Laws in WV regarding Equine & Roads/vehicles?

[eventchic33]

Short rant then my question. About 3 weeks ago I was out on a trailride with the neighbor kid, she is 15, on my horses. We live in a weird community all dirt roads buried out in the hills. Most of my neighbors are hippies or moonshiners. Get the picture? Anyway this car comes around the corner, didn't slow down or move over and almost hit my TB, who BTW was on his second EVER trailride. He didn't twitch, such a good boy. I yelled at the guy to slowdown or move over, I don't even remember which. He stops and rolls down his window like he is going to yell back. I decided that this was not the time to get into it with Rude Guy. So we kept riding and I pretty much forgot about it, everyone else is very nice about sharing the road with me. I always stop and stand and make sure my dog is on the side of the road laying down when vehicles are coming, including the 4 wheelers and dirtbikes.

Fast forward to last week. I take my kids up to bus stop, which is a mile from my house, and Rude Guy pulls in behind me. He NEVER has done this, always goes across the road so he can be first back down the hill. Made the hair stand up on the back of my neck. Kids get on bus I turn around and head back to house, driving a little faster than normal(20mph vs 15 mph), I didn't want RG on my but all the way back. I get home and had just walked in side the house when RG drives by. Shouting obscenities at my house about slowing down. Very loudly very vulgar and pretty scary. Now normally I am the psycho one but I wouldn't even shout at a house where I couldn't see a person.

So How do I find the exact laws regarding horses and cars in my state? I live in WV in Hampshire Co. I tried google, tried the local cops who looked at me like I was crazy. I just want to be armed with legal to back me up should this RG try to run me off the road while I am riding.

Thanks for letting me vent!!

[fordtraktor]

Go to the state website and search through the state code. You might also want to check local/county regulations as well.

But I wouldn't hold your breath -- this is not the kind of thing that legislators usually get all worked up about. I doubt very much you are going to find a law that says they have to slow down for your horse. It never hurts to look, though.

[monalisa]

I live in WV and it has been my experience that even if there is a law in the state, they won't enforce it. Remember the slogan, "wild and wonderful?" They like it that way - I have been told by natives that if you live in WV "no one can tell you what to do or not to do near or on your own property." My advice, move. You cannot change the culture of the place.

[eventchic33]

I am most definitely not going to move, we just bought the place. We love it here and bought it just for the reason that we will be left alone and things will be left natural. I have 80 miles of roads and trails to ride on. I just wanted to have proof, if there is any, that I have the right of way on the road if RG tries to run me off. He is the kind of person that will be loud and obnoxious unless I wave the law in his face. All the rest of the hippies and moonshiners don't have a problem with me and my horses and are very happy to slow down or stop, most actually stop to chat. There is also a few that will stop and shut the motors off to let me go by. This is merely one individual who may or may not give me more problems, not someone who makes it worth moving.
FordT --- NY state has very specific laws regarding this, I am from NY. looking to see if there was anything similar.

[NRB]

I'd check online as well. I've found the Va state code online with a handy search engine. WV might have one as well.


http://www.legis.state.wv.us/WVCODE/code.cfm

or just google WV Code

[McVillesMom]

um...if he tries to run you off the road and ends up hurting or even killing you or your horse, the law isn't going to make that go away. I think I'd try to avoid the situation in the first place - but I'm sure you've thought of that. :)

(not trying to be snarky - that's just my first thought about the situation.)

[eventchic33]

Yes I have thought of that MV Mom, I have even changed the areas that I ride to lesson the chance of running into him. However I do want to know what the law is so that I can make sure that I am in the right. IE do I ride as a pedestrian on the right or go against traffic. Do I stop or is he required to stop, move over etc. Does vehicular law apply on private roads? ie the roads are owned by the co-op not the county or state? Do I take this up with my co-op? etc? The guy in charge has cancer and not to likely to do much.

Thanks NRB I will check that out!

[McVillesMom]

:) Thanks for not taking that the wrong way! I hope you find the information you're looking for, and Rude Guy leaves you alone. It sounds like a scary situation, and not one I'd be comfortable in. It's really too bad you have to deal with that - what is wrong with people? :mad:

[Wellspotted]

RG doesn't sound very hippie-like to me. More like a redneck, or just a macho guy who has no respect for women. Some men just don't take being yelled at by women very well. They seem to think we're s'posed to treat them as we were the peasants and they some kind of nobility or something.

I hope you don't have any more encounters with the cave man. I hope he doesn't have any good ol' boy buddies on the police force, in case you do decide to get help.

[JohnDeere]

Sounds like RG woudnt care if the Sheriff himself told him. Its the biggest/baddest wins (aka my SUV/4X4 is bigger than yours). You dont have to live in WV to hear that--its everywhere.

Right dont mean youll live, so be careful out there. People are doing lots of stuff in addition to/instead of driving, and they may not see you till its too late.

[Wellspotted]

John Deere's got a good point. Being right doesn't always mean you're safe.

Be careful, eventchic.

[eventchic33]

I just got off the phone with the WV state troopers and they said that there aren't any specific laws in WV and even if there were they couldn't enforce them as I ride on private roads. All they can do is enforce DWI and Reckless driving violations. So I will be extra carefull as there are no legalities to back me up and I will make sure my beasties have no problem jumping up or down the banks. Luckily they are all very road safe critters and don't spook from the cars, ATVs and dirtbikes that come by on a daily basis. Thanks for everyones concern and I will do my best to stay safe.