The Nation's Health

Drivers: Take note

"Imbeciles of various ages driving like muppets"

One of the perks of my job has to be driving. I get to drive a big yellow ambulance through the center of the city at high speed. Well, I say high speed, it's high speed in comparison to the queues of stationary traffic i'm passing but still. To get to jobs quickly and safely it is not about the physical speed you have, but the progress you make. Quick acceleration and rapid breaking doesn't make for a comfortable journey for everyone so anticipation of the road ahead and what other road users will do is key. But this is where the problem lies. You cannot predict what some of this countries worst and best drivers will do when they see blue!

To get a driving licence one must pass a theory test first where questions are asked on every aspect of the highway code. However, on passing the practical test, it appears all previous knowledge as to what to do regarding Emergency vehicles is forgotten. The highway code states:

'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.'

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069858

Every day, on every blue light run, at least one car, van, bus, taxi or pedestrian tries to cause a crash! These near misses are usually just that but sometimes the irratic behaviour of road users causes ambulances to crash, sometimes with a patient on board. I thought i'd compile a 'do not' list just so drivers know what isn't acceptable in the presence of blue lights.

  • Don't stop in the middle of the road
  • Don't put your hazard lights on and continue what you are doing
  • Don't indicate in either direction and continue what you are doing
  • Don't stop in-between a traffic island and the kerb
  • Don't ignore us. We will be overtaking you.
  • Don't speed up and race us. We will be overtaking you.
  • Don't stop in the middle of the road
  • Don't straddle two lanes to block us (it's illegal)
  • Don't swerve left and right
  • Don't continue turning right if we are in the middle of overtaking
  • Don't swear when we overtake you
  • Don't put you arm out the window and wave
  • Don't stop in the middle of the road
  • Don't try and change lane when in stationary traffic
  • Don't stop next to another stopped car
  • Don't block the road
  • Don't tell me to go in the bus lane. I will force you in and make you get a ticket.
  • Don't stop in the middle of the road, indicate left, and move to the right
  • Don't stop in the middle of the road
  • Don't weave through traffic behind us. Ever.
  • Don't run across the road when we are 10ft away.
  • Don't assume we have time to stop
  • Don't stop across a side road. I may need it.
  • Don't jump a red light and speed off.
  • Don't stop in the middle of the road
  • Don't try and get in front of the buses before moving over.
  • Don't berate me for using the 'wrong' side of the road.
  • Don't 'pretend' to run out in front of me. It's not funny.
  • Don't throw things at the windscreen. Someone will die.
  • Don't push your buggy into the road. I get scared.
  • Don't stop in the middle of the road
  • Don't overtake traffic who have already stopped for me.
  • Don't put your fingers in your ears. Its a pet hate of mine.
  • Don't do anything I deem to be stupid.
  • Don't do anything stupid
  • Don't stop in the middle of the road
  • Don't stop in the middle of the road
  • Don't stop in the middle of the road
  • Don't stop in the middle of the road
I'd also like to put the record straight. We NEVER drive on blue lights unless we are on way to a job that has been categorised as suitable for blue lights or we are transporting a critically ill patient to hospital. That is all. We don't use them to get through traffic for our break. We don't get breaks. We don't use them to get off on time. We never get off on time. We also don't put the sirens on to annoy you. We aren't driving through traffic at speed because we want to piss you off. We are doing it because it is necessary. I can't comment on the Police's use of them but for us it is emergencies only.

Click the Take Note photo at the top to see the other posts in the series!