Attention:
If you're backing out of a road-side parking spot, or pulling through a stop intesection in which only you had the stop sign, or merging onto a highway from a feeder road, or pulling out of a gas station...
Just because you "didn't see him" and "he hit [you]" doesn't mean that you're not at fault.
Yes, it did come as a surprise, didn't it?
That was the problem. Prepare for your liability insurance rates to go up.
Please stop arguing-- it's really, really hot, and my vest is itchng under this midnight blue uniform; I might be getting cranky enough to go sit in my air-conditioned car to cool off. And if I have to do that, I'm going to get my ticket book out.
That is all.
Labels: driving, public service message
posted by Matt G @ 4:12 PM
10 Comments:
Heh. My husband crabs about his itchy, sweaty vest.
You should just wear it over your shirt, like Officer Junior does on "Reno 911."
There's a movement afoot to do just that. Actually, with good vest carriers, they can look very professional. The fact is, unless you're very fit and have a superbly-fitting vest and exactly-tailored uniform, EVERYONE can see that you're wearing body armor, and the criminals expect us to be doing so, anyway. Non-concealed vests are definitely more comfortable.
My favorite was the time in Hawaii when some officer's boy backed Daddy's shiny new SUV out into the duty van my husband was in (which was, of course, a huge f'ing 12-seater Dodge van) and not only claimed it wasn't his fault because he didn't see it, but tried to pull his papa's rank. Which, I am told, ended quickly when security called his father.
And aren't you glad we're getting a break from the rain?
BellaLinda/Sabra, I suppose I shouldn't whine about the heat; news flash-- it's hot in August in Texas.
But part of being prepared for the triple digit temps (which is what we've got right now in the shade) is not standing around on black asphalt in the direct sun wearing dark clothes and 'wayyyyy too much underwear, while teaching remedial traffic school to 70 year old drivers.
It may not be raining, but it's still damned humid, too.
At least you don't have the various ethicinities of recent immigrants up there that befuddle driving here. I swear, just 18 months ago most of them were whipping a water buffalo from they way they drive.
Regards,
Rabbit.
Matt, I'm just happy the swamp that was my driveway has resolidified.
It is always either feast or famine with the rain, isn't it?
And, of course, I have deepest respect for you having to do your job in all sorts of ill weather. The fact that it could be worse doesn't negate how bad it is.
Good Monday morning Matt,
Makes waaaay more sense to wear a non-concealed vest for the obvious reasons that you stated in your comment.
That's probably why the department would be unlikely to let you do so....
Re: Body Armor Worn Openly
{Nostalgia mode} I read about it when Richard Davis' Second Chance vest had the Number One "Save" in 1972. One selling point was that his vest being hidden was a safety measure, because, "If they see the vest, they shoot for your head."
In 1973--74, I knew ONE guy who had a vest - - His mother bought it as a gift for him and it didn't fit well, so he seldom wore it. The local PD Narcotics Unit Sergeant and I ordered vests and wore them only during raids and such. We were pretty secretive about it, because some of the hard chargers thought such a thing was a little, uh, timid. {/Nostalgia mode}
Police body armor is now so prevelant that it is expected, so many feel there is little point in hiding it. I have mixed emotions about this.
1. "Out of sight, out of mind." An excited assailant, not seeing the vest might forget and shoot for center mass.
2. OTOH, MOST bad guys aren't particularly good shots, and might well miss entirely if they try for a head shot.
There's that comfort issue, though. Some agencies now allow their cops to wear openly. Second Chance, now absorbed by another company, offers a good selection of external carriers. See:
http://www.secondchance.com/products/uniform.asp
If I were still active, I'd probably have my own external carrier. Retirement is pretty nice. ;-)
FWIW, last month Second Chance celebrated its 1000th save.
The DuPont Kevlar Survivor's Club claims 3002 saves since 1971.
I am reminded of Cooper's commentary on African Buffalo (and other large, dangerous animals):
'"He came out of nowhere!" No, he didn't. He was there all along, but you did not see him. You were in Condition White, and in that condition you are a victim. The first principle of personal defense is alertness.'
Cars are the same way.
AE
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