RainX and Brake
Discussion
It is interesting to note that RainX are donating part of the purchase price of each bottle of RainX to Brake. I was considering purchasing some until I saw that I would indirectly be supporting a charity for which I have (to say the least) mixed feelings - some of its aims are admirable, but the majority of its arguments are (as debated widely here) flawed.
And yes, I have contacted the company with my thoughts.
And yes, I have contacted the company with my thoughts.
saaby93 said:
Nothing wrong with Brake - it's about what it says on the tin - Brake!
Can't see much to do with safety, which is a pity as that's what a lot of people think it's about. Poor marketing on their part.
The problem is two-fold:Can't see much to do with safety, which is a pity as that's what a lot of people think it's about. Poor marketing on their part.
1. They are a charity yet appear not to confirm to the Charity Act
2. They ONLY are interested in people not exceeding the speed limit.
Therefore, they are a charity of ill informed individuals who act on a misguided basis and, as you state, have little to do with safety. Indeed, such lobbyists (as I see them) act contrary to the safety of society to my mind by making those even less informed believe their propoganda, which leads to more accidents.
Brake sometimes go a a bit overboard on the speeding issue, but they provide a huge amount of support to the families of people killed in road accidents. They fund information packs that are given to relatives, which cover everything from benefits to funeral details. They'll also assist with injury specialists if needed.
Elroy Blue said:
Brake sometimes go a a bit overboard on the speeding issue, but they provide a huge amount of support to the families of people killed in road accidents. They fund information packs that are given to relatives, which cover everything from benefits to funeral details. They'll also assist with injury specialists if needed.
what is 'the speeding issue'?Yes they do provide support etc and it does seem to verge on being patronising and telling them what they want to know, but where else can someone bereaved go?
If there was a safety organisation that helped bereaved people but highlighted the real issues instead, who would use it?
Patronising!???? Have you ever actually seen one? I visit families and have to do the knock on the door. We always take a 'brake' pack. They generally put it to one side for a few days and then start to look at it once they are over the initial shock.
Without exception, families are glad to have it.
Without exception, families are glad to have it.
Elroy Blue said:
Patronising!???? Have you ever actually seen one? I visit families and have to do the knock on the door. We always take a 'brake' pack. They generally put it to one side for a few days and then start to look at it once they are over the initial shock.
Without exception, families are glad to have it.
Yep... I just wish there was a similar pack availableWithout exception, families are glad to have it.
Brake's views on speed are pretty forthright, though - in the sense that as far as they are concerned it is a bad thing and:
"When considering urban and rural roads, community safety and standard of living is the paramount goal and should be valued above concerns about traffic flow or journey time"
http://209.85.229.132/search?q=cache:HnwGq6tAHzkJ:...
"When considering urban and rural roads, community safety and standard of living is the paramount goal and should be valued above concerns about traffic flow or journey time"
http://209.85.229.132/search?q=cache:HnwGq6tAHzkJ:...
that brake page said:
The first three 20 mph zones in the UK were implemented in January 1991. Five years later, the Transport Research Laboratory reviewed the results from 250 zones in England, Wales and Scotland. The average speed in these areas was reduced by 9 mph. The total number of crashes fell by 60% and the number of crashes involving children fell by 67%. The number of crashes involving cyclists also fell, by 27 per cent. [2] In 2003, the Health Development Agency called for a reduction in the speed limit to 20 mph on residential streets. It estimated that that would reduce child deaths and injuries by a massive 67% - or 13,000 children - each year. [3]
Not only does reducing speed reduce the frequency of crashes, but it also reduces the severity of any crashes that do occur - there is a direct relationship between the speed of a vehicle and the severity of injuries. At 40mph, 90% of people hit by vehicles die, at 30mph, 20% of people die and at 20mph it is just 2.5%. [4]
Unfortunately for Brake, later on the 2006 DFT review found it better to set limits at or above mean traffic speeds. The accident surveys show 20 limits are about as dangerous as 40 so no cigar there eitherNot only does reducing speed reduce the frequency of crashes, but it also reduces the severity of any crashes that do occur - there is a direct relationship between the speed of a vehicle and the severity of injuries. At 40mph, 90% of people hit by vehicles die, at 30mph, 20% of people die and at 20mph it is just 2.5%. [4]
Edited by saaby93 on Monday 16th November 21:04
The reason I brought this up here, rather than another forum, is that debate is better argued and less hysterical. As I said originally I am not totally against EVERYTHING that Brake stands for, and some of the (I assume) professionals who have contributed have highlighted some of important aspects of their work that if they make a difference to the families of victims of road accidents should be applauded.
Slightly O/T: Are there similar products to RainX available that do not carry an enforced donation to charity?
Slightly O/T: Are there similar products to RainX available that do not carry an enforced donation to charity?
Elroy Blue said:
Jasandjules said:
2. They ONLY are interested in people not exceeding the speed limit.
As per my previous post. They do an awful lot more than talk about drivers exceeding the speed limit. I would suggest you find out a bit more about them before posting such rubbish.Sortie 10 said:
Slightly O/T: Are there similar products to RainX available that do not carry an enforced donation to charity?
Halfords do their own which scored quite well in an Auto Express test a few years ago.http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
I was about to buy some RainX for my front screen, but will be seeking out an alternative now.
Elroy Blue said:
Jasandjules said:
2. They ONLY are interested in people not exceeding the speed limit.
As per my previous post. They do an awful lot more than talk about drivers exceeding the speed limit. I would suggest you find out a bit more about them before posting such rubbish.It is a government funded political mouthpiece and not worthy of any attention other than scorn.
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