Question for emergency vehicle drivers
Discussion
When on blues and twos do you find it increasingly common for drivers that are quite some distance in front to stop too early and cause a block in traffic which is then harder to negotiate?
As a driver I've seen this happen a few times recently where drivers in front have stopped when not necessary and, I think, mad it harder/slower for the emergency vehicle, in all three cases being ambulances.
As a driver I've seen this happen a few times recently where drivers in front have stopped when not necessary and, I think, mad it harder/slower for the emergency vehicle, in all three cases being ambulances.
Me too. Because drivers are only taught to pass the test. Once they've done that, driving is just a chore, that doesn't require any intelectual input what so ever. See blues and two's behind, panic, stop. That's it. I was approached a few weeks ago by an ambulance. Floored the throttle, and disappered up the road (safely).
robinessex said:
Me too. Because drivers are only taught to pass the test. Once they've done that, driving is just a chore, that doesn't require any intelectual input what so ever. See blues and two's behind, panic, stop. That's it. I was approached a few weeks ago by an ambulance. Floored the throttle, and disappered up the road (safely).
That's ok as long as your not speeding and expect dispensation.There are a lot of,sheep out there hear a siren and just stop we're they are or drive up the nearest verge or kerb without a thought to wether it will aid the vehicles progress.
Edited by jbsportstech on Monday 23 June 21:10
technogogo said:
When on blues and twos do you find it increasingly common for drivers that are quite some distance in front to stop too early and cause a block in traffic which is then harder to negotiate?
As a driver I've seen this happen a few times recently where drivers in front have stopped when not necessary and, I think, mad it harder/slower for the emergency vehicle, in all three cases being ambulances.
The main problem when drivers stop early is the vehicles behind don't realise the reason and overtake. The amount of people who overtake without checking their mirrors is staggering.As a driver I've seen this happen a few times recently where drivers in front have stopped when not necessary and, I think, mad it harder/slower for the emergency vehicle, in all three cases being ambulances.
I came across this the other day. Round a gentle bend to be met with two proper mongs stopped right opposite one another, both too frightened to move and with an ambulance in full "I've got somewhere to be" regalia sat behind them waiting patiently for one of them to grow their first braincell. It was only when I began waving at the car on the opposite side that he finally twigged what was what. Couple of prize prats and the worst bit about it is they're probably not even as bad as the average driver.
Simon.
Simon.
This...
The one which always got me - and which, to this day I don't really understand is that you'll be travelling along a major road with blues, flashers and sirens on and up ahead you'll see a car approaching the give way lines at a T junction which joins your road from the left. Now, put yourself in that drivers shoes. You're turning left at a T junction, you slow or stop at the line, look right and see an emergency vehicle, fully lit up travelling towards you. Would you wait until it has passed before pulling out? I would.
You wouldn't believe how many will pull out of the junction and then immediately put a left indicator on and pull over to let you past. Its never made any sense to me. Its not like they haven't seen you - you'll see them look in your direction and even someone as cynical as me doesn't believe there are so many clinically blind people in the roads. They look at you, see the emergency vehicle on a run, pull out anyway and then scrabble to get out of the way.
Strange.
I might write a piece on emergency response driving in the advanced driving forum. I'll share the link on this thread once its posted.
Ruskie said:
The main problem when drivers stop early is the vehicles behind don't realise the reason and overtake. The amount of people who overtake without checking their mirrors is staggering.
Is extremely common, but so much so that it's fairly predictable. I wouldn't commit to an overtake which requires the co-operation of others unless I was absolutely sure they had seen me.The one which always got me - and which, to this day I don't really understand is that you'll be travelling along a major road with blues, flashers and sirens on and up ahead you'll see a car approaching the give way lines at a T junction which joins your road from the left. Now, put yourself in that drivers shoes. You're turning left at a T junction, you slow or stop at the line, look right and see an emergency vehicle, fully lit up travelling towards you. Would you wait until it has passed before pulling out? I would.
You wouldn't believe how many will pull out of the junction and then immediately put a left indicator on and pull over to let you past. Its never made any sense to me. Its not like they haven't seen you - you'll see them look in your direction and even someone as cynical as me doesn't believe there are so many clinically blind people in the roads. They look at you, see the emergency vehicle on a run, pull out anyway and then scrabble to get out of the way.
Strange.
I might write a piece on emergency response driving in the advanced driving forum. I'll share the link on this thread once its posted.
I have seen similar topics before and have to say I have not witnessed drivers hindering emergency services.
I do not have very high opinion of Aberdeen drivers generally, but I have frequently been on the main through route there (Anderson Drive) off which is the biggest hospital and particularly at busy periods drivers manage to get the hell out of the way of ambulances very efficiently.
