Vulnerable User (Bike, Equestrian, and Pedestrian) Laws Are Updated!
Horses now fall under the title of “Vulnerable Users.” This also includes horse drawn vehicles.
Below is an update as of July 1, 2016.
The Vermont Statutes Online
The statutes were updated in November, 2018, and contain all actions of the
2018 legislative session.
Title 23 : Motor Vehicles
Chapter 013 : Operation Of Vehicle
Subchapter 011 : Miscellaneous Rules
(Cite as: 23 V.S.A. § 1127)
§ 1127. Control in presence of animals
(a) Whenever upon a public highway and approaching a vehicle drawn by a draft animal, an animal upon which a person is riding, or animals being herded, the operator of a motor vehicle shall operate the vehicle in such a manner as to exercise every reasonable precaution to prevent the frightening of any animal and to ensure the safety and protection of the animal and the person riding, driving, or herding.
(b) The operator of a motor vehicle shall yield to any animals being herded on or across a highway. (Added 1971, No. 258 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. March 1, 1973; amended 1989, No. 55; 2009, No. 114 (Adj. Sess.), § 5.)
(Cite as: 12 V.S.A. § 5793)
§ 5793. Liability limited
(a) Land. An owner shall not be liable for property damage or personal injury sustained by a person who, without consideration, enters or goes upon the owner’s land for a recreational use unless the damage or injury is the result of the willful or wanton misconduct of the owner.
(b) Equipment, fixtures, machinery, or personal property.
(1) Unless the damage or injury is the result of the willful or wanton misconduct of the owner, an owner shall not be liable for property damage or personal injury sustained by a person who, without consideration and without actual permission of the owner, enters or goes upon the owner’s land for a recreational use and proceeds to enter upon or use:
(A) equipment, machinery, or personal property; or
(B) structures or fixtures not described in subdivision 5792(2)(A)(iii) or (iv) of this title.
(2) Permission to enter or go upon an owner’s land shall not, by itself, include permission to enter or go upon structures or to go upon or use equipment, fixtures, machinery, or personal property.
(c) Posting. An owner may post a sign warning against dangers on the owner’s land or water. An owner who posts a sign pursuant to this subsection shall not be liable for any damage or injury allegedly arising out of the posting unless the damage or injury is the result of the willful or wanton misconduct of the owner. (Added 1997, No. 110 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2017, No. 136 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 21, 2018.)