HI-Vis vest with GADRA (sic) or GRADEA

Jeremy Sproket · 06-09-2021 7:00pm #1

Would this fall foul of Garda impersonation laws?

I saw a company on Amazon that makes custom made hi-vis jackets.

After having a couple of close passes and one or two loud beeps and (only one thankfully) instance of a sexual remark being made about me, I've had enough. This definitely wouldn't happen or be tolerated in Sweden or Denmark or the Netherlands. I am planning to get a hi vis jacket with GADRA or GRADEA cyclist (with cyclist being in tiny writing) or visit lake GARDA.

Would you be in breach of the Garda impersonation rules there? Would anyone dare try it?

endacl · 06-09-2021 7:09pm

Slow day, yeah?

magicbastarder · 06-09-2021 7:11pm

the Griffith Avenue and District Resident's Association might object to you co-opting their name.

https://www.gadra.ie/

magicbastarder · 06-09-2021 7:15pm

re the question posed, i suspect technically you'd run afoul of the law as you were trying to create the false impression you were a garda, but i don't know whether most gardai would shrug it off or not. might be worth posting the question in the relevant forum here (there's an emergency services one, not sure if there's one for the gardai too).

any sensible garda would probably understand why you're wearing it, i like to believe. i know three or four and they're all sympathetic to cyclists.

TheBlaaMan · 06-09-2021 8:01pm

These are very coomon in the UK with (motor)bikers. There are heaps of threads online about Hi Viz with POLITE written on them, have a search. You could buy one of these off the shelf and likely not run into too much grief with the Gardai

At the same time........https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2019/june/polite-vest-ruined-life/

Jeremy Sproket · 06-09-2021 8:05pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117855376#Comment_117855376

Having spent a semester in Maastricht I sometimes see the odd person wearing them here and I momentarily thought "politie" 😁

L1011 · 06-09-2021 8:07pm

The "POLITE" ones that were fairly common a few years ago have vanished as far as I can see - I imagine they make you a target to be watched for the most minor infraction.

ARX · 06-09-2021 8:56pm

How about an aCAB jacket?

magicbastarder · 06-09-2021 10:25pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117855376#Comment_117855376

the reasons the garda wouldn't care would obviously include the fact that 'POLICE' is not used on any form of garda hi-vis or uniform to identify themselves though.

i.e. wearing a vest saying 'NYPD' would functionally create no more or less of an impression that you were a garda than a POLITE vest would.

this.lad · 07-09-2021 6:47am

Maybe a jacket with IMPOLITE on it would make these people more careful, for fear of a torrent of verbal abuse?

Peregrinus · 07-09-2021 7:10am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058207658/hi-vis-vest-with-gadra-sic-or-gradea

Two thoughts:

First, if your intention is to dress in a way that might make people think that you are, or may be, a guard — yup, that is pretty much exactly the behaviour that is criminalised by Garda Síochána Act 2005 s. 60. Which is what you'd expect, really.

Secondly, if you think that being taken for a guard will protect you from disrespectful and derogatory comments in the street — well, maybe talk to a couple of guards about how well that works for them.

Macy0161 · 07-09-2021 9:20am

It doesn't seem to be available anymore, but my most effective "Hi Viz" is the Staying Alive at 1.5 "Recording my journey" gillet. Might be worth having a look at Recording my journey and/or camera logo's? I did Lap the Lough a couple of weeks ago, and it was very noticeable how many of the northern club kits had camera logo's somewhere on the back. Fear of (legal*) consequences is what changes motorists behaviour, which now does include camera footage.

*couldn't give a feck about killing or maiming, but hit them in the pocket...

[Deleted User] · 07-09-2021 9:23am

agreed with the above post, just write “smile for the camera “ on a hi viz,

Tombo2001 · 07-09-2021 9:29am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117856637#Comment_117856637

Bit of a strawman there to be honest - OP didnt mention concern about disrespectful comments, so congratulations on winning a debate that you started yourself.

As for the other point - OPs concern is about being killed or maimed on the roads, and with that in mind might be willing to take a chance on section s.60.