I do not have very high opinion of Aberdeen drivers generally, but I have frequently been on the main through route there (Anderson Drive) off which is the biggest hospital and particularly at busy periods drivers manage to get the hell out of the way of ambulances very efficiently.
A family friend used to drive a Fire Engine. He used to say he did not really mind what the public did as long as it was predictable. He was quite happy with them stopping and getting out of the way.
It's the dozy ones who got in his way that made him despair. He also used to have special problem due to size of roads and size of fire engine. If 'persons' were reported trapped the reselection sounded quite brutal, particularly if the vehicles in his way were parked.
It's the dozy ones who got in his way that made him despair. He also used to have special problem due to size of roads and size of fire engine. If 'persons' were reported trapped the reselection sounded quite brutal, particularly if the vehicles in his way were parked.
Ruskie said:
The main problem when drivers stop early is the vehicles behind don't realise the reason and overtake. The amount of people who overtake without checking their mirrors is staggering.
Well funny you should say that. I did have this tragic incident in mind when I posted the question:http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/11295573.Two...failed_to_check_his_mirrors_properly_court_hears/
Exactly the situation you describe. I think if someone is doing something odd in front, it may well hold your attention to the expense of rear observations? Not that I'm saying anything about this particular incident. Just in general.
surveyor said:
A family friend used to drive a Fire Engine. He used to say he did not really mind what the public did as long as it was predictable. He was quite happy with them stopping and getting out of the way.
My father was a fire engine driver and used to say the same thing. They just wanted predictable actions from other drivers.But what about when the shoe's on the other foot ????
Stopped at a red light when ambulance appears from behind !
Wife's driving and will not kerb an alloy by going up the kerb or by crossing the stop line !
Cue the " holier than thou" looks and arm waving when the lights change .
Every article I've read about this say's " the emergency service's do not expect drivers to break the law when pulling over ".
Stopped at a red light when ambulance appears from behind !
Wife's driving and will not kerb an alloy by going up the kerb or by crossing the stop line !
Cue the " holier than thou" looks and arm waving when the lights change .
Every article I've read about this say's " the emergency service's do not expect drivers to break the law when pulling over ".
johnS2000 said:
But what about when the shoe's on the other foot ????
Stopped at a red light when ambulance appears from behind !
Wife's driving and will not kerb an alloy by going up the kerb or by crossing the stop line !
Cue the " holier than thou" looks and arm waving when the lights change .
Every article I've read about this say's " the emergency service's do not expect drivers to break the law when pulling over ".
I encountered a situation like this the other day, I was stopped at a large cross roads controlled by traffic lights. An ambulance approached opposite me (so I didn't have to move) but it couldn't get through without traffic moving, the driver obviously decided it wouldn't be particularly safe for people waiting at the red light to get out of his way so he stopped about 10 car lengths behind the queueing traffic, turned his sirens off and just waited until the lights went green before moving off again.Stopped at a red light when ambulance appears from behind !
Wife's driving and will not kerb an alloy by going up the kerb or by crossing the stop line !
Cue the " holier than thou" looks and arm waving when the lights change .
Every article I've read about this say's " the emergency service's do not expect drivers to break the law when pulling over ".
johnS2000 said:
But what about when the shoe's on the other foot ????
Stopped at a red light when ambulance appears from behind !
Wife's driving and will not kerb an alloy by going up the kerb or by crossing the stop line !
Cue the " holier than thou" looks and arm waving when the lights change .
Every article I've read about this say's " the emergency service's do not expect drivers to break the law when pulling over ".
Speaking for myself only, I'm aware of the Highway Code and would never try to force someone through a red light. The correct response is to sit and wait with sirens off until the lights change.Stopped at a red light when ambulance appears from behind !
Wife's driving and will not kerb an alloy by going up the kerb or by crossing the stop line !
Cue the " holier than thou" looks and arm waving when the lights change .
Every article I've read about this say's " the emergency service's do not expect drivers to break the law when pulling over ".
johnS2000 said:
But what about when the shoe's on the other foot ????
Stopped at a red light when ambulance appears from behind !
Wife's driving and will not kerb an alloy by going up the kerb or by crossing the stop line !
Cue the " holier than thou" looks and arm waving when the lights change .
Every article I've read about this say's " the emergency service's do not expect drivers to break the law when pulling over ".
I haven't yet encountered this scenario whilst being the driver at the head of the queue, and hopefully never will. Stopped at a red light when ambulance appears from behind !
Wife's driving and will not kerb an alloy by going up the kerb or by crossing the stop line !
Cue the " holier than thou" looks and arm waving when the lights change .
