I’m hoping a motor officer or two might answer some questions for me:
1. Why is it that U.K. and European motor officers seem to do all they can (reflective paint/decals on bikes, orange vests) to enhance their visibility in traffic, but motor officers in the U.S. seem to stick with less visible bikes and uniforms? Admittedly, most of the motor officers I see are with the Illinois State Police, and their bikes and uniforms are always immaculate, but, visibility-wise, they leave a little to be desired (or at least they would for me if I were an ISP motor officer). I understand the tactical need to be visibly subdued, but the risks to officer safety—along with the deterrent factor of being immediately visible as a law enforcement motorcycle—would seem to me to outweigh that. Have any studies been done comparing officer safety for U.K. vs. U.S. motor officers?
Note to any ISP motor officers: I’m a little concerned that the small red and blue lights on the backs of your bikes aren’t very visible from a good distance. This is especially true of the blue lights, which are barely visible when close.
2. In another comparison with U.K/European motor officers, I see that most overseas officers wear full-face helmets, while most U.S. officers prefer open-face helmets. Aside from the perception that a fully-helmeted officer might strike a little more fear into the heart of whomever they’ve pulled over, and the time involved in getting a full-face on/off, is there any reason why you’re not wearing a full-face helmet? If you could wear a full-face helmet, would you? What about a Nolan-type flip-up full-face?
3. Lastly, a non-safety related question: Is riding a motor unit just another part of the job, or do you ride off-duty, too? If you do, what type of bike?
Thanks for your patience and your service, and sorry for so many questions. I've seen officers do things with their Harleys that I wouldn't attempt to do on my sport-tourer, but as we all know, no amount of experience is going to make you visible to a large percentage of traffic. I recently completed the MSF Experienced Rider Course, and a look at the U.S. motor officer community from this casual observer makes me think that the job could be made safer.
Ride safe!
-Mike
1. Why is it that U.K. and European motor officers seem to do all they can (reflective paint/decals on bikes, orange vests) to enhance their visibility in traffic, but motor officers in the U.S. seem to stick with less visible bikes and uniforms? Admittedly, most of the motor officers I see are with the Illinois State Police, and their bikes and uniforms are always immaculate, but, visibility-wise, they leave a little to be desired (or at least they would for me if I were an ISP motor officer). I understand the tactical need to be visibly subdued, but the risks to officer safety—along with the deterrent factor of being immediately visible as a law enforcement motorcycle—would seem to me to outweigh that. Have any studies been done comparing officer safety for U.K. vs. U.S. motor officers?
Note to any ISP motor officers: I’m a little concerned that the small red and blue lights on the backs of your bikes aren’t very visible from a good distance. This is especially true of the blue lights, which are barely visible when close.
2. In another comparison with U.K/European motor officers, I see that most overseas officers wear full-face helmets, while most U.S. officers prefer open-face helmets. Aside from the perception that a fully-helmeted officer might strike a little more fear into the heart of whomever they’ve pulled over, and the time involved in getting a full-face on/off, is there any reason why you’re not wearing a full-face helmet? If you could wear a full-face helmet, would you? What about a Nolan-type flip-up full-face?
3. Lastly, a non-safety related question: Is riding a motor unit just another part of the job, or do you ride off-duty, too? If you do, what type of bike?
Thanks for your patience and your service, and sorry for so many questions. I've seen officers do things with their Harleys that I wouldn't attempt to do on my sport-tourer, but as we all know, no amount of experience is going to make you visible to a large percentage of traffic. I recently completed the MSF Experienced Rider Course, and a look at the U.S. motor officer community from this casual observer makes me think that the job could be made safer.
Ride safe!
-Mike
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