Hi-Viz Polite Jackets

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PeterNatt

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BBC Radio 4 at 7.45 a.m. this morning 05.05.2013 it was reported that the Association of Chief Police Officers have warned horse riders that wearers of the 'Polite' range of Hi-Viz jackets may be prosecuted for impersonating a police officer (Jackets that have polite or please on a black panel) . Also stated was that there were about 3,000 horse related accidents on the road each year and that some horse riders were refusing to stop wearing them.
 
I had heard that too. Unfortunately with the reporting, it doesn't make it clear that it isn't the yellow hi viz that isn't an issue, but the check pattern and "POLITE" motif itself.

I am now fully expecting horse riders to be slated for wearing yellow hi viz, even if it says "slow" etc. Perhaps written guidance should have been issued for the media to report in terms of hi viz being appropriate for visibility and safety etc.

As an aside, I wonder if any of the police to whom complaints were made asked the complainant why they were complaining and what had it meant that they did? I'm guessing if they had done the answers wouldn't have been so forthcoming as it inevitably meant they had to slow down.
 
There was also this article on DM online this morning
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ing-hi-viz-arrested-impersonating-police.html

Not actually sure if the article actually comes to a conclusion. However reading the comments of some complete idiots makes my blood boil, no wonder with people like that driving on the road there are so many accidents. I personally can't see an issue with the jackets. There is a resemblance to the police jackets and if this encourages drivers to slow down more so than normal it may save lives and therefore saving police valuable time in clearing up after an accident, everyone's a winner!!

The complete lack of respect some people have for people riding on the road astounds me. I am extremely lucky to never had a particularly awful experience on the roads and cars are generally respectful near where I am. There just seems no consideration for why riders ride like they do but it isn't how the motorist wants and so they're clearly idiots!! Obviously riders are always 100% blameless but reading the comments really made me mad, sorry rant over ;)
 
I have that jacket. I was wearing it yesterday as I rode down a busy 60mph road. I was passed by two police cars. Both times I thanked the drivers for slowing down for me and they waved back. That's exactly how they have been treating me for the last couple of years (think I got that jacket about two years ago). They are very nice and also turn their sirens off to pass me.
If they tell me to stop wearing it then I will of course but in the meantimes I am going to keep wearing it because I feel much safer with it on.
 
As posted on similar thread in Latest News
My local force in Scotland, now Police Scotland, advised ''carry on using the Hi-Viz we want riders to be seen''
 
Goodness me 3000 a year is about 9 a day I think - are those all ridden horses or including horses that get loose onto roads? And there will be accidents which are unreported too I would think. I'll carry on with Hi-Viz until i get stopped.
 
Cuffey said:
As posted on similar thread in Latest News
My local force in Scotland, now Police Scotland, advised ''carry on using the Hi-Viz we want riders to be seen''
Click to expand...

That's good news - I think that it's only common sense that riders aren't trying to impersonate police officers - they're just trying to keep themselves safe!

I'm really lucky that where I ride I do mostly off road but I do have to cross and traverse some roads to get to the wooded areas. It's VERY horsey in my area and most people will slow right down and be patient...which is why I moved there. I don't wear the polite garments, but if I was hacking from my old yard, I'd have every item from the Polite range to help - the drivers there are horribly discourteous.
 
To me the polite tabbard has barely any resembelance to those the police are wearing. Some of those comments are ridiculous! Besides, there aren't any mounted police officers where I live, barely and horse riders. I've been asked if I'm a police officer and as I say "no", I believe that is not wearing this hi-viz with the intention to deceive others.
 
I hope that a police force does try to take a rider wearing the 'Polite' range to court. I doubt that CPS would waste their time and money. How could it be in the public interest?
If it did ever get to court, I think that magistrates, who in the main are sensible, would throw it out.
I won't be the one testing this out though, as I wear a hi-viz jacket by a different company. Any volunteers?
 
Pearlsasinger said:
I hope that a police force does try to take a rider wearing the 'Polite' range to court. I doubt that CPS would waste their time and money. How could it be in the public interest?
If it did ever get to court, I think that magistrates, who in the main are sensible, would throw it out.
I won't be the one testing this out though, as I wear a hi-viz jacket by a different company. Any volunteers?
Click to expand...

I'd do it; I'm a reporter on a local paper so I'd give it a good write-up! I haven't got a "polite" one though; mine says "Does my bum look big on this?" which isn't quite the same thing... :)
 
This is what Equisafety have put on their facebook today

Official Statement.
Thank you all for your kind words of encouragement at Badminton. We have been touched by your passionate support of the POLITE range.

The Daily Mail wrote an piece about the POLITE range this morning, which many of you have told us about. We think it was well written and highlighted the many accidents and dangerous horse riders face when on the road. This is exactly why we will continue proudly with the POLITE range.
Equisafety has recently issued a formal complaint against ACC Hanson and is being investigated for Breach of Professional Behaviour.
After he worked with us on the latest 2014 POLITE designs, he then stated that he has issued his "guide lines" to ALL high viz manufactures in the UK, there are hundreds of high viz manufactures that make for councils, road works etc. As far as we are aware only 2 equestrian high viz manufactures were sent this "guide"
1. Don't use high viz yellow
2. Don't use chequered tape
3. Don't have writing on the back of a garment.

As far as we are aware no Act of Parliament has been made stating you can't wear high viz yellow or chequered tape. As for the POLITE logo, it's been Trade Marked in 3 classes, PPE, Fashion and Equine, so it's completely legal.
We believe he only wants mounted police in high viz yellow. So are horse riders, cyclist, road workers etc not as important as the Mounted Police, don't they have the right to be as visible??
ACC Hansen's two predecessors both excepted the range when shown it and stated by email that they do not believe that wearing the POLITE range would be seen as impersonating a Police officer. Commander Broadhurst from ACPO went on to say "that even if the drivers thought it was a HVP, then it would add to the reassuring picture".
 
I hope that something formal and decisive is produced soon regarding this...

As for the statement that not wearing yellow has been advised... :mad: How can they say that you can't wear a particular colour?! I've always worn yellow in the winter, or poor light, and pink/orange in the summer as they are supposed to show up better in bright light (and against rape fields!)

I can understand their point of view re the 'polite' or chequered pattern, but any writing at all? Idiots. That is covered by the safety ratings - e.g. the Equisafety tabards with writing on the back do not meet the same hi-vis safety specifications, but surely that choice is up to you?

I wear one that says 'please pass wide and slow', just in case, as I've had more than one person say to me that they go past quickly to get away from the horse fast in case they upset it...heart is in the right place, but they didn't know any better!
 
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