By BRIDGET COOK
THE City of Casey has called for the safety of horse riders to be taken into consideration by VicRoads when setting roads speed limits.
Casey mayor Geoff Ablett has asked for the council to write to the State Government and VicRoads, urging them to consider how roads are used by horse riders, when setting speed limits.
Cr Ablett also wants the use of roads by horse riders in Casey to become part of the State-wide Speed Zone Guidelines, and both the council and the Casey Equestrian Reference Committee be consulted on setting speed limits.
The call came after local residents along Browns Road, in Cranbourne South, raised concerns about the 80km/h speed limit being too fast for a number of factors, including that a lot of riders use that stretch.
The council reviewed the speed zone, in consultation with Victoria Police and VicRoads, and found that the speed limit was appropriate.
“Horses are not taken into consideration when setting the speed limits anywhere in Victoria, and that’s worrying to me,” Cr Ablett said.
“Particularly in Casey, that’s hundreds of riders, young and old, whose safety is not considered.
“Roads used by a lot of horses, need to have the factor taken into consideration.
“This is particularly relevant on roads surrounding popular trail ride tracks and riding clubs.”
Cr Ablett said the community also needed to be educated on how to drive safely with horses around.
“So many drivers don’t slow down when they fly past horse riders and don’t realise how easily horses can be spooked,” he said.
“An educational pamphlet would be ideal to let people know to slow down around horses and the correct action to take.
“Horses are unpredictable, and some people don’t realise that.”
Tooradin horse rider Tesse Cook said riding on the roads around Tooradin could be dangerous at times.
“Most of the roads near my house are 80 to 100km/h, so when drivers don’t slow down it can be quite scary not knowing how your horse will react,” she said.
“We have a great horse riding estate in Tooradin and some good tracks to ride on, and we shouldn’t be put off from using them because of motorists.”
