Polite tabards and your horse

Leg_end said:
Just beware with these, I've read on the car forums that some drivers are annoyed with riders 'pretending to be like the police' and so speed past v close. It will probably work for ignorant drivers once but when they realize they've been fooled they'll be worse next time.

Just stick to standard high vis.
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So what excuse do they use for speeding past fast and v close when you're not wearing it.

Some drivers may get annoyed because they feel like they've been tricked into slowing down, but the implication there is that they weren't intending to slow down in the first place. What has is come to if the only way to slow them down is if they think you are the police.

I followed a link to a car forum once that was discussing horses on roads and there was lots of talk of how funny it was to upset horses and make riders fall off because they shouldn't be on the roads. I know it's not the majority but these people are around and driving and however you look at it they hate us.

The only thing that might work would be a high profile advertising campaign followed by very harsh penalties for driving inappropriately round horses.

I wear very bright hi viz on me and my horse, some is Equisafety, some isn't but to maybe a quarter of drivers it makes no difference. There was nearly an accident recently when a Lorry decided to fly past us, very fast and nearly went headlong into a car coming the other way. I was visible, he had seen us, he would have seen me thank a driver who had slowed down coming towards us but that didn't get in the way of his perceived right to drive as fast as he wanted even in inappropriate situations.
 
I have 1 which I will never wear again following 2 incidents with drivers who have hurled abuse at me for 'impersonating a police officer'. One woman even stopped her car & got out saying I was a disgrace :(
Of course the 'polite' part of the tabard with the blue & white check on hi-viz will make people think its the police that is why it's been done.
 
glamourpuss said:
I have 1 which I will never wear again following 2 incidents with drivers who have hurled abuse at me for 'impersonating a police officer'. One woman even stopped her car & got out saying I was a disgrace :(
Of course the 'polite' part of the tabard with the blue & white check on hi-viz will make people think its the police that is why it's been done.
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The people most likely to have committed an offence in these incidences are the two drivers .
 
Wow, that sounds interesting! it is always good to hear from someone close as I was under the impression they were being investigated by Trading Standards for not having the certificates and that they shouldn't have sold them at all as they did not meet the standards? That is what the Fake Britain programme came out with - maybe Equisfety should put the certificates up on there website to put there side to the story, would put everyones mind at rest
 
I bought an equisafety tabard as I liked the pockets and the fact it's adjustable. I found it either made people slow down or annoyed some (shouted abuse or screeched off) so I have coloured in the POLITE wording with a black permanent marker and it works well to slow people down without causing any obvious annoyance. I also read some negative comments on car forums and if it annoys even one idiot into doing something dangerous to my horse or the next person they see with a POLITE hi viz on it isn't worth the risk. It's a shame they have that affect on some people as all I wanted was a hi viz with a pocket not grief from idiots.
 
Jamiewillson said:
Wrong again, its V-Bandz who is under investigation and her PLEASE chequered range it has been taken off her web site, due to a number of issues and the fact it did not pass the standard they said, she had not tested the Chequered range for the standards she states - FACT!!
She bought jackets off a workwear company and printed on the back - PLEASE pass wide and slow, but by law that is now classed as a different jacket and should be re-tested.

As for the Fake Britain, the woman on it models for V-Bandz, but V-Bandz has cut her off head in the photos on their web site, so people cant recognise her.
She told the BBC she was a "concerned member of the public" and forgot to tell them, she is a models and works for a competitor on their trade stand at shows.
Do you think that the BBC would of done the program after they knew that?

If any one can tell me how to put photos ups, I will prove it to you.

Trust me when I say what Ive told you is the tip of the iceberg. There is plenty more that will be offically stated shortly........ everything stated above is of written fact.
Im sick of people slagging off Equisafety and the sooner Nicky the Director puts out a statement the better.
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I'm surprised that Nicky isn't a member on her riding at high level and hasn't posted to tell everyone what she thinks, she is more than happy to call people's home phones and do so, what difference does it make doing it on a forum ......
 
It's not the legality which worries me. If I thought wearing one would keep me safe, I would.

My concerns have always been as others have said, drivers' reactions to them. The point of the Polite range is to resemble police, just long enough to ensure cars treat you with respect. But isn't there a danger that when they realise you're trying to fool them, some drivers might take offence and, for example, race past deliberately just to make a point? There are some idiots out there!

There was a thread on the Pistonheads site (linked here) recently where one driver was actually suggesting doing this. :mad:

Obviously it would be a small minority of idiotic drivers, but isn't it still a danger?
 
