Stig On Patrol

‘Isle’s Stig On Patrol’, the Thanet Adscene proudly proclaims on the front page of it’s recent edition!

‘Mystery biker after illegal school parkers. With 64 horsepower and a top speed of 125mph a mysterious unnamed traffic warden is scouring the isle’s schools on his motorbike for illegal parkers.’ One hopes of course that this unnamed rider (who refuses to reveal his identity for fear of reprisals from angry parents) certainly won’t be riding at such speeds outside of schools or anywhere else on the public highway?

This coming just days after a biker receiving a jail sentence for riding at excessive speed thus prompting the question, is it therefore ok to glamorise and sensationalise high speed riding when it suits?

Furthermore, why should this ‘undercover’ civil enforcement officer be so concerned about reprisals from angry parents? The main reason why people have taken to disregarding many highway laws is through lack of visible policing and enforcement. Would it not be better if this enforcement exercise were more prominent and visible, maybe with proper signage and uniform being employed on both vehicle and rider?

One thing is for certain, this is just another attempt at covert policing which does nothing more than encourage scepticism in a system already boiling in a broth of mistrust.

Mind you, there is of course a positive here. If you happen to ride a silver Honda Deauville motorcycle and wear a blue jacket then you’re going to experience a lot more respect from drivers on the Isle of Thanet, unless of course your registration number has been emblazoned on the front page of the March 12th edition of Thanet Adscene!