicle attached (hereinafter in this sub-article referred to as the second vehicle) is used in a public place during lighting-up hours, the provisions of sub-article (1) of this article shall apply severally to the vehicle and the second vehicle subject, in a case where the distance between the vehicles is less than 5 feet, to the following modifications:
(a) the requirement as to showing a white or yellow light to the front shall not apply to the second vehicle;
(b) the requirement as to showing a red light to the rear shall not apply to the vehicle drawing the second vehicle.
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of article 7 of these Regulations the lamps referred to at paragraph (a) of sub-article (1) of this article shall not be combined where the vehicle exceeds 20 feet in length.


http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1963/en/si/0189.html
have a read of Section 30. Hope this helps.

Mr_Hat

Thanks