"I found an ambulance quite moving" blog discussion

wantsajob

Do not go through a red light to allow an ambulance to pass though, big mistake! See http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showtopic=25519

chrissie52

Glad it's not just me.;) Have always shifted pretty quick for emergency vehicles but having travelled in the back of a 'blue light' ambulance with my father who had already been pulled back from a heart attack twice before they got him into it, I now find myself cursing people that don't get out of the way quick enough!;) 'There but for...' as the saying goes. Have to say too, the pc that attended ( I reckon they thought it was sudden death situation:o)after I rang 999, went on ahead and stopped traffic at roundabouts etc. What a team the emergency services are! Told my Dad he missed all the best bits...:rotfl:

Paul_Varjak

wantsajob wrote: »

Do not go through a red light to allow an ambulance to pass though, big mistake! See http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showtopic=25519

On that basis, every time a police car, fire engine or ambulance goes through a red light the driver should get fined too. The fact is, they do not; I think the worst that happen (should the CPS decided to prosecute) is an absolute discharge.

I recall doing the very same thing once - at the traffic lights near Cambridge Fire Station. I used to work at that Fire Station and I know that they can control those very traffic lights. Why they did not do so on that occasion was beyond me. If they knew it was me driving the car the fireman would have hardly forgiven me if I had not moved out of the way, would he?

I must admit, after reading that article, I would never go through a red light again

wantsajob

Paul_Varjak wrote: »

On that basis, every time a police car, fire engine or ambulance goes through a red light the driver should get fined too. The fact is, they do not; I think the worst that happen (should the CPS decided to prosecute) is an absolute discharge.

Emergency services vehicles are exempt from the law, and I believe can also break the speed limit too. Joe public is not exempt. It seems like a reasonable thing to do to allow an ambulance etc past, but I am sure there has been more than one case like that where someone received a fine (usually from a traffic signal camera), thought the ambulance was an extenuating circumstance and lost the case in court. This is unusual as when you see the TV programmes with cameras inside ambulances they're generally mouthing off when people don't go through red lights to let them through, presumably thinking the driver of the vehicle is too thick to realise there's an ambulance with a siren and flashing lights behind them.

callum9999

wantsajob wrote: »

Do not go through a red light to allow an ambulance to pass though, big mistake! See http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showtopic=25519

That rarely happens though.

And I must say, I would personally be more interested in making sure the person in the ambulance gets treated ok instead of worrying about the financial implications of it. But that's just me...

Owain_Moneysaver

neenaww wrote: »

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

You need bull bars on the front of the ambo ;-)

wantsajob

callum9999 wrote: »

That rarely happens though.

And I must say, I would personally be more interested in making sure the person in the ambulance gets treated ok instead of worrying about the financial implications of it. But that's just me...

It's not *just* a financial implication though, it is making the behaviour criminalised the same way as speeding and using a mobile phone at the wheel is. It is a fine, not a toll on how much you care to stop for the lights.

I suspect if all traffic lights had signal cameras every time someone went through to allow an ambulance to get past, they would get a fine, and the situation would finally be clarified for all.

callum9999

wantsajob wrote: »

It's not *just* a financial implication though, it is making the behaviour criminalised the same way as speeding and using a mobile phone at the wheel is. It is a fine, not a toll on how much you care to stop for the lights.

I suspect if all traffic lights had signal cameras every time someone went through to allow an ambulance to get past, they would get a fine, and the situation would finally be clarified for all.

A fine is still a "financial implication". As I said, I value life above money - pity so many don't. (I know it's not as straightforward as that and most people, you included, do care to a degree).

tealady

ailey wrote: »

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

I second this. The emergency services are there to help us, it is only fair we should help them in any way we can.

arthur2

I know exactly what Martin means, and I still think of my experience (below) when I see a blue light and/or hear a siren.

I have the greatest respect for our emergency ambulance drivers/paramedics/technicians, having almost certainly been saved from death by them six years ago, when I had a dissected thoracic aortic aneurysm which was apparently close to rupturing. (I understand that after such a rupture one might live 20 minutes or so). In my case I was picked up by ambulance car within just a couple of minutes of calling 999; they first sedated me, which was probably the most important initial action, administered oxygen and then called for a proper "box" emergency ambulance to meet them. The last few miles to the A&E were in that. I was then stabilized properly and later transferred to another hospital for surgery to replace the aorta with a terylene (Dacron) one. I don't know whether they had the siren on for the later transfer, as I was unconscious and remained so for some time.

Since then I have made numerous trips in Patient Transport Service "ambulances" (non-emergency), and the change from the local Trust to a private company resulted in seriously poorer service, and I wonder how much it saved, as the ambulances involved all seemed to be replaced immediately. Many of the Patient Transport drivers were seriously disillusioned by the changes.

God bless them all - and the doctors/nurses/others too...