Serious advice wanted!
By Fleur
@Fleura (34927)
United Kingdom
October 23, 2019 6:21am CST
MyLot is probably not the best first port of call for advice, but I thought I’d ask you anyway – especially those in the UK – because someone out there might happen to have experience of something like this!
Quite a few times when we've been out on ‘toad patrol', motorists have stopped to ask what on Earth we're doing. Either they have no idea what the toad warning sign means, or they know it means they should look out for toads but they don't understand how that relates to people wandering about in the dark!
So we have talked about perhaps getting some high-vis gear with 'toad patrol' to try and get the message across, and now (before the next season) would be a good time to look into this so I have been investigating.
I’m looking into something like this - although I'm not sure what are the legalities of printing road signs on your clothing – does anyone know?
9 people like this
9 responses
@WorDazza (15826)
• Manchester, England
23 Oct 19
The law can't be that strict. Horse riders in our area all seem to wear high-viz vests that look almost exactly like the ones the UK mounted police wear except the word 'police' has been replaced by the word 'polite'. There may be some smaller writing below it relating to politely requesting you to give them room or something.
I've genuinely thought they were police on a number of occasions.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (34927)
• United Kingdom
23 Oct 19
I know what you mean - I've seen 'polite' motorcyclists as well. There are quite a surprising number of regulations around road signs and things though. For example it's illegal for non-emergency vehicles to use blue flashing lights. I have actually just been in touch with the department for transport - they assure me that someone will get back to me with the answer!
Of course if we can't reproduce the actual sign then there isn't anything to stop us using something similar - we'd just have to find a decent silhouette of a toad!
1 person likes this
@WorDazza (15826)
• Manchester, England
23 Oct 19
@Fleura That thought did cross my mind to use something similar but not identical.
You're wise to seek the correct advice on this. The police are far too busy to bother about the fact your house has been burgled but put the wrong thing on a high-vis jacket and they'll be all over you.
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (17239)
• China
23 Oct 19
Sorry,I can't give you any advice about doing it ! Do you belong to a voluntary organization patrolling on the road in case toads would be run over by cars ?
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
25 Oct 19
i reckon yer best bet'd be to contact the authorities 'round yer parts, hon. fer me, i see nothin' wrong with this. but to be'n the safe side, i'd sure inquire.
1 person likes this
@Alexandoy (65302)
• Cainta, Philippines
23 Oct 19
Toad patrol. This is the first time I've heard of it.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (34927)
• United Kingdom
23 Oct 19
it's something I've written about a few times before, you can see more here for example
Some of you have probably read my posts before about the ‘Toad Patrol’. Every spring toads wake up from hibernation in the woods and make their way to their...
1 person likes this
@Alexandoy (65302)
• Cainta, Philippines
23 Oct 19
@Fleura thanks for the explanation.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502148)
• Italy
23 Oct 19
I think it would not be a violation here, but before doing something like this I would double check. I am reading online, it is not illegal in Italy, it seems that it is not allowed here in Switzerland. I am going to send an email to ask, we also have toad patrols here.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381750)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Oct 19
Sorry I can't help you but high viz jackets sound a good idea whatever they have on them.
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
23 Oct 19
I would most certainly wear that vest if I were out on Toad patrol.
1 person likes this
