Polite Hi-vis jackets

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HHnewsdesk

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Does anyone have any of this range of hi-vis equipment from Equisafety, with the word POLITE on the back of the jacket and the blue and white hatching?

What do you think of it? Does it make motorists more careful around you?

Or do you think it is a bit cheeky?
 
I've got the tabard and the the hat band, only received yesterday and not been out on road yet. However i did put it on today to see what reaction I got from my totally non-horsey parents, they thought it was a fantastic idea!

Even if it gives a tiny bit extra time for a driver to see me it's worth it in my opinion. I certainly don't think it's 'cheeky', I think it's incredibly dangerous how some people choose to drive their cars around horses, believe me if I had the choice I'd never set foot on the road but unfortunately I have too xx
 
I have the jacket, have had it for nearly a year now.
Except for the fact I use it on country roads, my horse is coloured and I look nothing like a policewoman, it has worked occasionally :)

I was coming down a hill, and a car was coming towards me. The guy was on the phone, pulled out, saw me and my "police" jacket, slowed right down and chucked his phone across the car - :p :D
 
Definitely works! I haven't used it much yet as we haven't been out on the roads, but others have reported drastic results! I understand that the police are pleased for us to wear them, so if they think it's ok, so do I! :)

OH was going to borrow it to wear on his motorbike - now that's cheeky! ;)
 
I have ordered the tabard and hat band to wear when doing roadwork on my big green mare (a 16.2 grey who has already been mistaken for the past with me in my normal hi-viz)

The hacking where I am is awful, to get anywhere remotely off road involves a lot of busy road work or crossing a 60mph A road several times. To top it off there is a lorry park in the village so the main vein road through the village is frequented by HGVs. My horse is green but schooled, I can control my horse and am a considerate rider. Shame lorries and drivers think it is ok to pass me as fast as they can or to ignore my clear arm signals to slow down and then upset my horse and put me and her at risk.

I always wear hi viz to hack out and only intend to wear the POLITE tabard on my mare when road-hacking to try and get extra consideration from drivers.

I don't think it's cheeky to have to "deceive" drivers in order for them to give me some consideration and pass me safely on the road, it's a shame that I have to do this to try and protect myself and my horse from ending up getting hurt on the roads.
 
A number of us have them on the yard and think very highly of them. It does make drivers hesitate, they soon realise you are not the police but that moments hesitation is worth it as they have already slowed down.
 
I'm up for giving a full report of how good these are ! I can't BELIEVE the difference it's made to us, we ride along a 60 mph road, and cars now either stop behind us to let oncoming traffic pass, or slow right down to about 30 mph and give us a very wide berth. :eek:

I wear a black top under it, et voila ! maybe they slow down to check out why a copper is riding a gypsy cob, but who cares ;) All I know is that I feel we are both much safer, and have finally caught motorist's attention, which on a young horse is invaluable.

I've even thought of buying up a load and making a business out of it, haha.
 
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I got the tabard for Christmas and use it each time I hack out, can't say Dixie and I look much like a police horse and rider, but I would say it works on cars approaching from behind. Not so much from the front, but then on roads I tend to bring up the rear to make use of my polite notice.
I am going to get the hat band and also the exercise sheet to use in colder / wetter weather.
If you are going to get some new hi-viz; you've certainly nothing to lose by getting this range.
 
shellonabeach said:
I have ordered the tabard and hat band to wear when doing roadwork on my big green mare (a 16.2 grey who has already been mistaken for the past with me in my normal hi-viz)

The hacking where I am is awful, to get anywhere remotely off road involves a lot of busy road work or crossing a 60mph A road several times. To top it off there is a lorry park in the village so the main vein road through the village is frequented by HGVs. My horse is green but schooled, I can control my horse and am a considerate rider. Shame lorries and drivers think it is ok to pass me as fast as they can or to ignore my clear arm signals to slow down and then upset my horse and put me and her at risk.

I always wear hi viz to hack out and only intend to wear the POLITE tabard on my mare when road-hacking to try and get extra consideration from drivers.

I don't think it's cheeky to have to "deceive" drivers in order for them to give me some consideration and pass me safely on the road, it's a shame that I have to do this to try and protect myself and my horse from ending up getting hurt on the roads.
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I think I may get one, it has to be worh a try.
 
I have the tabard and to be honest with you, it really hasn't made much difference.
People who are going to slow down or stop, do so and those who want to squeeze or speed past me in the lanes (which is where we primarily ride) will still do so.
Maybe they've become accustomed to seeing them as more and more riders wear them or maybe a 17yr old who looks about 12 wearing one on a 13.3hh welsh D or a 15.1 coloured just isn't believable ;)
 
I have just recieved my jacket and headband - i dont care if its "cheeky"
It is police approved thus totally legal and tbh i would much rather be cheeky but as safe as me and my horse can be :):):)
 
LOVE THEM!!!
Even had a police officer tell us that it was a brilliant idea and why wasn't it done sooner!
Even when leading 12.2 pony with Bubs on board people are still slowing down.
 
I have the tabard, the neck band and the hat band.

I like it as I find it a nice fit and comfy, plus the pockets are great for holding my phone and horse treats. I found to begin with, there seemed to be no difference and lately a lot more people have slowed down than previously.

