Cunobelin wrote:
Quote:
I cycled the same route each day for three weeks.
In week one - I wore a high viz vest
In week two - I wore ordinary clothing
In week three - I wore a black suit with silver buttons and a party policeman's helmet.
For some reason the dark suit was more effective and impersonating a policeman is the most effective way of keeping safe!
The person who posted this appeared to think this significant as a visibility aid.
This is slighly out of the original context - The actual quote was that there was an "urban myth" that a cyclist had carried out the experiment. The conclusion was
not that the mock uniform was a visibility aid, but that it simulated the local law enforcement.
True - you do see people adjust their driving when they see us on patrol. Hard core of pillocks appear oblivious - and these are the ones who attract our attention around our patch.
For example - the "executives" Dratsabasti mentioned are the types who notice the scam at the last minute. They are also the types who would notice my lads at the last minute as well!
In all probability. We do use discretion - but this depends on what is actually seen as well as attitude. Sometimes a sharp warning suffices and sometimes we also issue the fixed penalties as well. But each one - we assess on individual merit.
But yes .. perhaps the image of uniformed BiB makes most of the normal minded MoP behave.
Hard cores just take no notice. Did the weekend stints as young recruit all those years ago. Think the Mad Lad commented somewhere on here that binge drinking, youth fired up with alcohol was just as prevalent in our generation as the current young crop. I remember fellow students drinking pints of beer and vimto and getting into all kinds of scrapes as a result. Follies of youth!
Half my generation smoked joints as well!
I even had a puff or two aged 18!
Did not like it - I was sick for days and never wished to try it ever again as result! Which is just as well - given what I chose to do for a living!
I once policed a football match in the heavy days of football hooliganism as well.
My police uniform was not a very good safety aid at the time!
It is not that great today either - and mine has a lot of shiny buttons and shoulder pads on it now!
And my brother has a similar rank to me down in the Met. Made no difference that his uniform was hanging in the wardobe. He still got burgled - and they made off with his DVD player, telly, son's laptop, a mobile telephone and his wife's fave necklace!
And they never managed to catch the burglar either - or retrieve his goodies. So we ain't immune even though we do follow our own security advice. Some will penetrate the best defences!
Cunobelin wrote:
This was the suggestion, which is why the suggestion that "twinkling buttons" were a better aid to visibility than HI-Viz clothing is so absurd.
I think you ran over the cat!
I think she was winding you up!
Quite a playful little thing - surprisingly sharp claws though!
She spent the weekend modelling her new gear to me. Have to say - the stuff she bought in Switzerland is highly wearable day and night - and noticeable. She rode the bike and I followed - and could pick her out with normal dips from a good distance on the B6265 across the moors between Wharfedale and Nidderdale. Also the bright lilac one was very good in daylight. as well
Would not wear this myself - does not suit my - er - image!
But she had a nice two tone blue one which was very suitable - and very visible -day and night. The paler blue did show in my dipped lights.
So - there is some really decent gear coming out now - which keeps one visible, makes one look less of a pr@t, and allows one to stand out from the crowd of greeny-yellowy items.