Share the road: The B.C. government wants you to look out for horses when driving this summer
As summer approaches, the B.C. government is reminding drivers in rural areas to expect more horses on the roads.
"Horses and their riders are recognized road users under the Motor Vehicle Act," the province said in a news release Saturday.
"Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians are expected to share the roadway and give appropriate space to horses."
Some rural roads in the province have signs reminding drivers to look out for horses and share the road, and the provincial Ministry of Transportation recently shared the origin story of one of the signs on social media.
The ministry says it was contacted in 2011 by the Cariboo Country Carriage Club, an organization that trains horse-drawn carriage drivers on roads in and around 70 Mile House.
The club was hoping the ministry would install warning signs letting drivers know that the side roads were being used by carriage drivers.
There's no national standard for what road signs depicting horse-drawn carriages should look like, so the ministry had to design its own.
Today, the signs can be found in 70 Mile House and a number of other areas in the province, including southern Vancouver Island, the Okanagan, Barriere, Kamloops and the Peace region.
"Drivers are advised to watch for these signs, especially at the start of any roadway or along narrow or winding rural roads," the province said, adding that even when signs are not present, motorists should expect "a wide range of road users" and drive accordingly.
The B.C. government offers the following tips for drivers encountering horses:
- Slow down long before getting close
- Pass at a slower speed and give the horse and rider a wide berth (typically a one-car width).
- Brake and accelerate gently to avoid making extra noise or spraying gravel.
- Turn off stereos. Do not honk, yell or rev the engine.
- If travelling by bicycle, scooter or motorcycle, ride quietly and approach single file.
If a horse appears agitated, wait for the rider to get it under control before passing. Once past the horse and rider, accelerate gradually.
The province also recommends that horse riders use caution when travelling on narrow roads or in times of low visibility, wear reflective vests and – when possible – outfit horses with high-visibility leg bands.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.