Rapid Response Hearse

supermedic

Can anyone from AGS let me know how it is legal, or morally correct for a number of funeral directors firm to fly around the city in mercedes vans with private ambulance on the side and green bar beacons and sirens. I am aware that they do some state coroners work, but what justification can there be for using lights and sirens to go to or come from collecting a body. How would the driver be treated by the law in the event of an accident and how might a member of the public fare out if they were involved in an accident while avoiding such a vehicle.

Random

The answer I've been given many times is that green lights mean nothing. Treat them as you would any other vehicle but respect they may need to get somewhere faster than you for a reason and let them past if possible.

As for a hearse .. I have no idea ..

DubMedic

supermedic wrote: »

Can anyone from AGS let me know how it is legal, or morally correct for a number of funeral directors firm to fly around the city in mercedes vans with private ambulance on the side and green bar beacons and sirens. I am aware that they do some state coroners work, but what justification can there be for using lights and sirens to go to or come from collecting a body. How would the driver be treated by the law in the event of an accident and how might a member of the public fare out if they were involved in an accident while avoiding such a vehicle.

This is a matter for the law forum, IMO.
Vehicles such as this one are not an Emergency Services Vehicle.

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Mike...

DubMedic wrote: »

This is a matter for the law forum, IMO.
Vehicles such as this one are not an Emergency Services Vehicle.

.

what about westdoc green lights but they cover remote regions with little or no emergency medical services

Mike...

DubMedic wrote: »

This is a matter for the law forum, IMO.
Vehicles such as this one are not an Emergency Services Vehicle.

.

what about westdoc green lights but they cover remote regions with little or no emergency medical services

DubMedic

Mike... wrote: »

what about westdoc green lights but they cover remote regions with little or no emergency medical services

I was referring to 'private ambulance' type vehicles that are used to carry the deceased.
I am fully aware that some places do not have adequate cover, but this is not what the topic is about.

.

Trojan911

supermedic wrote: »

How would the driver be treated by the law in the event of an accident and how might a member of the public fare out if they were involved in an accident while avoiding such a vehicle.

Same as anyone else. They leave themselves open to prosecution. They are not above the law. If you see something that you would consider dangerous, report it.

Mike...

Mike... wrote: »

what about westdoc green lights but they cover remote regions with little or no emergency medical services

Westdoc is excatly what it says it is, a doctor. They are NOT an emergency service vehicle and have no excemption from the Road Traffic Act. However if one comes up behind you with the green lights on, let it by as it is probably on the way to a serious call.

TheNog

supermedic wrote: »

Can anyone from AGS let me know how it is legal, or morally correct for a number of funeral directors firm to fly around the city in mercedes vans with private ambulance on the side and green bar beacons and sirens. I am aware that they do some state coroners work, but what justification can there be for using lights and sirens to go to or come from collecting a body. How would the driver be treated by the law in the event of an accident and how might a member of the public fare out if they were involved in an accident while avoiding such a vehicle.

Vehicles with green lights and even carrying/using sirens have no basis or exemptions in traffic law therefore the driver of these vehicles are bound by the laws as everyone else.

If you were involved in a collision while trying to avoid one of these vehicles, then you need to report it immediately to Gardai for an investigation. There could be allegation of dangerous driving.

jmccoy

Is there any sane reason why doctors cannot be authorised to use blue lights while on an emergency run. In all fairness if a doctor is travelling on greens it must be serious and life threatening. The law should be changed in my opinion as it is not reflective of current needs.

trad

Simple solution- check the tax disc and see if it is classified as an ambulance. As far as I know there is no definition of ambulance under the RTA. So if it's taxed as an ambulance it's an ambulance. Green lights, thats another issue.

brayblue24

Gotta agree with the others here. If they want to get by they can wait and do it safely like anyone else. The issue of driver training for high speeds might be topical too. We had something similar with the green lights issue in these parts a while ago and it turned out your man had no medical qualifications whatsoever. Think his name was Dr. Nick Riviera or something.

No blue lights no credence as far as I'm concerned.