POLITE NOTICE: You're Nicked

[Anquetil]

I did a BikeSafe course at North Wales Police Headquarters four years ago. During the classroom session in the morning the subject of these 'Polite Notice', Hi-Viz vests was discussed. The person running the course, who had been an advanced Police driver and motorcyclist for many years, was of the opinion that wearing such a vest was very close to impersonating a Police Officer and should not be allowed.

[Grahamm]

I am more concerned with the idiot pulling out in front of me who did not see me, so fake Police on the BACK wont help that. And the fake ploice is more likely to antagonise the driver behind you, like you said he is only 6 feet from your rear wheel so he has already established that he is a nob 

If you have to brake because of someone pulling out in front of you, you don't want to get some idiot slamming into the rear of them, so if you can deter them from doing so in the first place, that's a positive in my book.

[Grahamm]

If impersonating a Policeman is the only way to ensure safety then it's time to call it a day and pack-up riding.

Yawn. The Police said, long ago, that it's not "Impersonating a Policeman".

[darrsi]

:lol

[YamFazFan]

[quote author=YamFazFan link=topic=23761.msg276252#msg276252 date=1520062878]
If impersonating a Policeman is the only way to ensure safety then it's time to call it a day and pack-up riding.

Yawn. The Police said, long ago, that it's not "Impersonating a Policeman".
[/quote]

OK they don't consider that sufficient to prosecute.

The twats that wear them sure want you to believe they are a copper from a distance though.

The people that wear these things are only interested in boosting their own self-importance.

In another era they'd be Chief Warden Hodges out of Dad's Army.

[YamFazFan]

:lol

I bet that's sufficient to prosecute.

[YamFazFan]

[quote author=fazersharp link=topic=23761.msg276239#msg276239 date=1520018227]
I don't see how it could possibly help safety in any way because POLITE is written on back of the vest 

You've never had a motorist sitting six feet off your rear wheel??
[/quote]

But when they'd got within six feet they would have realised it reads 'POLITE' and that the rider was a 'PILLOCK'

[NorthWestern]

I have more confidence in my lights, especially my brake lights to be honest

[tommyardin]

:lol

Come on darrsi, now your taliking fairy tales, who the foc has heard of a POLITE policeman.  :lol

[darrsi]

[quote author=darrsi link=topic=23761.msg276279#msg276279 date=1520091282]
:lol

Come on darrsi, now your taliking fairy tales, who the foc has heard of a POLITE policeman.  :lol
[/quote]


He probably is from a distance  :lol

[fazersharp]

[quote author=tommyardin link=topic=23761.msg276296#msg276296 date=1520109393]
[quote author=darrsi link=topic=23761.msg276279#msg276279 date=1520091282]
:lol

Come on darrsi, now your taliking fairy tales, who the foc has heard of a POLITE policeman.  :lol
[/quote]


He probably is from a distance  :lol
[/quote]
Well that depends on whether or not he has a speed gun in his hands ----------- thats not very Polite from a distance

[darrsi]

[quote author=darrsi link=topic=23761.msg276297#msg276297 date=1520111235]
[quote author=tommyardin link=topic=23761.msg276296#msg276296 date=1520109393]
[quote author=darrsi link=topic=23761.msg276279#msg276279 date=1520091282]
:lol

Come on darrsi, now your taliking fairy tales, who the foc has heard of a POLITE policeman.  :lol
[/quote]


He probably is from a distance  :lol
[/quote]
Well that depends on whether or not he has a speed gun in his hands ----------- thats not very Polite from a distance
[/quote]


Yeah, bad subject for me, got pulled twice in exactly the same spot.

[Millietant]

Unfortunately, I've worked in the vehicle graphics industry in the past, doing lots for Police and Emergency Services vehicles. The main coverall for reflective colours etc sits under the Vehicle Lighting Regulations.

In there, there are the rules about reflective yellows, blues and lighting colours etc. They're very clear that only emergency service vehicles can use the designated schemes & colours for front and rear graphics and blue lights, but there is an option for an approved special "dispensation" that can be applied for and received in writing (for private ambulances, blood bikes etc).

Enforcing the Vehicle Lighting Regs seems very low on the Police priority list.

We had customers ordering Police style graphics packages in the mistaken belief that if they didn't have the word "Police" on the car, they weren't breaking the law. Under our ISO QA schemes, we had to record our actions when anyone asked us to design or supply schemes that were illegal - our normal response was to point out the illegality and confirm that we couldn't supply. This usually resulted in buyers telling us that we were being unhelpful and they went to the less "reputable" on line suppliers who would do anything for money.

I'd have always liked to have helped, but we supplied many of the UK's Police forces and Ambulance/Fire services etc - and to maintain our accreditation we had to be lillywhite about our quality systems and compliance, so we just couldn't do it.

Unfortunately, some of our competitors were less "honest" and lots of bikes/cars are now running around with "illegal" reflective graphics (imitating Emergency Services vehicles) - and I must say, I'm glad when the "imposters" get pulled.

We need to make sure people always pull over for Emergency vehicles and don't think "here's just another w*anker with fake lights etc" and fail to let the, through.

One day, an ambulance or a police car could save my (or family/friends) life, so I'm all for making sure they're never mistaken.

Hi Viz clothing though - I'm all for it ?

[focced_off]

I am more concerned with the idiot pulling out in front of me who did not see me, so fake Police on the BACK wont help that. And the fake ploice is more likely to antagonise the driver behind you, like you said he is only 6 feet from your rear wheel so he has already established that he is a nob

Which is what happened to me - although she was approaching in the opposite direction in her car (so she had plenty of time to see me coming along the road ahead of her), but then she makes a sudden right turn, across my side of the road, to get into a side road - she drove straight at me (like I was invisible)! I still have visions of the front end of her car almost on me, a fraction before impact (MY side of the road) -  then the next, a big smash and being laid on the floor with my bike on-top of me.

She did state right after the accident, she didn't see me! The concerning fact is there was nothing I could have done to avoid the impact - fortunately it was a residential location, so speeds were beneath 30mph.

I'd also like to state the justice system is A JOKE!!!! She was forced to do a 1 day driver awareness course - end of story. No points on her license, not charged with dangerous driving or indue care & attention (although the Police officer at the scene said she WOULD likely be - but wasnt). She doesn't even need to notify her insurance company she had to attend the course! She only has a fault claim on her insurance policy (as responsible). While MY bike (my mode of transport) gets written off plus have to deal with months of painful recovery.

I believe a car taking out a motorcycle should be more greatly punished, as the injuries the Biker sustains are usually much greater than a "bump" between 2 cars (with no injury to the occupants).

[steve 10562cc]

I'd be happy if they just treated us the same as all other road users.