I find it very amusing that anyone would think a scruffy 60year old granny on a equaly scruffy coloured cob is actualy a police officer. lol.
 
So hang on, I'm new to this, if you bought the v-bands chequered range what is the deal with that? Us it sub standard?
 
I have nearly had to administer first aid to my dectective inspector husband he was laughing so much at the thought of people being arrested for impersonating a police officer because they were wearing polite hi-viz :)
 
Oohh, i wonder how long this thread will stick around now we've angered someone from Equisafety.
Personally, i think they look ridiculous. And as some people have pointed out, they are counter productive, motorists just get peed off that people are trying to look like police. And nobody who has bought from the polite range can say that they didn't buy it for that reason exactly.

McW - Probably not, i expect its just rivalry between companies.. the sub standard ones are usually those doing the finger pointing :p
 
Abbeygale said:
I wanted the subscription but the zipped pockets and lightweight hi viz of the tabard was an added bonus
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Abbeygale said:
Criso - that was why I liked this one - as it had nice pockets. I shall be attacking it with a marker pen dreckly ;)
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alainax said:
I like the polite one as its adjustable, has a zip and has zippy pockets, found that hard to find in a tabard before. If it is true ill just be taking the polite word off the back :)
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LynH said:
I bought an equisafety tabard as I liked the pockets and the fact it's adjustable.
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For anyone that wants the adjustability/zip pockets etc of the equisafety jacket, without the POLITE palava, they sell a plain one. I've just ordered one from Derby House, as I love my POLITE one but do feel uncomfortable with the message.

https://www.derbyhouse.co.uk/Checkout/Product+Detail/Equisafety+Air+Waistcoat+-+Plain_320-0065.htm
 
sue12345 said:
I find it very amusing that anyone would think a scruffy 60year old granny on a equaly scruffy coloured cob is actualy a police officer. lol.
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yes, me too - me and my nearly 60 yr old granny friend (I'm nearly 49..) often get mistaken for police on our section Ds (they are 14.2 and 14.3 and mine is particularly scruffy). Thing is, I'm 5'3" and my friend is 5'1". :D


Seriously though - has anyone got a link to a POLICE hi viz statement?
 
Jamiewillson said:
Toast said:
Oohh, i wonder how long this thread will stick around now we've angered someone from Equisafety.
Personally, i think they look ridiculous. And as some people have pointed out, they are counter productive, motorists just get peed off that people are trying to look like police. And nobody who has bought from the polite range can say that they didn't buy it for that reason exactly.

McW - Probably not, i expect its just rivalry between companies.. the sub standard ones are usually those doing the finger pointing :p[/


I'm not from Equisafety, I said I was good friends with them, your definitely right about the finger pointing though, I could not of said it better myself.
That woman from V-bandz has tried every dirty trick in the book. She even wrote to Aldi, complaining about the high viz they were selling because she had read in a trade magazine that Equisafety designed and manufactured. It's called Jealousy!!!!
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You want to be careful what you write.. wouldn't want there to be any more finger pointing resulting in the words 'slander' and 'libel' being chucked about ;)
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[\QUOTE] I'm not from Equisafety, I said I was good friends with them, your definitely right about the finger pointing though, I could not of said it better myself.
That woman from V-bandz has tried every dirty trick in the book. She even wrote to Aldi, complaining about the high viz they were selling because she had read in a trade magazine that Equisafety designed and manufactured. It's called Jealousy!!!![/QUOTE]

I'm playing Devils Advocate here: maybe VBandz took the products off there site as it is not legal to sell it anymore? If YH calls people to tell them not to wear the POLITE stuff there must be a reason for it?

Nicky should put her side of the story so everyone can make their minds up fairly. Slagging people of on a forum is not the right way - friend, customer or otherwise :) I'm just intrigued to know how this all came about
 
Just been looking at the equisafety website and all the POLITE range is still for sale. I know someone in the police quite well and will ask them when I see them tomorrow.
 
I know I read a quote from a police source in the past where it said they had no issue with the polite gear, although that was from one specific force,

Personally I would never wear one, just as I would never be without hi viz. when on the roads I want to be the one who is seen but is also whiter than white in terms of my conduct, and felt it would be counterproductive with some drivers to 'trick' them. I'd rather save the money towards a helmet cam if things are that bad, not mislead drivers.
 
I have been wearing a Polite tabard for a year now with no problems and no complaints from motorists.
However, I am seriously considering changing to a plain hi viz if there is a chance it could aggravate drivers.
 
