Drivers' reactions to emergency vehicles on blues

kevin0410

I'm begining to think some of the posters on this thread were the ones in front of me earlier!!

nuckinfobhead

PasturesNew wrote: »

He didn't go onto the pavement. The posting by the OP was unclear on details, maybe you have wider roads where you live than I am used to, but I'd say that any emergency vehicle would appreciate as much road width as was possible... and by slowing, it alerts those behind that there is a change in road circumstances.

Unless we saw a video of the event it would be difficult to say what was right or wrong.

unless ofcourse the winnit who pulled over did it so quick the car behind, well all that poor bloke could do is swerve onto the other side of the road and.............................bangsmashcrashboom.......... another less police car to worry about.

nah the driver was a tw@. sorry but thats how it is.

save-a-lot

ariba10 wrote: »

The correct procedure I believe, on hearing or seeing an emergency vehicle on a call is to pull into the nearside and stop.

Yeah and stop the cars behind you that then have no choice but to block the road for the emergency vehicle to get through, the example in question is a city/town centre whereby there are parked cars. Keep driving onward if the emergency vehicle is on the other side of the road and be aware of not just them, but the situation behind you.

I only pull over if the emergency vehicles are on my side and heading in the same direction, or pull over when the vehicle is heading towards me on the wrong side of the road.

Mark_Hewitt

I've seen many times on dual carriageways where an ambulance is blatting down lane 2 and the dawdler there takes no notice whatsoever.

Even worse when they finall do wake up the vehicles in Lane 1 make it as difficult as possible for him to merge.

Premier_2

PasturesNew wrote: »

"All vehicles on both sides of the road must slow down or even stop to leave a clear path, but do not endanger other road users. Don't stop in the middle of a junction. (If you're blocking the path of the emergency vehicle, you may have to turn the corner to get out of the way.) "

http://www.2pass.co.uk/emergencyvehicle.htm

You didn't highlight the bit that says "to leave a clear path"

Unless the road was so narrow (e.g. a narrow country lane) that a clear path could only be provided by the vehicle travelling in the opposite direction to slow down or stop, there is no need to do so.

Emergency response drivers are carefully trained to make safe & rapid progress in moving traffic. What concerns them most is when another vehicle slows down or stops for no apparent reason as the emergency response driver thinks the other driver may have seen something he/she hasn't.

A highly trained emergency response driver will be able to tell whether another driver has become aware of them or not without the need for the other driver to reduce speed. e.g. by the other driver steering their vehicle slightly to the left, but without actually changing speed.

FARE-COP

I know some people have already highlighted a link to this information, but I thought it might help if we all read it, because it seems to be founded in common sense to me.

The NEW Highway Code Rule 219 says :- Emergency and Incident Support vehicles. You should look and listen for ambulances, fire engines, police, doctors or other emergency vehicles using flashing blue, red or green lights and sirens or flashing headlights, or Highways Agency Traffic Officer and Incident Support vehicles using flashing amber lights. When one approaches do not panic. Consider the route of such a vehicle and take appropriate action to let it pass, while complying with all traffic signs. If necessary, pull to the side of the road and stop, but try to avoid stopping before the brow of a hill, a bend or narrow section of road. Do not endanger yourself, other road users or pedestrians and avoid mounting the kerb. Do not brake harshly on approach to a junction or roundabout, as a following vehicle may not have the same view as you.
If an emergency vehicle approaches using flashing blue lights, headlights and/or sirens, follow these tips to help it to get through safely:
Look and listen. Signal your intentions by using your indicators or hand signals. Pull in safely and be aware of pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles around you. Pull in as far as you can. Leave a gap large enough for the emergency vehicle to get through. Stay alert - more vehicles may be coming. Stay calm. If you're a pedestrian, keep off the road.

All vehicles on both sides of the road must slow down or even stop to leave a clear path, but do not endanger other road users. Don't stop in the middle of a junction. (If you're blocking the path of the emergency vehicle, you may have to turn the corner to get out of the way.)

It seems to me that the extra bit that I highlighted 'but do not endanger other road users' is very relevent.

If someone is following the vehicle that slows down so closely that there is a difficulty, the following driver would seem to be the one who is too close and it is that driver who would seem to be endangering other road users.

Aren't we all supposed to be aware of what's happening ahead and drive with space and consideration for others anyway?

The other thing that I had a little difficulty with was actually relating this subject to a money saving exercise. I apologise if anyone is offended by this, it's an interesting debate and shows exactly how many drivers think, but not really something that's economy driven is it?

rottertron

Its very possible that the emergency services may be responding to an incident involving your family or friends. Would you make it easier for them then?

Premier_2

rottertron wrote: »

Its very possible that the emergency services may be responding to an incident involving your family or friends. Would you make it easier for them then?

No, I think people will still stop, disrupting the flow of traffic which if that alone doesn't hinder the emergency response driver making safe & rapid progress, the irrational reason for having stopped will make the emergency response driver apprehensive and slow down as a defensive measure.

Lemonade_Pockets

I move over when ever it is suitable.
The thing that bugs me is when people just stop or move over without thinking about it.
E.g stopping before a blind corner so the emergency vehicle has to then negotiate a blind corner on the wrong side of the road.
The other one i've seen a few time's is people stopping/slowing down on sighted corners well before the emergency vehicle has got to them, but if they'd carried on travelling on at normal speed for a fraction longer they would of reached a straight piece of road which would be easier to navigate for all concerned.

kevin0410

FARE-COP wrote: »

The other thing that I had a little difficulty with was actually relating this subject to a money saving exercise.

Having to slow down and speed up again needlessly uses more fuel and therefore costs more money.How's that for ya?! Lol