Discussion
Yesterday, traveling along almost quiet country lanes, ambulance with wailers blaring appears on my bumper! In front is a tractor, doing about 20 mph. I slow down and pull in as much as possible, but the wailers attempt to overtake the two of us fails due to oncoming traffic, as well as the tractor driver slowing also, thus leaving no gap between us. Its at this point i think, the wailer can overtake one, better than it can overtake two, so i blast it past the tractor and drive for about 1/2 mile till i find a suitable pull in place. 10 seconds later, ambulance belts it past with chap in passenger seat giving me the w*nker signal. Now, I suppose i could have slowed down and waited for the ambulance to overtake me, but the tractor driver was equaly 'stressed' and was slowing as well as me. This would have still left 2 1/2 car lengths to overtake. I did what I thought was right in the situation. After the 'reaction' of the ambulance passenger, I think i may have got it wrong. Whats the best course of action in a situation like this? Anyone know ??
>>> Edited by RobM on Monday 3rd December 00:41
>>> Edited by RobM on Monday 3rd December 00:41
You did what you thought was sensible and it makes sense. On the other hand you can see that the ambulance driver might misinterpret your actions.
Does anyone know what additional driver training ambulance crews get? Someone was trying to tell me the other day that they get none. Surely not?
Does anyone know what additional driver training ambulance crews get? Someone was trying to tell me the other day that they get none. Surely not?
My Dad used to be a fire fighter and driver. His advice to me was just keep driving, at least you keep the flow going. He said the worst scenario is people pulling over and stopping half on half off the road, which means they have to slow or even stop to get round you.
I think I'd have done the same as you Rob and larged it one to build a gap.
Another point of note is that just because you have a blue light does not mean you are allowed to break the law, the road traffic act applies to them just as much as you. Although I guess they are less likely to be done!
I think I'd have done the same as you Rob and larged it one to build a gap.
Another point of note is that just because you have a blue light does not mean you are allowed to break the law, the road traffic act applies to them just as much as you. Although I guess they are less likely to be done!
It seems strange, sometimes you do the right thing for one, then you do the same for another and - bang, you get the finger....
Happened to me the same. I think that it is very much dependant on the person driving (passenger) rather than what happens.
I remember when my wife got rushed to hospital (was pregnant and they didnt want to take the risk) and there was a w@nker in the front of the ambulance - I was following as I needed to be able to get back from hospital! Car in front ended up slowing the ambulance down as they just simply wouldnt get out of the way. Now, OK the ambulance was one of those great big American ones (I live in Suffolk / Cambridgeshire) so they dont handle well, but with the lights and sirens going they simply wouldnt move for over one mile....
Now thats annoying...
Cheers,
Paul
Happened to me the same. I think that it is very much dependant on the person driving (passenger) rather than what happens.
I remember when my wife got rushed to hospital (was pregnant and they didnt want to take the risk) and there was a w@nker in the front of the ambulance - I was following as I needed to be able to get back from hospital! Car in front ended up slowing the ambulance down as they just simply wouldnt get out of the way. Now, OK the ambulance was one of those great big American ones (I live in Suffolk / Cambridgeshire) so they dont handle well, but with the lights and sirens going they simply wouldnt move for over one mile....
Now thats annoying...
Cheers,
Paul
My ex sister in law is a paramedic and if I have to admit it a bloody good driver, her additional driver training consisted of a week doing the basic police pursuit course which means belting round the country 3 trainiees and a police instructor in a peugeot thingie with blue light and sirens but no markings to say plod or ambulance or whatever. They were covering 300 miles plus a day between them with nearly all the instruction done in car.
I also qualified to drive with blue lights (doing a different job though) about 10 years ago and all I got was an hour round town with an old duffer from the transport department before he rubber stamped my license, so I guess it varies dependant on jod and location.
One other thing worth noting is that Paramedics are instructed to note the number plates of "Ambulance chasers" (unfortunately not the Claims Direct type) but the type that tuck in behind ambulances and take advantage of the way the traffic opens up, these are radioed through to the police control who from what I can understand go round and read the riot act but I can't believe any prosecution would stand up.
It sounds like you came up against a tosser ambulance driver with the belief he had a god given right and was a superior being, treat it with the disregard it deserves and if you still believe you acted correctly (and I do) stick to your guns just don't be too suprised if plod knock the door.
One last bit to note a lot of ambulances are speed restricted (60mph) hence you often overtake them on motorways so very often giving it a boot full is the best way to get out the way.
I also qualified to drive with blue lights (doing a different job though) about 10 years ago and all I got was an hour round town with an old duffer from the transport department before he rubber stamped my license, so I guess it varies dependant on jod and location.
One other thing worth noting is that Paramedics are instructed to note the number plates of "Ambulance chasers" (unfortunately not the Claims Direct type) but the type that tuck in behind ambulances and take advantage of the way the traffic opens up, these are radioed through to the police control who from what I can understand go round and read the riot act but I can't believe any prosecution would stand up.
It sounds like you came up against a tosser ambulance driver with the belief he had a god given right and was a superior being, treat it with the disregard it deserves and if you still believe you acted correctly (and I do) stick to your guns just don't be too suprised if plod knock the door.
One last bit to note a lot of ambulances are speed restricted (60mph) hence you often overtake them on motorways so very often giving it a boot full is the best way to get out the way.
quote:
... I think i may have got it wrong. Whats the best course of action in a situation like this? Anyone know ??
