Dont use blue lights, you aint a copper!!

[Dan B]

I think the issue with "POLITE" vests is: would you swap it for one that said "NOT RUDE" instead? If not, why not? I agree that the flashing blue light thing is a more serious deal.

One of my friends was once threatened with arrest for impersonating a police officer because he was wearing an ordinary (builder-style) high-viz reflective.

 

[Arch]

I think the issue with "POLITE" vests is: would you swap it for one that said "NOT RUDE" instead? If not, why not? I agree that the flashing blue light thing is a more serious deal.

Not really, that wouldn't be funny would it? I'm just having a laugh.

One of my friends was once threatened with arrest for impersonating a police officer because he was wearing an ordinary (builder-style) high-viz reflective.

Was this recent? The world and his wife wear hi vis coats these days. They sell them on the market in York. We all wear them for work - our job involves standing in the road a lot of the time, so they are pretty vital. Or did he do something to attract the attention of police officer, possibly one having a bad day, who then wanted an excuse?

 

[beanzontoast]

I think the issue with "POLITE" vests is: would you swap it for one that said "NOT RUDE" instead? If not, why not?

Nail. Head.

 

[Debian]

I think the issue with "POLITE" vests is: would you swap it for one that said "NOT RUDE" instead? If not, why not? I agree that the flashing blue light thing is a more serious deal.
.

This is similar to the question I posed on this thread yesterday and I note that neither have been answered. He claimed that the only purpose of the vest is to be more visible; if that's so then any word or phrase, or none at all would serve equally well.

It's pretty obvious that the sole purpose of these vests is to appear to others as a police officer, even if only at first glance and this is what I think is wrong. Arch states that he's "only having a laugh" but I really don't think it's either funny or clever. Impersonating the emergency services is not "having a laugh".

 

[downfader]

This is similar to the question I posed on this thread yesterday and I note that neither have been answered. He claimed that the only purpose of the vest is to be more visible; if that's so then any word or phrase, or none at all would serve equally well.

It's pretty obvious that the sole purpose of these vests is to appear to others as a police officer, even if only at first glance and this is what I think is wrong. Arch states that he's "only having a laugh" but I really don't think it's either funny or clever. Impersonating the emergency services is not "having a laugh".

A) He..?

in the grand scheme of things even I accept this causes less problems than the blue lights... for some of the various reasons already mentioned.

If I'm being honest here you're coming across a bit strong, as I tried to say to you earlier lets not turn this into bullying. Arch is not obliged to answer you (and has already done a fair job adding to the debate):troll:.

 

[Arch]

Not really, that wouldn't be funny would it? I'm just having a laugh.

Silly me, I thought the above qualified as an answer...

Don't worry Downfader, I haven't yet been condemned by anyone whose opinon I particularly respect. As for a) well, it's a classic moment, and it's been a classic moment since the old C+ days...

 

[139NI]

Im afraid I'm with Met Police at the mo. Heres my two-pence worth - someone covered this partially earlier but i think they had a good point.

Wearing the POLITE jacket.... - not a big deal i feel. Most motorists will prob note it mentally an move on. Nearly all Met police cyclist will ride fairly assertively and ride "like they own the road" in the primary position is what one said to me [i dont cycle in the job]. i think if theres any learning to be had here, it'll be in the position on the road you adapt, not what is purported on anyones jacket that will keep you from harm. Would the guy wearing the jacket get stopped and spoken to? i would be surprised if they were..

Not everyone likes police - what if a slag who is anti-police is motoring behind you and decides to give you a close one? or your route to wherever takes you through a slag council estate? - would you not then be unwise to purport to be police when you are not?

Flashing blue light..... - could get you in trouble. We all know its regs to have white at the front and red at the rear. No where does the highway code state that blue lights are acceptable and should be used. Unlike the POLITE jacket which is more a passive statement, flashing blue lights are making a positive statement of 'emergency services coming through' which provokes an abnormal reaction in other motorists - which in turn may cause drivers to make unforced errors. would the guy with the flashing blue lights get stopped and spoken to? Probably yes - be given words of advice.

So, my [two-penny] conclusion - wear the jacket if you got one, but beware you may get what you ask for.. Dont use blue lights at all, its arrogant, illegal and it may erode the potency of it for people like me for when i might need it. There may come a time when you want those on blue to get to an incident without confusion and motorist wasting time trying to suss out its authenticity.

What would happen if everyone used a blue flashing light???????

 

[gaz]

What would happen if everyone used a blue flashing light???????

Then emergency services would use a different colour.

 

[Vikeonabike]

Unlike the POLITE jacket which is more a passive statement, flashing blue lights are making a positive statement of 'emergency services coming through' which provokes an abnormal reaction in other motorists /QUOTE]


Couldn't have put it better myself...actually I didn't put it better so +1 to 139NI

 

[thegrumpybiker]

I've ordered myself a blue LED. My intention is to have it mounted on the rear, in constant NOT flashing mode, along with a constant AND flashing red. My thinking being this; the constant blue will add a "stand out from the crowd" factor. Car drivers in front won't see any blue, flashing or otherwise in their mirrors and pull over/brake suddenly.
If I'm still breaking the letter of the law I couldn't care less.

 

[Zippy]

I've ordered myself a blue LED. My intention is to have it mounted on the rear, in constant NOT flashing mode, along with a constant AND flashing red.

Could be mistaken as an oncoming cyclist on the wrong side of the road and cause a motorist, or cyclist who had just glanced up, to swerve.

An accident waiting to happen IMO whether you care less or not!

 

[GrasB]

I've ordered myself a blue LED. My intention is to have it mounted on the rear, in constant NOT flashing mode, along with a constant AND flashing red. My thinking being this; the constant blue will add a "stand out from the crowd" factor. Car drivers in front won't see any blue, flashing or otherwise in their mirrors and pull over/brake suddenly.

2 Points:
1) All it takes is a an interruption to the observers line of sight & suddenly your solid blue has just turned into a flashing blue light!
2) What about the cars behind you when you're turning right or at junctions, possibly drivers who have just passed you & are using their mirrors?

Using a blue light imho is arrogant, selfish & dangerous. It devalues the authority that the emergency services gain from having blue lights. Thank you for proposing to make the roads a more dangerous place

 

[numbnuts]

Using a blue light imho is arrogant, selfish & dangerous. It devalues the authority that the emergency services gain from having blue lights. Thank you for proposing to make the roads a more dangerous place

I don't like to be called names and what the **** has it got to do with you what people use on their bikes

 

[GrasB]

Sorry for having a strong opinion but I'm not name calling I'm saying what I feel the use of blue lights on the UK roads is. I apply this not only to cyclists but also lorry drivers & people who are using blue lights on other vehicles too that aren't EMS vehicles. What has it to do with me? I use the roads so I may well have to deal with the fall out, that's what.
IMHO blue lights are for EMS vehicles only & not for use by the general public. That is the way it should be.

 

[downfader]

I've ordered myself a blue LED. My intention is to have it mounted on the rear, in constant NOT flashing mode, along with a constant AND flashing red. My thinking being this; the constant blue will add a "stand out from the crowd" factor. Car drivers in front won't see any blue, flashing or otherwise in their mirrors and pull over/brake suddenly.
If I'm still breaking the letter of the law I couldn't care less.

If you want to stand out ride in a sequin dress or a monkey suit. Dont take the p*** out of what blue lights are for.

their[/U'] bikes

Sometimes its has EVERYTHING to do with other people. I dont want to be in a future situation where a family member is waiting for an ambulance or paramedic bike and it cant get throught because people dont regard it as serious anymore.[/U]