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
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they're now named Scouting America
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.