Every article I've read about this say's " the emergency service's do not expect drivers to break the law when pulling over ".
Its all well and good people saying 'I would move' or 'I would stay put' but you don't know until that ambulance is up your chuff and you know all he wants you to do is move.
I think with my logical mind now I would try to put my wheels full lock one way so if a camera was to capture the moment, there is a good chance it looks more obvious that I am moving for something.
I've been in that's position at the front if a queue at a set of traffics lights. Two lanes. It was a if opens one so I just edged forward and to the right and stopped just on the junction.
Was a nice open junction so others could see what was happening. There was a bus to my left and some metal railings so he wasn't in a position to get out the way. Everyone behind is had cleared a path in the middle.
I see about 3-4 ambulances a month on my commute to work and it astounds me the amount of people who just stop dead in the road when they see blue lights, or don't see at all and try to overtake cars getting out the way.
I just try to get out the way in a manner that causes the least a amount of risk, if I can't get out the way just continue until I can.
Was a nice open junction so others could see what was happening. There was a bus to my left and some metal railings so he wasn't in a position to get out the way. Everyone behind is had cleared a path in the middle.
I see about 3-4 ambulances a month on my commute to work and it astounds me the amount of people who just stop dead in the road when they see blue lights, or don't see at all and try to overtake cars getting out the way.
I just try to get out the way in a manner that causes the least a amount of risk, if I can't get out the way just continue until I can.
johnS2000 said:
But what about when the shoe's on the other foot ????
Stopped at a red light when ambulance appears from behind !
Wife's driving and will not kerb an alloy by going up the kerb or by crossing the stop line !
Cue the " holier than thou" looks and arm waving when the lights change .
Every article I've read about this say's " the emergency service's do not expect drivers to break the law when pulling over ".
the ESV has potentially 2 choices here Stopped at a red light when ambulance appears from behind !
Wife's driving and will not kerb an alloy by going up the kerb or by crossing the stop line !
Cue the " holier than thou" looks and arm waving when the lights change .
Every article I've read about this say's " the emergency service's do not expect drivers to break the law when pulling over ".
choice 1 applies to all junction layouts - stop, sirens off and wait for the green light
choice 2 relies on being able to get round any structure i nthe middle of the road - to do an 'offside'approach to the junction and enter the junction on the 'wrong' side of the road
layout, busyness of the road , and trainign doctrine / organisational policy will effect the choice - apparently the police are encouraged to offside more than trumpton or the ambulance service which can be interestign when one 'changes codes' ...
People stopping early isn't a major problem as it allows you time to plan a route around them. The biggest problems arise when someone decides that they'll overtake without checking their mirrors. I would love to see a system where we can film the instances of people doing this and pass them over to police for prosecution.
Basically, if you work on the basis that every other user of the road is a f
kwit with the IQ of a leather boot, the only surprises you should get are pleasant ones.
On the issue of traffic lights, the rules state that if you are blocked by traffic at a red light, you turn the noise off and hang back. That way you are not pressuring traffic to cross the line; however, sometimes cars will cross anyway, so the noise comes back on to warn the other users of the jcn that there is a hazard nearby. That's the theory anyway.
Basically, if you work on the basis that every other user of the road is a f
kwit with the IQ of a leather boot, the only surprises you should get are pleasant ones.On the issue of traffic lights, the rules state that if you are blocked by traffic at a red light, you turn the noise off and hang back. That way you are not pressuring traffic to cross the line; however, sometimes cars will cross anyway, so the noise comes back on to warn the other users of the jcn that there is a hazard nearby. That's the theory anyway.
Pet Troll said:
I encountered a situation like this the other day, I was stopped at a large cross roads controlled by traffic lights. An ambulance approached opposite me (so I didn't have to move) but it couldn't get through without traffic moving, the driver obviously decided it wouldn't be particularly safe for people waiting at the red light to get out of his way so he stopped about 10 car lengths behind the queueing traffic, turned his sirens off and just waited until the lights went green before moving off again.
That seems to be the norm with the LAS, there's a couple of busy junctions by where I live and they always switch off the siren and wait if the way is blocked, police seem to try and bully their way through although the only ones I'd move through red lights for are the fire brigade as someone may be burning to death. One thing I don't get is why people travelling in the opposite direction to emergency services just stop, even on wide multi lane roads where there's plenty of room.
I am not sure if the IQ of the average driver is dropping but it seems the response to blues & twos lately is to pull up immediately, either at a narrow spot, opposite other cars, in the middle of junctions, on blind bends or anywhere else except assisting those in a hurry!
Bring in the licence cull please
Bring in the licence cull please
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