Car Drivers Opinions Of The "POLITE" Hi Viz

AprilBlossom said:
I didn't think the ES thing sounded plausible either but I prefer te idea to just people wanting to show off that they've managed to reproduce...!
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I have heard the emergency services explaination too, although I heard that it was from the days before child seats when a baby might be thrown clear or under a seat etc. But as you say the fact people don't remove them, and the fact that there are so many jokey versions means that the emergency services would be unlikely to take any notice, especially not now that baby seats are a legal requirement.
 
GiddyUpGirl said:
I have a 'Please pass wide and slow thankyou' vest. Plus my horse is black and without a vest frankly you wouldn't see us.
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I had one of these, but it was pointed out by other half that with my hair down my back in a ponytail (as is usual) all you can see is 'WIDE AND SLOW'.....doesn't do much for my or the horse's self esteem!
 
I'm kind of tempted to join and point out the fact that those idiots on that form who drive cars probably also cross roads on a daily basis, technically it's the same thing ¬.¬, are they really that dumb. Some of the responses are hilarious though xD.
 
Hippona said:
I find that prancing sideways down the road ( arab) always gets a wider berth than plodding sedately next to the kerb ( highland).....

I do wear a 'polite' vest....I am quite obviously NOT the rozzers but I find it works really well and I get loads of nods and smiles.....but then again I make an effort to thank everyone who passes me- they're more likely to slow down next time, even if it isn't for me......
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Likewise - I concur! (It would be hard to mistake my Chestnut Arab for a police horse) and if it might make drivers pay more attention and slow down, then it is worth it ! It could save my life ......
 
I've stopped wearing my polite vest after various incidents including one where my friend and I were pursued by an idiot who thought it was funny to terrify our horses, passing close and fast. As a result my boy, and more to the point me (catch 22 with neither of us projecting confidence) got extra nervous and 18months later, wearing a plain hi viz and continuing to thank drivers who slow down profusely we are just getting our confidence back. These idiots on these sites who issue such threats need reporting before they cause a serious accident. We also need a fresh ad campaign to re-educate the ignorant few about how to pass horses safely! I ride with my 10 year old daughter and it's like Russian roulette out there, we never know who's coming around the next corner :(
 
Wow that thread is Er, special.

I don't like polite. I never have and I'm not sure why. I think it makes us look arrogant or something and the effect was bound to wear off eventually.

I don't know what's going on with it these days but I'll stick to my building site vest and selected pink accessories!
 
Well some good points made on that forum. Good to see the other side.

Hi viz is here to stay no matter who you buy it from and both riders and drivers have a responsibility.
 
I once stuck an L plate to the back of my coat when taking an unpredictable youngster out - most drivers slowed down and smiled at that. Some asked if it was the horse or the rider that was learning.
 
lastchancer said:
I once stuck an L plate to the back of my coat when taking an unpredictable youngster out - most drivers slowed down and smiled at that. Some asked if it was the horse or the rider that was learning.
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I've saw one in a shop a while back; big L plate with 'Young Horse' written underneath. I think they're a fab idea :)
 
lastchancer said:
I once stuck an L plate to the back of my coat when taking an unpredictable youngster out - most drivers slowed down and smiled at that. Some asked if it was the horse or the rider that was learning.
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I love that idea. Must remember it for whenever I find myself with a young horse again.
 
I was out riding a few years back wearing a high vis jacket ( not the polite range) and black waterproofs on my 15 hands black section D when I was stopped by a man trying to report someone trying to steel the gates off his drive. When I pulled a confused face he said you are a police officer? Urmm no!
 
Frozen Hoof Boots said:
I deeply dislike the POLITE hi-viz, plus they're not up to standard of other hi-viz quality vests.
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That's a fair criticism.

It worries me why anyone would try to impersonate the police.
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Why do you think anyone is trying to impersonate the police? Several people here who wear a POLITE tabard have said explicitly that isn't their intention.

I think people should use whatever works - POLITE or not.
 
Probably what is more important is the statement by the Police.

(The following extract is from a British Horse Society press release which also contains responses from two manufacturers - see the full press release at: http://www.bhs.org.uk/our-charity/pr...police-uniform

"Equine clothing that closely resembles Police uniform

To The British Horse Society:

I write as the national lead for mounted policing within the United Kingdom in order to clarify the position with regard to equine clothing that closely resembles police uniform. As an influential and respected publication serving the equestrian community, I thought it might be helpful if I set out the legal position from a policing perspective to assist your readers and prevent any misunderstanding.

Over recent months a number of examples of high visibility equine apparel have been brought to my attention. These articles have caused concern to the police on the grounds that individuals wearing them are likely to be mistaken for being a police officer due to the design closely resembling police uniform. I have therefore sought advice on the legality of these designs, which has identified the following as the three main characteristics of police high visibility uniform:

Wording – police high visibility clothing typically has POLICE printed as a contrasting block of letters prominently displayed to the rear and/or front.

