Blue Lights

sebdangerfield

Premier wrote: »

I think you are hoping for a bit much there. Blue lights simply inform other road users of your presence. It is your responsibility to pass them if necessary to make progress, not for them to actively get out of your way although they may pull to the side of the road and slow down or stop. (but not mount kerbs/pavements)
If they are stopped at a red traffic light, they certainly should not pass the stop line to get out of your way.

Generally, you'll find inexperienced (and some not so inexperienced) drivers when faced with a vehicle with blue lights will panic and stop wherever they can, often on the approach to a brow of a hill or on a blind bend.
A very common place for some inexplicable reason is right next to a keep left traffic island so forcing you to navigate around the wrong side and possibly into oncoming traffic (who have no obligation to stop).

They are fully obliged to stop. The court of appeal in Keyse v Commisissioner of the Metropolitan Policec Force 2001 EWCA civ 715 held that; Police and other emergency service drivers were entitled to expect other road users to take note of the signs of their approach e.g sirens and flashing lights and, react accordingly.

http://www.swarb.co.uk/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=124

delambo

sebdangerfield wrote: »

My 'puter realy doesn'y want me to post bullet points! I'll try again;

the bbcode for bullet points is



giving the result:

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Anyway to get back on topic as a firefighter we need to undergo an EFAD (Emergency Fire Appliance Driver) course before driving on Blues - as well as having a LGV license. Maybe this is the course you would need I really don't know? Best bet would probably be to contact your insurer to see where you stand with the whole blue lights thing. If you are not covered by insurance to drive on blues and you had an accident you could be in all kinds of trouble, and I stand to be corrected but as I understand it the EFAD course is not to LEGALLY drive on blues but to satisfy the insurance company.

Chippy_Minton_2

sebdangerfield wrote: »

For what it's worth, even though all Police officers are exempt from the rules above, ACPO guidlines state that only drivers trained to standard or intermediate level will exceed the speed limit by up to 20mph and only drive lower powered vehicles and only advanced drivers can use high performence vehicles and exceed the limit by what they themselves deem to be safe. other drivers must not exeed the speed limit. So depending on the circumstances you may not really need an advanced course, it just may be safer for you to do some form of further driving course.

And then they throw in the clause, except in the gravest of cricumstances, overiding their own policies.

Which could be argued applies to the Op's circumstances.

sebdangerfield

delambo wrote: »

the bbcode for bullet points is

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giving the result:

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Anyway to get back on topic as a firefighter we need to undergo an EFAD (Emergency Fire Appliance Driver) course before driving on Blues - as well as having a LGV license. Maybe this is the course you would need I really don't know? Best bet would probably be to contact your insurer to see where you stand with the whole blue lights thing. If you are not covered by insurance to drive on blues and you had an accident you could be in all kinds of trouble, and I stand to be corrected but as I understand it the EFAD course is not to LEGALLY drive on blues but to satisfy the insurance company.

Cheers buddy. I'm learning as I go!

I stand to be corrected but as I understand it the EFAD course is not to LEGALLY drive on blues but to satisfy the insurance company.

True, If you're driving the appliance to an emergency you satisfy the law regardless of what training you've received.

sebdangerfield

Chippy_Minton wrote: »

And then they throw in the clause, except in the gravest of cricumstances, overiding their own policies.

Which could be argued applies to the Op's circumstances.

Thats the bit ACPO put in for totally basic drivers facing a rapist or other serious offender getting away so the media dont have fun if they were to find out the officers were prevented from pursuing by their own beaurocracy. Poor!

rev_henry

Don't have specific Road Traffic Act quotes or anything but I'm fairly sure the law states that ANY vehicle can use blues and twos PROVIDING it is being used as an ambulance, mountain rescue etc etc. The vehicle can be anything, doesn't have to be a proper ambulance or fire engine or whatever, just has to be being used as one.

There is no requirement in law for advanced training, other than for the driver to have the appropriate licence to drive said vehicle.

So OP, I think you're fine to use the blues but it would be a good idea to get some advanced training.
On another similar note, I believe there are regulations regarding the exact types of blue lights you can use and where you can put them, so I'd look into that as well.

delambo

sebdangerfield wrote: »

Cheers buddy. I'm learning as I go!

So am I!!! I have finally made the post do what I want it to!

sebdangerfield

And imparted knowledge on others!

What more do you need!

gingerdad

delambo wrote: »

Anyway to get back on topic as a firefighter we need to undergo an EFAD (Emergency Fire Appliance Driver) course before driving on Blues - as well as having a LGV license. Maybe this is the course you would need I really don't know? Best bet would probably be to contact your insurer to see where you stand with the whole blue lights thing. If you are not covered by insurance to drive on blues and you had an accident you could be in all kinds of trouble, and I stand to be corrected but as I understand it the EFAD course is not to LEGALLY drive on blues but to satisfy the insurance company.

our ideal as we will be working on behalf of a fire service most the time is to get them to provide the training.

thanks for that

Chippy_Minton_2

sebdangerfield wrote: »

Thats the bit ACPO put in for totally basic drivers facing a rapist or other serious offender getting away so the media dont have fun if they were to find out the officers were prevented from pursuing by their own beaurocracy. Poor!

If only they knew the truth.;)