Give way to emergency vehicle on roundabout
Discussion
Thought I'd solicit opinions, because I'm not sure whether I did the right thing earlier
Basically I was forced to brake quite hard on a medium roundabout because I did not give way to an approaching police car ( blues on) who joined the roundabout at speed to exit in another direction.
I was in the inner lane starting to cross to the outer as I passed 'his' entrance, so I presumed he would slow enough for me to complete my exit and be able to move to the left to allow him to pass me on the dual carriageway. Instead he slowed only slightly and pulled out on me forcing me to come to a near stop.
I'm not sure whether he expected me to stop on the roundabout - would you? I didn't feel that would be safe, it's not the sort of roundabout people often stop on.
No harm done, but it was enough to make me think it was a close call
Basically I was forced to brake quite hard on a medium roundabout because I did not give way to an approaching police car ( blues on) who joined the roundabout at speed to exit in another direction.
I was in the inner lane starting to cross to the outer as I passed 'his' entrance, so I presumed he would slow enough for me to complete my exit and be able to move to the left to allow him to pass me on the dual carriageway. Instead he slowed only slightly and pulled out on me forcing me to come to a near stop.
I'm not sure whether he expected me to stop on the roundabout - would you? I didn't feel that would be safe, it's not the sort of roundabout people often stop on.
No harm done, but it was enough to make me think it was a close call
brrapp said:
I think you did right, I wouldn't stop on a roundabout like that.
But even if we're both wrong, the police driver was more wrong. He shouldn't have assumed that you would stop and he certainly shouldn't have made a manoeuvre forcing you to stop.
AgreedBut even if we're both wrong, the police driver was more wrong. He shouldn't have assumed that you would stop and he certainly shouldn't have made a manoeuvre forcing you to stop.
Was it a "traffic" car (BMW/Volvo/Jag etc) or a "local" car (Focus or similar)? I doubt a traffic officer would've forced you to stop like that but local officers (likely if it was lights only) aren't as well trained (just think they are)
The Police driver probably made a bit of a bad call, they make mistakes like we all do.
I always feel bad if I've hindered the progress of any EV, but occasionally you have no choice.
I just wish they'd stop dazzling everyone at night, which seems to be the latest craze, started by the ambulance service around here, but it is now spreading to the Police.
I always feel bad if I've hindered the progress of any EV, but occasionally you have no choice.
I just wish they'd stop dazzling everyone at night, which seems to be the latest craze, started by the ambulance service around here, but it is now spreading to the Police.
Unless there is absolutely no alternative, no way would I stop on a r/a. AIUI professional drivers in the emergency services are supposed to be trained to a higher standard than mere MoPs.
Not many r/as in this vid, but the point is nowhere does the driver assume that others will accomodate his progress - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0xuSnXQ_HE
Not many r/as in this vid, but the point is nowhere does the driver assume that others will accomodate his progress - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0xuSnXQ_HE
I've been in a similar situation.
On a large-ish roundabout - very heavy rain but could still see very little (vxr8 & wipers on full chat for those that know how fast the wipers go) .. I'm turning right and a Police van some way off doing above NSL entering the fray. I chose due to the following vehicle being less than 15 feet off of my rear, to continue but accelerate gently and pull to the left upon exit allowing the EV to join and carry on. The EV then hung back behind for a few seconds probably expecting me to continue at a push before overtaking me, but eventually pressed on. I don't believe I did wrong - it felt wrong but I don't think I had a choice at the time and I didn't knowingly impede the EV progress.
I also at one point became trapped in a traffic snarl-up whereby my only choice was to pull out and quickly exit via a turning right .. I had seen the EV approaching and the traffic parting in it's wake however I realised that had I stayed where I was, the EV would not have room to get past due to the queueing traffic to my right and the inability for me to move over or mount the kerb to my left.
Another time I was in traffic at a red light with an EV behind - I couldn't go anywhere legally. I wish the law would change allowing us to creep over red lights or at least fit the EVs with the same technology as the busses in Bristol have whereby if they approach a traffic light controlled area, the lights would go red everyone else.
