overtaking emergency vehicle
Discussion
Hi
Just joined up to post my experience relating to http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Can't post in that thread due to 14 days noob rules!
I live near a hospital that deals with spinal cases and one day on 4 car wide main road there was an ambulance coming towards me going to the hospital very slowly, they had police biker escorts who rode straight at me to force me to stop! Brave chaps. I guess that would be to minimise any rocking of the ambulance from air disturbance? or the risk of oncoming traffic causing the ambulance to take evasive action, all detrimental to the patient.
So back to the topic, overtaking is probably OK just consider the patient and the reason for going slowly, if you pull out in a TVR and put your foot to the floor the sound alone will have the patient running down the road
so maybe that's a good thing in a way 
Just joined up to post my experience relating to http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Can't post in that thread due to 14 days noob rules!
I live near a hospital that deals with spinal cases and one day on 4 car wide main road there was an ambulance coming towards me going to the hospital very slowly, they had police biker escorts who rode straight at me to force me to stop! Brave chaps. I guess that would be to minimise any rocking of the ambulance from air disturbance? or the risk of oncoming traffic causing the ambulance to take evasive action, all detrimental to the patient.
So back to the topic, overtaking is probably OK just consider the patient and the reason for going slowly, if you pull out in a TVR and put your foot to the floor the sound alone will have the patient running down the road
so maybe that's a good thing in a way overtook an ambulance once (no blue lights going) and got a load of head light flashes from the driver.
what they didn't realise i was fleeing the scene of a road rage attack consisting of 3 caravan utilising nomadic travellers in a transit tipper van who had already gone off road, cut in front of me blocking my exit, jumped out brandishing weapons when i stopped as the car in front was turning right.
luckily 2.2 vtec > transit
what they didn't realise i was fleeing the scene of a road rage attack consisting of 3 caravan utilising nomadic travellers in a transit tipper van who had already gone off road, cut in front of me blocking my exit, jumped out brandishing weapons when i stopped as the car in front was turning right.
luckily 2.2 vtec > transit
I once kept up with (as did others) an ambulance on a blue light run up the M5. Not to get within contact distance of it, but certainly not stopping and pulling over or driving 20mph slower. He got through pretty much everyone without any problems or delays and stayed out in L3. It did feel a bit weird though, at 70'ish mph, following a blue'd ambulance without any real urgency or panic going on.
Out ran one on a twisty/hilly B road once, not difficult I know, wasn't really going anywhere but looking in the mirror got a glimpse of the blues coming through the last bend, car behind had obviously seen this too, being a narrow road with fairly blind bits and it was gaining quick it was silly to just stop so knowing nearer the next village there was a lay by to pull into, I put my foot down a bit, as did the other car, both indicated, pulled up now perfectly wide/clear then for him to go past - 30 seconds later..! Pointless exercise lol
Surely a vehicle like an ambulance or fire appliance going at "averageish" speeds with the blues going isn't so much saying "don't overtake" but rather "don't get in my way".
Overtake an ambulance doing 50 with the blues on whilst on a dual carriageway? Fine! He's probably going at that speed due to the unwell pax in the rear.
Just be mindful that you don't add to the problem further along the carriageway i.e. cars in the way, impeding progress of the ambulance. He'll probably have to take a slow and steady pace (50 and not screaming along at 70+) due to the patient in the rear.
Overtake an ambulance doing 50 with the blues on whilst on a dual carriageway? Fine! He's probably going at that speed due to the unwell pax in the rear.
Just be mindful that you don't add to the problem further along the carriageway i.e. cars in the way, impeding progress of the ambulance. He'll probably have to take a slow and steady pace (50 and not screaming along at 70+) due to the patient in the rear.
I've overtaken a few ambulances on the motorway, they weren't doing more than 65mph and were in the inside lane. Since the traffic was light I wasn't fussed about pulling across to the outside lane and giving the ambulance a wide berth - no issues there.
A friend of mine told me once about an ambulance he came across on the motorway, with a police bike escort blocking the lanes behind it off - travelling at around 20mph. Apparently that only happens when life-critical operations are being conducted in the back of the ambulance, which I'd have no problems sitting behind in the circumstance.
A friend of mine told me once about an ambulance he came across on the motorway, with a police bike escort blocking the lanes behind it off - travelling at around 20mph. Apparently that only happens when life-critical operations are being conducted in the back of the ambulance, which I'd have no problems sitting behind in the circumstance.
When there are life critical "operations" going on, they normally stop so the driver (normally a Technician, these days possibly an ECA) can assist the Paramedic in the back. Standard operating procedure.
Going uber-slowly is usually where spinal injuries are involved, and airlifting isn't possible. Especially in an ambo that has steel suspension too! (talk about rough ride!)
If the vehicle is on blue lights, you're best advised to stay behind, and be prepared to stop quickly!! Overtaking it might get you to the scene of the incident quicker than the medical help that you might need!
Going uber-slowly is usually where spinal injuries are involved, and airlifting isn't possible. Especially in an ambo that has steel suspension too! (talk about rough ride!)
If the vehicle is on blue lights, you're best advised to stay behind, and be prepared to stop quickly!! Overtaking it might get you to the scene of the incident quicker than the medical help that you might need!
jjones said:
overtook an ambulance once (no blue lights going) and got a load of head light flashes from the driver.
what they didn't realise i was fleeing the scene of a road rage attack consisting of 3 caravan utilising nomadic travellers in a transit tipper van who had already gone off road, cut in front of me blocking my exit, jumped out brandishing weapons when i stopped as the car in front was turning right.
luckily 2.2 vtec > transit
What had you done to upset them?what they didn't realise i was fleeing the scene of a road rage attack consisting of 3 caravan utilising nomadic travellers in a transit tipper van who had already gone off road, cut in front of me blocking my exit, jumped out brandishing weapons when i stopped as the car in front was turning right.
luckily 2.2 vtec > transit
Ari said:
What had you done to upset them?
overtaken them on a main road, limit 60mph, traffic doing 50 with large gaps between cars. long straight, i started a lazy 5th gear overtake (2.2 prelude vtec) on the transit, they accelerated to try to close the gap, i dropped it a few cogs and pulled into the decreasing gap (still more than large enough).they flash the lights repeatedly (from 50 yards back where i had left them behind) so i stuck my hand out of the window and gave them the bird.
they then sat 2 ft off the bumper flashing the lights and waving their arms about (3 of them).
car in front indicated right for a cross road junction, cars coming the other way meant we had to stop, i left a 2 car gap between me and the indicating car. (blue car on diagram), transit took to the verge and cut in front of me (as per yellow line). they then decamp with weapons and start towards my car. luckily the blue car was able to complete the right turn and i engage 1st gear, gave it the VTEC YO and buggered off down the road. was no chance to reverse as there was other traffic behind.
was s
tting myself and came upon the ambulance a mile up the road, i didn't hesitate in taking the first overtake opportunity.
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