Given the amount of dangerous and illegal driving that the guards turn a blind eye to, it would be a bit rich to clamp down on something like that.

Its gas how people (motorists) can be so righteous about one law being broken, and so indifferent to other laws being broken (the ones they break themselves).

Macy0161 · 07-09-2021 9:30am

Just had a quick google - loads on ebay/ amazon aimed at horse riders with stuff like "Slow Down, You're on Camera"

Tombo2001 · 07-09-2021 9:31am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117856964#Comment_117856964

Edit - apols, mis read the OP's post, so its me who is wrong about the strawman, sorry.

Mc Love · 08-09-2021 6:52pm

Have a PassPixi on the back of one of my jackets or you can attach it to your panniers too. Not sure if it makes any difference as Limerick drivers arent the worst.

Jeremy Sproket · 08-09-2021 6:58pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117856970#Comment_117856970

Do you have a recommendation for a rear-facing camera?

I have a hybrid bike with that spring-loaded rectangular shaped thing (whatever it's called) presumably for attaching bags etc. Could you get one that's mountable to that?

Jeremy Sproket · 08-09-2021 6:59pm

Has anyone ever used a pool noodle to prevent close passes?

I'd be a bit embarrassed using one tbh :P

sy_flembeck · 08-09-2021 10:01pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117856925#Comment_117856925

I have this in both gilet and jersey. It is utterly astonishing how noticeably behaviour around you changes when you have either of these on. It's also a shocking indictment of the standard of driving in this country that the only reason many people refrain from injuring someone else on the road is the fear of being penalised for it.

magicbastarder · 08-09-2021 10:14pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117864924#Comment_117864924

probably easier to mount one to your seat post (unless of course it's obscured by the carrier)

Jeremy Sproket · 08-09-2021 10:18pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117865717#Comment_117865717

Thanks for the tip ... I have a rear facing red light .... 🤔 is there by any chance something hifalutin that might double up as a LED light AND a camera ?? 😋

Weepsie · 08-09-2021 10:19pm

Yes, cycliq fly6 is a rear light with camera built in.

Jeremy Sproket · 08-09-2021 10:20pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117865742#Comment_117865742

Thank you 😊 I'll let Santa know about that one!

[Deleted User] · 08-09-2021 10:52pm

I'd not recommend a fly 6 I've a second gen one and for the price you'd be better off with a 150-200 euro camera and a 50 euro light to be honest. Looking at the gen 3 it's actually not as bright as previous versions.

Jonesy101 · 09-09-2021 9:08am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058207658/hi-vis-vest-with-gadra-sic-or-gradea

doubt anyone would think youre a garda if youre in your lycra half way up glencullen road or sweating on your way to work racing yourself down the canal

Sleeper12 · 09-09-2021 9:11am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058207658/hi-vis-vest-with-gadra-sic-or-gradea

It really depends on what it looks like next to a genuine GARDA one. If you copy their design, colour, font etc then I could see trouble down the road

Seth Brundle · 09-09-2021 9:12am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117864930#Comment_117864930

I think you're just offering a target to passing drivers

Macy0161 · 09-09-2021 9:15am

I've the aldi knock off version of the fly6, and a first generation fly12. But motorists can't see them, so they're not as effective as the gillet. If/ when back in the office, I'll be looking at helmet cams as they're a visible deterrent.

After so many close passes walking, I've taken to holding my phone as though I'm filming (very obviously) walking the short stretch from our house to the footpath. You can actually see the motorists think about squeezing past, seeing the phone, and then slow and the indicator goes on...

I really don't want to be "that guy" but feel I'm forced by motorist behaviour, the judiciary, RSA and the gardai to be that person.

2 Wheels Good · 09-09-2021 3:57pm

Stick some flashing blue lights on as well, have seen Deliveroo cyclists in Cork with them so them must be legal 🤔

Macy0161 · 10-09-2021 1:59pm

Fly12 rip off in the Aldi specials coming up, as per the mega thread!

HI-Vis vest with GADRA (sic) or GRADEA

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