Discussion
A question that arose from my trip to work today -
I drive past a fire station but some way from this I was being followed by a car with a FIRE sign in the windscreen who was looking to overtake and the car I was following was trying to get past a bus - I left enough room for him to overtake me and the bus pulled up at a stop anyway and off they went.
My question is, with these FIRE signs in the windscreen, are they allowed to speed (we were in a 30mph limit and they must have been doing 50ish) and what happens with the speed cameras / getting caught?
Obviously it is in everyone's best interest to let them get on their way but if there is an accident I assume it would be the drivers fault?
Anyone ever come a-cropper in this sort of situation?
I drive past a fire station but some way from this I was being followed by a car with a FIRE sign in the windscreen who was looking to overtake and the car I was following was trying to get past a bus - I left enough room for him to overtake me and the bus pulled up at a stop anyway and off they went.
My question is, with these FIRE signs in the windscreen, are they allowed to speed (we were in a 30mph limit and they must have been doing 50ish) and what happens with the speed cameras / getting caught?
Obviously it is in everyone's best interest to let them get on their way but if there is an accident I assume it would be the drivers fault?
Anyone ever come a-cropper in this sort of situation?
Ed. said:
Did it have blue lights?
No, it was a normal everyday Golf, but had a sign in the windscreen saying FIRE.They didn't flash me to get over, just hung of my rear quarter looking for a stretch to overtake on.
I believe they are reserves as they were racing to the fire station - when I go tthere on engine was just leaving.
Just wondered on whether they got around road laws with the sign on show or not?
They wern't reserves, they sound like Retained. They get paid for it, but due to the area they cover not having enough risk to warrant a full time station, they have these. They respond from home or work or where ever they are and have a beeper that alerts them to attend the station for a call.
They have to obey all traffic laws to get to the station. They have no right of way or rights to overtake vehicles and such like. If they get in an accident, especially with responding the way you say they were, then they will be at fault and not only get dealt with by the Police, but more than likely face the sack from the Fire Service as well.
Obviously they do need to get there as quick as possible and a bit of common sense is needed, but if you think there driving was of a dangerous nature, you should be informing the Service in question, so actions can be taken to stop it and prevent possible accidents in the future.
They have to obey all traffic laws to get to the station. They have no right of way or rights to overtake vehicles and such like. If they get in an accident, especially with responding the way you say they were, then they will be at fault and not only get dealt with by the Police, but more than likely face the sack from the Fire Service as well.
Obviously they do need to get there as quick as possible and a bit of common sense is needed, but if you think there driving was of a dangerous nature, you should be informing the Service in question, so actions can be taken to stop it and prevent possible accidents in the future.
Let them get on with it, they do need to be there sharpish. I don't believe there are exemptions in place for them though.
The town where I live had a modern station built outside of town a few years ago, but previous to that the station was right in the middle of town, with access via narrow (pre-car) streets.
The number of times our fire crew would get a shout and then one of them have a crash (head on) with someone on the way to the station was laughable at times.
The town where I live had a modern station built outside of town a few years ago, but previous to that the station was right in the middle of town, with access via narrow (pre-car) streets.
The number of times our fire crew would get a shout and then one of them have a crash (head on) with someone on the way to the station was laughable at times.
I thought they might have to obey traffic rules, but wasn't sure as they are acting as an emergency service.
Although the two vehicles were speeding, they weren't doing so dangerously (as far as that goes in a 30mph limit, although it was 7:30AM and the particular road they finally overtook on was next to an industrial estate, not a school etc) - I'd rather they got to the station sooner rather than later tbh.
Thanks for the replies, there goes my idea of getting a sign made up to avoid the scameras though
I take it they have to turn up at calls within a certain time period to get paid so I guess that adds to the pressure too.
Although the two vehicles were speeding, they weren't doing so dangerously (as far as that goes in a 30mph limit, although it was 7:30AM and the particular road they finally overtook on was next to an industrial estate, not a school etc) - I'd rather they got to the station sooner rather than later tbh.
Thanks for the replies, there goes my idea of getting a sign made up to avoid the scameras though
I take it they have to turn up at calls within a certain time period to get paid so I guess that adds to the pressure too.
You have to live or work within 5 minutes of the station. When you join, the officer will generally make the journey to your house from the station and back and time it to make sure you are in the time frame. It's not so much the pressure, having done it, it's the adrenalin that gets you.
If they turn up outside of the 5 minutes, the pump will more than likely have gone without them, unless they needed you to make up the minimum crewing. You still get paid, but not full turnout pay, just an attendance fee.
If they turn up outside of the 5 minutes, the pump will more than likely have gone without them, unless they needed you to make up the minimum crewing. You still get paid, but not full turnout pay, just an attendance fee.
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