All I would say is - are you happy with what you did in the circumstances? If so, forget it. Just because someone else didn't see what you trying to do doesn't make it wrong.
As I'm sure many of us who drive TVR's will attest, the general public have NO appreciation whatsoever of how quickly a TVR can accelerate. What looks like a very large margin of error in an overtaking situation from behind the wheel of a TVR looks suicidal to those used to taking 20/30 seconds to complete an overtaking maneouver.
I'm sure this is an example of a similar effect. Your perception of how best to get your vehicle out of the way will be much more accurate than the guy in the ambulance.
Next time just keep the hammer down and put a couple of miles between you! What were you doing driving that slow in the first place!!
Phil
I'm sure this is an example of a similar effect. Your perception of how best to get your vehicle out of the way will be much more accurate than the guy in the ambulance.
Next time just keep the hammer down and put a couple of miles between you! What were you doing driving that slow in the first place!!
Phil
Does anyone actually know according to the law what is the correct thing to do if caught at red traffic lights with blue lights and sirens behind you ??? i.e. as Joe or Jo-ann public do you fall outside that area of the road traffic act if you pass a red light in order not to hinder an emergency vehicle ????? The only reason I ask is I watched a women once get so flustered by the fact a police car screamed right up her arse with everything going when she was caught at the lights that she paniced and actually put it in reverse and drove back into the police car. Laugh I nearly cried but I always wondered what the outcome would have been.
)Incidentally, my father had his pride and joy (ok, it was a Toyota, but he was used to late 70's and early 80's British cr@p so it was actually very good in comparison) nearly written off by a Fire Engine going through a red light!
There he was stationary at a cross roads in Middlesbrough (the traffic lights where the HSBC bank and the town hall are if you are interested). He was waiting (it is now yellow hatched so this isnt possible any more) and then up comes a Fire Engine - not looking where he was going and then thump - hits the Toyota!
Fireman gets out and starts having a go - "where the hell did you come from", "what were you thinking". Until my father mentioned that he was stationary and couldnt move due to the traffic behind (which was still there). Fireman starts "errm" and "ah" until up steps a nice witness - "I saw it all, and you hit the car....". Silence from the Fireman who had to call an alternative engine to deal with the emergency!!!!
Finally, one last comment to my long email - Again in Middlesbrough at the end of the shopping area before you get to Linthorpe road (near McDonalds if you are interested). Busy shopping day and a VERY tight left 90 degree corner. And I mean VERY tight. Fire engine comes down the road and wizzes round the corner - four wheel slide and then powers down the road. Imagine if he had lost it! Not just one car to hit, but something like 20 - 40 people out shopping in a busy shopping area.....
Was it really essential to get to the emergency those 5 - 10 seconds sooner? I dont know, but is it worth the potential risks?
Makes you think...
Cheers,
Paul
There he was stationary at a cross roads in Middlesbrough (the traffic lights where the HSBC bank and the town hall are if you are interested). He was waiting (it is now yellow hatched so this isnt possible any more) and then up comes a Fire Engine - not looking where he was going and then thump - hits the Toyota!
Fireman gets out and starts having a go - "where the hell did you come from", "what were you thinking". Until my father mentioned that he was stationary and couldnt move due to the traffic behind (which was still there). Fireman starts "errm" and "ah" until up steps a nice witness - "I saw it all, and you hit the car....". Silence from the Fireman who had to call an alternative engine to deal with the emergency!!!!
Finally, one last comment to my long email - Again in Middlesbrough at the end of the shopping area before you get to Linthorpe road (near McDonalds if you are interested). Busy shopping day and a VERY tight left 90 degree corner. And I mean VERY tight. Fire engine comes down the road and wizzes round the corner - four wheel slide and then powers down the road. Imagine if he had lost it! Not just one car to hit, but something like 20 - 40 people out shopping in a busy shopping area.....
Was it really essential to get to the emergency those 5 - 10 seconds sooner? I dont know, but is it worth the potential risks?
Makes you think...
Cheers,
Paul
I reckon what you did was correct in the circumstances.. Got the hell outta the way as quick as poss.
As for the running a red light, I was stopped at a red traffic light when unmarked plod behind put on the blue lights, so I drove thru the red light and parked up.. No problems, plod went thru and I haven`t had an NIP or anything.. That was months ago.
As for the running a red light, I was stopped at a red traffic light when unmarked plod behind put on the blue lights, so I drove thru the red light and parked up.. No problems, plod went thru and I haven`t had an NIP or anything.. That was months ago.
quote:
Another point of note is that just because you have a blue light does not mean you are allowed to break the law, the road traffic act applies to them just as much as you.
Not really!
When using the blues and twos they are allowed to break quite a few traffic laws if they beleive they are not endangering others and it improves response time.
As for the red light camera etc It would show your speed which would prob be around 5 mph and one of the pictures should show the emergency vehicle. If not then I guess you would have to explain it to the police if you got a NIP or even go to court...
Marv
Edited by Marv on Monday 3rd December 23:46
yeah, but you would have STILL run a red !!!! if plod buggered off somewhere, there may still be a photo of you. You try & prove anything...
BTW, I have just been arguing the toss with the ticket office. Apparently someone with god-like powers decided not to pass my mitigation to the enquiry office, where it could have overturned the process.
Don't you just love justice?
BTW, I have just been arguing the toss with the ticket office. Apparently someone with god-like powers decided not to pass my mitigation to the enquiry office, where it could have overturned the process.
Don't you just love justice?
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