Blue Lights

beefcarrot

I thought that might be where you're located. The midlands are pretty much unique in having blues and twos. There are clear rules from the Trust I've just volunteered - no visible or audible warning systems and no exemptions from the Highway Code. The idea is that the responders live locally and so can get to an incident quickly.

Happychappy

Officer_Dibble wrote: »

Gingerdad

Speak to your local police forces Driver Training Department. You never know if they have time you may be able to blag a free days training.

As much chance as platting fog ! far too complicated and you know at the end of the day the untrained or partially trained with a day or two's input will only get involved in something and say "the police trained us" that's why the Road safety act is a blessing as it will pull everything into line.

The police undergo a three week course for their standard response drivers who are capped at 20mph over the speed limit to use blue lights, so why would they train, qualify or be involved in giving a day or two to a civilian driver and knowing the possible consequence, I certainly wouldnt get involved.

There is a blue light groupies club called AIRSO, they try and give out advice to blue light users, might be useful reading some of their stuff, they are very much into conferences, group hugs and jollies talking of St Johns and deeds of daring do on blue lights :rolleyes:

Happychappy

beefcarrot wrote: »

I thought that might be where you're located. The midlands are pretty much unique in having blues and twos. There are clear rules from the Trust I've just volunteered - no visible or audible warning systems and no exemptions from the Highway Code. The idea is that the responders live locally and so can get to an incident quickly.

You have summed up why they have local responders ? they are local, and shouldnt need to respond on blue lights and are untrained, but we also have them whizzing around.

gingerdad

Officer_Dibble wrote: »

Gingerdad

Speak to your local police forces Driver Training Department. You never know if they have time you may be able to blag a free days training.

Wiil do but more likely to get it from fire service so that would be our first route. it was more to know the legal position until we become trained. we have the same issue with LGV test as we don't need it but as we will be driving an 18ton truck would like to have it as a back up if it does all go tits up...

gingerdad

Officer_Dibble wrote: »

What LGV exemption are you using?

not sure not involved in that but agreed with VOSA/DVLA and police along the line of lifeboat haulage as it will be but not certain ...

Happychappy

Officer_Dibble wrote: »

More cuts it used to be five weeks.

The advanced is five, but this includes intital pursuit, but standard remains at three.

It used to be two up until 1996 when response was first taught, prior to 1996, standard drivers couldn't use the blue lights whilst travelling, only for when they arrived at scene.

Happychappy

Officer_Dibble wrote: »

It varies from force to force.

Some had a five week standard followed by a three advanced.

I have never known standard drivers not been allowed to use blues, they are allowed to participate in the initial phase of a pursuit so must be on blues.

You are right, it does vary from force to force, and not all forces allow standard drivers to be involved in pursuit ? the 2009 ACPO pursuit manual gives clear guidance as to who can and cannot be involved in a pursuit either initial phase or tactical phase, and each force makes their own decision, only around 50% of forces allow standard drivers to pursue, but that is not to say it doesnt happen in most. The term used to be called a "follow" but now it must be deemed to be a pursuit, the term follow has been removed.

I joined in the late 70's and was only trained to do response in 96, prior to that, there was no formalised training.

mikey72

Happychappy wrote: »

You have summed up why they have local responders ? they are local, and shouldnt need to respond on blue lights and are untrained, but we also have them whizzing around.

Fair enough, if I have a heart attack, I'd like then to "whizz" over on blues and twos. If you don't, make sure they know, maybe they'll walk to you.

rev_henry

gingerdad wrote: »

not sure not involved in that but agreed with VOSA/DVLA and police along the line of lifeboat haulage as it will be but not certain ...

Ah yes, the law states that if you don't have a trailer licence (i.e. took your test after Feb 2001 I think) you can still tow anything provided its sole purpose is to carry a lifeboat, so that would make sense.

DaveMacD

It was earlier than that. January 1st '97. I know that because I was 15 days too late to get full trailer entitlement.