But the POLITE range really do work in making drivers react immediately. When I was traffic proofing my horse (before I had the POLITE stuff) I led him in hand for a few weeks - I wore a plain builder's type tabard and stuck L plates to it - most people slowed for it and understood what I was doing, some wound their windows down and chatted in the lanes etc., some idiots sped past, seemingly purposely in narrow parts of the lane. I then bought the POLITE tabard and the change in drivers attitudes was amazing. Lots of them would then stop, wind the window down laughing and saying "I though you were a policewoman for a minute!".
 
glamourpuss said:
I have 1 which I will never wear again following 2 incidents with drivers who have hurled abuse at me for 'impersonating a police officer'. One woman even stopped her car & got out saying I was a disgrace :(
Of course the 'polite' part of the tabard with the blue & white check on hi-viz will make people think its the police that is why it's been done.
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Goldenstar said:
The people most likely to have committed an offence in these incidences are the two drivers .
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Indeed and if I'd been the rider involved, I would have reported the two drivers to the poilce. Half of the problem is that people put up with disgraceful behaviour, instead of doing something about it.
 
There's an interesting conundrum here: dislike the Police for saying POLITE is not allowed but like the Police enough to report errant drivers - it is a NO WIN situation for the Police....
Just deck yourself out in good quality hivis and be nice to those drivers that slow down and give you space :-) A nice smile and a little nod works wonders
 
My friend runs a tack shop and has just posted this on her shop's facebook page:
‎**IMPORTANT** We have just had the police in the shop this morning advising us that anyone who rides out wearing any of the "Polite" range may be in danger of being pulled over for the offence of using police equipment (apparently anything looking like police equipment is included).

This is in response to a new police directive. The policeman has promised to print me a copy of the directive and I will be putting it on display in the shop to explain why we will no longer be selling this range. We have loads of other Hi-Viz though....
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Something weird is going on here......
 
Munchkins said:
There's an interesting conundrum here: dislike the Police for saying POLITE is not allowed but like the Police enough to report errant drivers - it is a NO WIN situation for the Police....
Just deck yourself out in good quality hivis and be nice to those drivers that slow down and give you space :-) A nice smile and a little nod works wonders
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What utter twaddle, what is being said is that people find it hard to believe that any polce force would take the stance being claimed, they are also saying that riders should report dangerous driving to the police. How is that a conundrum, unless you are terminally confused and in need of a home for the hard of thinking! :D
 
Jamiewillson said:
Toast said:
Oohh, i wonder how long this thread will stick around now we've angered someone from Equisafety.
Personally, i think they look ridiculous. And as some people have pointed out, they are counter productive, motorists just get peed off that people are trying to look like police. And nobody who has bought from the polite range can say that they didn't buy it for that reason exactly.

McW - Probably not, i expect its just rivalry between companies.. the sub standard ones are usually those doing the finger pointing :p[/


I'm not from Equisafety, I said I was good friends with them, your definitely right about the finger pointing though, I could not of said it better myself.
That woman from V-bandz has tried every dirty trick in the book. She even wrote to Aldi, complaining about the high viz they were selling because she had read in a trade magazine that Equisafety designed and manufactured. It's called Jealousy!!!!
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Jealous pahhhhhhhhh get real !!! They are load of companies that do high viz, before the fingers get pointed I'm not one of them.
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the 'crime' of impersonating police seems to depend entirely on the individual policeman's interpretation. i knew someone who had blue roof spotlights on his landy, he'd had other police completely ignore them but one took umbrage and booked him for it.
personally i wouldn't wear the 'polite' range as i think it looks a little sad to try and make drivers slow down because they think you are a policeman/woman:o
 
I have had a "Polite" high viz for some time, which I use for cycling and motorcycling. My verdict....FANTASTIC!.....What surprises me about all these "Polite illegal" "Police will prosecute" posts, is that we are allegedly being led to believe by "concerned persons" that we will be at risk of prosecution if we dare to wear a high viz with the word "Polite" on it.

Now this may be a bit off the wall, but if the forces of law and order are going to prosecute, sureley they could muster up their powers of deduction and google "Equisafety", pick up the phone or send a letter and order them to withdraw their range from sale???

Now I know that crime detection comes well down their pecking order nowadays, but as Equisafety have been selling their range for several years, my powers of deduction lead me to think that this is all scare mongering by people who have been trying to sell cheap copy versions of Equisafetys range.

I rode 15 miles today with two mobile officers behind me and I wasnt cuffed and chucked in a cell, so I would suggest that people continue to be safe and carry on wearing their kit. I certainly shall, until I have a written order from a police officer stating why this range is allegedly illegal!
 
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