Am I a muppet?

[LeoSayer]

I was driving along the A406 (2 or more lanes in either direction) in lane 1 and moved into lane 2 to overtake some slower traffic (3 cars). As I was going past them the road went into an underpass and the broken white line between lanes 1 and 2 turned into a double solid line. I then noticed flashing blue/green lights some distance behind me but they soon caught up to me and I realised it was an ambulance.

By now I had cleared the cars I was overtaking and would have moved back to lane 1 which was clear for a good 2-300 yards ahead but I stayed in lane because of the solid white lines. Inevitably, the ambulance was catching me quickly and he only slowed down to about a car length behind me, lights still on, hooting his horn. He carried on driving behind me for what seem like ages (probably 20 seconds), tooting his horn a few times. I moved over to let him past when the solid lines ended.

The passenger in the ambulance made some kind of hand gesture at me as they passed. What could/should I have done differently?

[jfr]

moved over, it was an emergency you muppet

[stemll]

+1

[tigger1]

jfr said:

moved over, it was an emergency you muppet

If you REALLY didn't want to move across the double white lines (don't see a problem with you choosing not to) - indicate right, giving a clear signal that you're not moving left, and allow the ambulance to undertake...which he CAN do, as it's HIS emergency, not yours.

[mark69sheer]

If you had moved over a camera may have noted you and you get three points.

Have to agree with Tigger1.

Sadly its not your fault but a fault of the modern system.

Just a note to add... Ambulances probably made better progress on congested roads before speed cameras etc became the norm.

I have a clean license again now my last scamera convictions have been spent so I would probably have moved over...

If I had still six points then obviously that would have impacted on my decision.

[patmahe]

If it was your Dad dying in the back of the ambulance what would you have done?? Some things are more important than the letter of the law.

[mmm-five]

I'd have pushed my button to rotate my plates and then moved over

[streaky]

patmahe said:

If it was your Dad dying in the back of the ambulance what would you have done?? Some things are more important than the letter of the law.

Someone always plays this emotive card. There have been a few posts on here where people have thought that and moved out of the way of emergency vehicles ... only to receive a tax demand and three stars on their licences. They won't do it again - Streaky

[Yung Man]

LeoSayer said:

What could/should I have done differently?

Nothing, you did the right thing.

[Crow555]

mark69sheer said:

If you had moved over a camera may have noted you and you get three points.

Have to agree with Tigger1.

Sadly its not your fault but a fault of the modern system.

Just a note to add... Ambulances probably made better progress on congested roads before speed cameras etc became the norm.

I have a clean license again now my last scamera convictions have been spent so I would probably have moved over...

If I had still six points then obviously that would have impacted on my decision.

Surely you can appeal that sort of decision? I've never had points so I can't say for sure I know the process, but I would find it very surprising if that wasn't the case.

[tigger1]

Crow555 said:

mark69sheer said:

If you had moved over a camera may have noted you and you get three points.

Have to agree with Tigger1.

Sadly its not your fault but a fault of the modern system.

Just a note to add... Ambulances probably made better progress on congested roads before speed cameras etc became the norm.

I have a clean license again now my last scamera convictions have been spent so I would probably have moved over...

If I had still six points then obviously that would have impacted on my decision.

Surely you can appeal that sort of decision? I've never had points so I can't say for sure I know the process, but I would find it very surprising if that wasn't the case.

Have a read through the numerous threads on "going through a red light camera for an emergency vehicle to pass". Sadly moving for a paramedic / fire engine to pass is NOT a good defence to running a red light (even just moving across the line and out of the way, not to "cross" the junction).

The law is the law...that is apparently the mantra.

[Crow555]

Balls to that. Tubby with the Heartattack in the meat wagon can wait then.

[tigger1]

patmahe said:

If it was your Dad dying in the back of the ambulance what would you have done?? Some things are more important than the letter of the law.

A relative of mine you say (tugs on heart-strings)? Well...I would doubt that the ambulance would be catching me up for a start, so I'd be VERY unlikely to be delaying it

[SeanyD]

My initial response was going to be, yes muppet +1

Having thought about it more, and read your action, then looked here:

http://www.ukemergency.co.uk/information/bluelightuse.htm 

I think you absolutely did the right thing.

[patmahe]

streaky said:

patmahe said:

If it was your Dad dying in the back of the ambulance what would you have done?? Some things are more important than the letter of the law.

Someone always plays this emotive card. There have been a few posts on here where people have thought that and moved out of the way of emergency vehicles ... only to receive a tax demand and three stars on their licences. They won't do it again - Streaky

And someone could die as a result, I'd rather 3 points on my licence than someones death on my conscience. Of course I sympathise with those who recieved penalty points but blocking an emergency vehicle is beyond the limit of what I'd do for a clean licence.

I would appeal points but of course nowadays its hard to know how far you'd get.

[mark69sheer]

With my clean licence I would move for an ambulance in such an obvious rush.
Obviously thet had heard of some major crisis or needed someone back at base ASAP.
Ironically the worst patients can often be in ambulamces that are literally crawling back to base if their condition cannot suffer the journey very well.


I was once in a motorway roadworks in the outside lane and it was clearly signposted 'stay in lane'.

A police car came rushing up behind me blues on and I stayed where I was doing 49mph.

The car was on my bumper for ten seconds or so before realising I wasn't going to change lane or speed and it undertook me.

Sadly thats where cameras get you.

[Bing o]

What sort of camera would get you for crossing solid white lines - is it even an endorsable offense?

Would appreciate BiB input on this (where is von when you need him?).

[SS2.]

Bing o said:

What sort of camera would get you for crossing solid white lines - is it even an endorsable offense?

Not an offence likely to be detected by camera - would be eyeballed by BiB.

Penalty upon conviction - 3 points or discretionary disqualification, fine of up to £1000 (through s.36 Road Traffic Act 1988, Failure to comply with a traffic sign).

ETA. There are statutory defences to the above - passing a stationary vehicle; to avoid an accident; to pass a road maintenance vehicle or a horse or a cycle (none of which must be travelling at a speed exceeding 10mph); to comply with a direction of a police constable, etc etc.

Edited by SS2. on Monday 25th February 15:29

[Bing o]

SS2. said:

Bing o said:

What sort of camera would get you for crossing solid white lines - is it even an endorsable offense?

Not an offence likely to be detected by camera - would be eyeballed by BiB.

Penalty upon conviction - 3 points or discretionary disqualification, fine of up to £1000 (through s.36 Road Traffic Act 1988, Failure to comply with a traffic sign).

But you'd:

1. Establish the likelihood of BiB eyeballing you
2. Establish that even if they did, they'd be unlikely to pull you over for it

So I say Muppet (but I do understand why people feel like this these days).

I had an ambulance behind me the other day - wasn't sure where it was going so booted it round the roundabout to leave space for it, only to see hium turn his B's and 2's off after another 50 yards and slow down - I'd have been mighty pissed off if I'd "won" another three points for speeding....

[tigger1]

mark69sheer said:

With my clean licence I would move for an ambulance in such an obvious rush.
Obviously thet had heard of some major crisis or needed someone back at base ASAP.
Ironically the worst patients can often be in ambulamces that are literally crawling back to base if their condition cannot suffer the journey very well.


I was once in a motorway roadworks in the outside lane and it was clearly signposted 'stay in lane'.

A police car came rushing up behind me blues on and I stayed where I was doing 49mph.

The car was on my bumper for ten seconds or so before realising I wasn't going to change lane or speed and it undertook me.

Sadly thats where cameras get you.

I would think you've gone a little far with this stance here though - "stay in lane" is advisory, not a "must".