Motorcyclists are being stopped by UK police under a controversial government-backed initiative to improve road safety. At least two police forces have begun campaigns that involve stopping riders who have committed no offence in order to give a lecture on safety. Hundreds of motorcyclists have already been stopped by Sussex police and Nottinghamshire police, and the Department for Transport wants all forces to adopt similar methods.
Officers flag down riders and give advice on visibility, speed and road behaviour before handing out high-visibility vests, jackets and backpacks. Chief Inspector Andrew Charlton, Nottinghamshire’s head of roads policing, said motorcyclists had by and large been happy to co-operate and had welcomed the advice. The force plans to step up the campaign.
Critics have said that car drivers are in greater need of road safety advice…”
But it’s the comments I really enjoyed.
Arcot Ramathorn wrote: “Can I give them friendly advice on crime fighting?”
Ian Beech seemed to agree with that feeling: “As a retired Police Officer, Ex-Traffic, qualified Class 1 Rider having held a full M'Cycle license for somewhay over 40 years, I await being pulled over on my Bike with some interest. I may even be able to hand out some words of advice of my own!”
Eric West was a little more blunt: “This is outrageous. The police do not have special powers to detain and annoy. Equally troubling, we're subsidising dozens of fat donut eating safety-nazis rather than hiring useful people like teachers, firemen, nurses. A waste of time and a dreadful infringement on personal privacy. Oh, and of course people are polite. It's natural to fear arrest or the possibility of having your DNA taken or being charged with some trumped up offense. Our police are pigs.”
Similar response from fred smith who wrote: “Interfering morons. What if the person doesn't want a lecture, has he got the right to tell them to bog off? What if he's on his way to an appointment. Is there no end to this corrupt Junta's interference in our every-day lives?
I’ll leave the final word with Andrew Thomas: “It's the dozy old fools in cars who need lecturing on road safety. Maybe then the bike accident statistics will come down.”
So what do you think?
Peter “The Bear” Thoeming
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Comments
Being stopped by police officer having committed no offense and on top of it receive a lecture on safety it will certainly be a way of pissing me off endlessly. If an officer of the law decides to flag you down you HAVE to stop (thik of the consequences of not doing it) so what if the next initiative is to stop people on the streets and give them lectures about the dangers of alcohol abuse or the best touristic sightseeing spots? do we have to endure it?
"The Bear's" Freebies idea!!
i think this is a great idea. i've only been riding for five years but i welcome anyone who would take the time to help improve my riding / safety on the road (police officer, instructor, magazine editor)anyone who thinks they can't improve there riding must have a moto GP title to the end of there name.
great web site and mag
cheers
A) To kevin burns. If you want help... sign up for a course, in YOUR TIME.
B) Will I be pulled over in my car and be told of the value of driving gloves and sun glasses?
C)This is a direct attack on every bodies civil liberties, not just motorcyclists.
D) Should ARR produce a 'Geargrinders Arms' T-shirt ?
Harry :)
Off topic Peter, but back in august 1990, in Bike Australia; you published an article on the bike that got me back into riding - my Honda GB 400!
Geoff,
Coromandel, NZ