Colour – police high visibility uniform is universally yellow.

Chequered Banding – police high visibility clothing commonly uses blue/silver chequered banding, this colour being standardised by international convention.

The conclusion of these enquiries is that any item of clothing that has been manufactured to match these characteristics of police uniform is at risk of contravening legislation, namely Section 90 Police Act 1996. The ultimate decision about the legitimacy of any individual product is yet to be defined conclusively by any court, but the legal standard as enacted is an objective measure of whether the clothing worn by an individual, and/or their horse, would give the impression that that rider is a police officer when they are not. As such, any wording displayed on clothing which is similar in appearance to ‘POLICE’ (i.e. in a shape, format or font used on police uniform), even if is spelt differently, would leave the wearer at risk of breaching the law, particularly if the other characteristics are present.

It is apparent that this issue has been subject to considerable debate through equine forums and I wish therefore to clarify the position from the police’s perspective for your readers so that they appreciate the risks associated with wearing such products and/or designs. I would also like to take this opportunity to confirm that whilst the police would support any work to make the roads safer, we do not endorse or recommend any specific high visibility products or manufacturer, nor have we done so.

Yours faithfully,
Rod Hansen, Assistant Chief Constable, ACPO Lead for Mounted Policing"
 
lachlanandmarcus said:
The reason the Polite tabards work, is because they trick the driver into thinking you are a mounted police rider, or might be.

So I have no doubt they make car drivers approach much more slowly. Which is a (at least short term) gain.

However, because it essentially relies on tricking the driver, and because on passing the horse the driver will be able to see the real wording and will realise they have been tricked, I do have a big concern that it will make drivers more anti horses on the roads, simply because being tricked makes us humans cross, we dont like being made to feel foolish.

They should, of course, be driving at the correct speed anyway, but thats another matter.

For this reason I would not wear one of these tabards. I do think at some point a rider is going to have a nasty confrontation with a car driver who will get aggressive in an argument about whether the jacket is police approved and whether they are impersonation a police officer. I know the official line is that they arent but in practice.....There is a reason why you are not allowed to have red and blue lights on the top of your car, even for fun, and I find it odd that the same logic isnt applying here.

In short I think they deliver a short term undeniable safety advantage to the individual, but a possible long term resentment against horseriders on roads.
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I agree. Long term safety solutions are not going to be achieved through deceit. The wearing of such clothing by some may damage the image of horseriders for the many.
 
Sixteen Hands said:
Quoting the letter to the BHS from Mr Hansen: It is apparent that this issue has been subject to considerable debate through equine forums and I wish therefore to clarify the position from the police’s perspective for your readers so that they appreciate the risks associated with wearing such products and/or designs.
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Risks? What risks?

Why don't they just come out and say people wearing POLITE tabards will be prosecuted - so they must stop doing it - instead of issuing these vague threats? Is it because they would prefer people not to wear them for some reason, and therefore hope that we will be put off by reading the letter? Or are they seriously intending to start prosecuting people for doing something that they have still not explained the harm of, when they probably have much better things to do with their time?

However, I do agree with you that long term safety solutions aren't going to be achieved through deceit but rather through proper driver education. Meanwhile, if the tabards work, I don't see why shouldn't people go on wearing them.
 
MochaDun said:
Some of those attitudes are very depressing :( Yesterday out on a hack on a small road that is deemed a "quiet lane" by the local council, which has signs up about walkers, cyclists, horses as it is a country lane used frequently by all of these, two of us out hacking had a car coming towards us at speed (straight stretch of road), the rider in front flagged him to slow down, he just gesticulated and mouthed abuse through his car window. Take the horses out the equation and he's still doing 50mph in a 30mph but that's his attitude and no-one's going to tell him otherwise. I despair. I'm sure that guy uses that route and will adopt that attitude to every horse rider he has to pass.

We also witnessed on that same road a family cycling where a younger one, probably 8 years old was ahead of his parents doing well but a bit wobbly, but all the gear and not that bad at cycling for his age, and entitled to be out enjoying learning how to cycle with his family on such a small country road and a car overtook the ones at the back, had to tuck in behind him as we were coming along on the other side of the road and the car got far too close before finally going out round him with sufficient space - it made us gasp as we were convinced the car was going to clip him, it was such a close shave it made me feel sick - the little boy thankfully was blissfully unaware of what had just happened behind him. That was just poor driving as the woman driver had slowed but was just oblivious I think.
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It is so sad that drivers can be so stupid. This story at least has a happy ending, unfortunately yesterday not far from us a boy of 7 was out riding his bike with an adult on the roads, he heard a large tractor behind and turned around to see it. This made him wobble and he ended up under the tractor, as you can imagine it was not a happy ending. Its very sad and so worrying having children the same age learning to ride on the roads. It really puts me off taking them out riding their bikes.
 
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