"I found an ambulance quite moving" blog discussion

soya

saw this clip :mad: taken from an ambulance cam......

neenaww

If only it always happened like that.... have to say it IS nice when it does but very frustrating for us drivers/paramedics/technicians when it doesnt! Just think, next time the selfish driver wants to keep in front, or "pretends" not to hear the sirens, it could be a relative of theirs inside... and god forbid, one day, they may need the service themselves... I guess then they would expect everyone to be polite and move aside for the ambulance, makes you think doesnt it?!
Thanks Martin x

ailey

soya wrote: »

saw this clip :mad: taken from an ambulance cam......

Just watched the clip and it is shocking how other drivers treat an ambulance trying to get to an emergency or hospital in some other countries. Let's hope the people in the UK always have a respect for emergency services as you would hate to think it would ever get to that stage. You just wonder how these drivers would react if they were the poor person in the ambulance trying to get to hospital urgently and the car drivers wouldn't move to let the ambulance through. Bet as they continue to drive beside or in front of the ambulance they don't put themselves in that other person's shoes.

And yes Martin, I often feel my eyes welling up when I see how caring car drivers can be when they part to allow the ambulances through. Just touches your emotions a bit and nice to see so many of us are touched by this. We sometimes think so many people don't care about anyone but themselves these days and then, when this happens, we realise there are still a lot of caring people around after all. And nothing soppy about it either.

Keep up the good work - to all Paramedics, Ambulance teams and emergency services throughout the UK, whatever your role. You all do a fantastic job and there would be many people not here today if it was not for you and your skills. You need nerves of steel to do your job at times. Feel the love as I and I'm sure many more MSEers send you this as a thank you for everything you do on a day to day basis in your difficult job. :A

ailey

AshleyJane wrote: »

....

Also please remember if you lived in America or other countries where you have to pay for health care there is a flat rate of $650 for the use of an ambulance and the overall cost averaging at $800 for that one trip depending on medical needs and intervention... if you need certain medical attention specifically from a paramedic in america they wont administer it until you can prove your health insurance covers it or you make a payment... on the ambulance...

sometimes in england we really dont appreciate what we have...

And I think we take it all for granted in the UK the fact that we can call an ambulance and no-one needs to worry that they will not be helped by the paramedics as we do not need to worry about having health insurance like the people in America and other countries. This is all we have been used to although older people will remember what it was like before we had the NHS. (I've just checked and it began in 1948 so only around for 62 years). Over the next 20 years we may see changes happening with the problem the NHS is having with funding. I certainly do not see everything staying as easy as it is now for everyone so enjoy what most of us do take for granted and please appreciate how lucky we really are when it comes to health services compared to other countries.

tanith

I hope that the time never comes when our Emergency Services are privatised or even partly so , this is already happening with our Non-Emergency Ambulance Service and its not for the better ....

dave82_2

Doesn't take long for normal behaviour to resume though, as the person behind tries to overtake you as you pull back into the road!

Domain.Rider

I do find annoying the drivers who tailgate emergency vehicles so they can take advantage of everyone else. Quite often if the emergency vehicle were to stop suddenly, they'd go straight into the back of them...

neenaww

Domain.Rider wrote: »

I do find annoying the drivers who tailgate emergency vehicles so they can take advantage of everyone else. Quite often if the emergency vehicle were to stop suddenly, they'd go straight into the back of them...

I have had them follow me through red lights :eek: and even try to go on the wrong side of the road (as our exemptions allow!)

RaceyRichard

foundationsmcr wrote: »

Technically there is nothing in the Highway Code about breaking the law by not pulling over.

"Other vehicles
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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."

So long as you take appropriate action, this means you should not prevent them passing.

Speaking from experience as an advanced driver and once technician, my preferred choice that I wished drivers would consider is to accelerate to keep the traffic moving.

On many occasions have people in the best interest panicked and pulled over or mounted the pavement with the result of others behind becoming stuck resulting in the ambulance to slow down and even stop dependant on the road layout and other traffic thinking the same.

A tip would be to not panic, easier said than done, and to be aware and accelerate safely in direction you are going to keep the journey smooth and continuous allowing the driver to decide when to pass.

Cheers

Racey

ricie1964

I always get a fuzzy feeling in my stomach when I, and others, pull over to make way for an ambulance. I feel as if I'm doing something good, albeit maybe small.
I think all Paramedics, Doctor's and Nurses do a fantastic job, especially those involved in emergency response. I, for one, owe my life to them when they saved me after I haemorraged badly due to a massive ulcer.
When i think what they get payed compared to say, footballers, it all seems so dreadfully wrong.