I don't see how it can be perceived as cheeky as we are doing anything we can to protect our horses. If it makes even one driver slow down then I see it as worth it.

The only way I can get to off road hacking is by being on the road for 20 minutes so I have no option but to go on the roads.
 
I have the lot! The Hat band, tabbard, exercise sheet and leg wraps. The pony probably feels stupid, but I have definately noticed vehicles being more respectful and passing us both slower and wider. If you want a pic of us decked out then let me know!
 
Here's Genie and I today all geared up... spot us if you can!

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It may be an offence;

s. 90(2) Police Act 1996

Any person who, not being a constable, wears any article of police uniform in circumstances where it gives him an appearance so nearly resembling that of a member of a police force as to be calculated to deceive shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.
 
14897 said:
It may be an offence;

s. 90(2) Police Act 1996

Any person who, not being a constable, wears any article of police uniform in circumstances where it gives him an appearance so nearly resembling that of a member of a police force as to be calculated to deceive shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.
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interesting one as equisafety state that these items HAVE been endorsed by the Police!

I made my own 'police pony' outfit at a fraction of the cost and it does work - people DO slow down and get off phones etc
 
I'm going to be asking for some bits from them for my birthday, I already have one of their bog standard hi-viz vests that I use in summer as it has zip pockets for phone and polos :D
 
I've got the tabbard. I ordered it with express delivery and they hadn't realised when they posted it out so they sent it out standard. I never realised as it came the next day anyway but when they discovered their mistake they refunded my complete postage. To make it an even more pleasant transaction they had even thrown in a free pair of gloves for being a new customer so I was thrilled! I've got a few people slow down but the drivers in my area are especially nice, only a few boy racers, and no one is ever going to think I really am the police on a 14.3hh fat piebald cob :)
 
14897 said:
It may be an offence;

s. 90(2) Police Act 1996

Any person who, not being a constable, wears any article of police uniform in circumstances where it gives him an appearance so nearly resembling that of a member of a police force as to be calculated to deceive shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.
Click to expand...

I too do worry about this even though i know they are not an offence - they come with a tag saying "approved by the police" and i am keeping that tag in my equi jacket just in case i do meet any over zealous officers!
 
BeckyCandy - you can order by phone direct from equisafety. That's what I did, ordered last Friday and came on Tuesday xx
 
14897 said:
It may be an offence;

s. 90(2) Police Act 1996

Any person who, not being a constable, wears any article of police uniform in circumstances where it gives him an appearance so nearly resembling that of a member of a police force as to be calculated to deceive shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.
Click to expand...

They are not 'article(s) of police uniform' and no one could say you 'so nearly resemble a member of a police force as to be calculated to deceive ...' especially if you have bright pink jodhs or similar! I think if you went out trying to control football crowds or intervening in riots and arresting people, that might be different! ;)
 
MrsHutt said:
They are not 'article(s) of police uniform' and no one could say you 'so nearly resemble a member of a police force as to be calculated to deceive ...' especially if you have bright pink jodhs or similar! I think if you went out trying to control football crowds or intervening in riots and arresting people, that might be different! ;)
Click to expand...

In response to this, I would say look back through this and other similar threads here on HHO, and take note of the number of people who comment about looking like AND INTENDING to look like a police officer, in order to slow traffic.
Under several sections of the Police act and others, it is just a matter of time until the CPS take account of what is clearly intended here and elsewhere.
Yes we all want drivers to slow down and pay more attention when encountering horse & rider. However I don't think trying to impersonate is the way to do it.
It won't be long before irate motorist comes flying along, reacts to sharply to the rider who is wearing the Polite outfit with the intention of making the motorist slow..... the irate motorist is I would suggest rather likely to react to the damage to his/her vehicle in a manner which will endanger the rider.
No polite jacket is going to save the rider from the aggression used.

This subject is discussed often on the Police forums, where the consensus is people are just waiting for it to hit the fan in a road incident. At which time the outcome is suggested as being a prosecution for endangering motorists and highway users by the manner of dress and riding.

OP it would be worth asking the force area in penzance about the rider warned in court for attempting to ride in a manner which caused the motorist to take evasive action. When appearing the female rider (in the 40-50 yr age bracket) stated to the court "The driver SHOULD have slowed down and waited for me to move, could he not read my hi visibility jacket and see the markings"
That rider I believe may be facing prosecution at some time in the near future for the manner in which the jacket was used. Should that occur the precedent will be set and the "polite" jacket will become an item intended to decieve and impersonate. End of jacket!

As a foot note there are many many driver forums (Including IAM) where drivers are using the issue as a point of entertainment and the original effect of raising a drivers awareness is fading fast.
The actualy comments mainly refer to the jacket being used as a tool to mark out inexperienced and unsuitable riders using the highway.
 
Out on that main road the last few days, and it's not a fluke ;) Everything really slows down. The fact that a copper passed me and waved said it all really :D

But what I really wanna know is..............who is this HHnewsdesk ????? With their first post ??? And not a single reply????? Can TFC give any clue ???
 
5 weeks ago i nearly went through a windscreen whilst riding due to some (language I cannot repeat on here) idiot. These come with a statement saying the police are behind them and I will where one whenever on the roads.

PS I reported this incident, named the culprit and no officer has been round to speak to him.....I'll say no more!
 
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