It's always situation based - you do what you have to do; but always do your best and get out of the way whilst staying within the law and realising they are the ones in control/trained - not being allowed to cross red lights to let an ambulance through is one of the silly ones I'm aware of. I'm not talking about continuing on your journey to get some cupcakes but just moving over the line to help save a life can get you punished.
On a large-ish roundabout - very heavy rain but could still see very little (vxr8 & wipers on full chat for those that know how fast the wipers go) .. I'm turning right and a Police van some way off doing above NSL entering the fray. I chose due to the following vehicle being less than 15 feet off of my rear, to continue but accelerate gently and pull to the left upon exit allowing the EV to join and carry on. The EV then hung back behind for a few seconds probably expecting me to continue at a push before overtaking me, but eventually pressed on. I don't believe I did wrong - it felt wrong but I don't think I had a choice at the time and I didn't knowingly impede the EV progress.
I also at one point became trapped in a traffic snarl-up whereby my only choice was to pull out and quickly exit via a turning right .. I had seen the EV approaching and the traffic parting in it's wake however I realised that had I stayed where I was, the EV would not have room to get past due to the queueing traffic to my right and the inability for me to move over or mount the kerb to my left.
Another time I was in traffic at a red light with an EV behind - I couldn't go anywhere legally. I wish the law would change allowing us to creep over red lights or at least fit the EVs with the same technology as the busses in Bristol have whereby if they approach a traffic light controlled area, the lights would go red everyone else.
It's always situation based - you do what you have to do; but always do your best and get out of the way whilst staying within the law and realising they are the ones in control/trained - not being allowed to cross red lights to let an ambulance through is one of the silly ones I'm aware of. I'm not talking about continuing on your journey to get some cupcakes but just moving over the line to help save a life can get you punished.
I have mentioned this before, but www.bluelightaware.org has a great short video to watch in regards to "blue light runs"
Police drivers are trained not to cause an "Incident", but at times like previously stated make mistakes, and the less trained they are the more the "red mist" comes into play.
Around where I live (Hampshire) the Ambulance crews are by far the most dangerous blue light users, some of their driving beggars belief. Their training really requires a shake up, I often see some very poor driving from them to and from southampton general hospital, but equally bad responses from everyone panicking to get get out of their way
Police drivers are trained not to cause an "Incident", but at times like previously stated make mistakes, and the less trained they are the more the "red mist" comes into play.
Around where I live (Hampshire) the Ambulance crews are by far the most dangerous blue light users, some of their driving beggars belief. Their training really requires a shake up, I often see some very poor driving from them to and from southampton general hospital, but equally bad responses from everyone panicking to get get out of their way
watchnut said:
Around where I live (Hampshire) the Ambulance crews are by far the most dangerous blue light users, some of their driving beggars belief. Their training really requires a shake up, I often see some very poor driving from them to and from southampton general hospital, but equally bad responses from everyone panicking to get get out of their way
Have you reported it? Many/most/all newer ambulances have 4 way cctv and if you report it, they can pull the footage and black box and if necessary get the crew in for driver training.If it's not reported, nothing can be done.
Funny you should say that....I did once when an ambulance used for carrying people to appointments (not an emergency one) was tail gating my learner, who when at some lights that went red, stopped, she then stalled on him intimidating her behind by almost touching my bumper...... she then went forward slowly, so he mounted the pavement to get around the near side of her.....and was shouting foul abuse at her as her drove past.
i noted time , place, VRN, description of driver (red faced, bloated in anger, age (approx), in green uniform etc... and wrote to them.....I had a very polite letter back, apologizing, and explaining that he had been "spoken" to, and was to have some further training in order representing "south central" or what ever they call themselves professionally....maybe he learned?
i noted time , place, VRN, description of driver (red faced, bloated in anger, age (approx), in green uniform etc... and wrote to them.....I had a very polite letter back, apologizing, and explaining that he had been "spoken" to, and was to have some further training in order representing "south central" or what ever they call themselves professionally....maybe he learned?
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