Private Ambulance breaking red lights at speed.

cocoshovel

buzzman wrote: »

Nothing to suggest that at all if it's a Dublin based PTS wagon.

It was actually Waterford, not that it overly matters what city it was.

What's to say they weren't doing a critical care transport?

Nothing. I dont know what they were doing and Im not trying to ridicule them or anything, just curious to what they could be involved in. Is there room for a bed in one of them or is it just all seats?

Pataman

That means that the bomb squad is also legally excluded from lights and sirens

Mycroft H

cocoshovel wrote: »

It was actually Waterford, not that it overly matters what city it was.



Nothing. I dont know what they were doing and Im not trying to ridicule them or anything, just curious to what they could be involved in. Is there room for a bed in one of them or is it just all seats?

I'd imagine there would be a stretcher in them, there would be room enough.

Mr Simpson

Pataman wrote: »

That means that the bomb squad is also legally excluded from lights and sirens

Which, I imagine, is why they always have a Garda escort

Tango Alpha 51

Coco,
Depending on the model, usually have 2 stretchers & seating for up to 4 walking patients. Different divisions within the NAS use these vehicles in different ways. The 10 version of the PTS bus has only 1 strecther & 2 seats (identical to the configuration of an emergency ambulance hence their not practical as a PTS wagon), whereas the new ones coming online look like our WAs vehicles but with out the blue lights on the roof, also the new ones take 2 stretchers & have the seating again for up to 4 people.

TylerIE

Deleted User wrote: »

Sure where's the fun in that? Lights and sirens all the way!



I do think green lights should be covered by law and should grant additional road privileges (ability to break red lights when safe to do so, etc.) but the drivers of the cars should have to successfully complete an advanced driving course of some kind first.


Only ever seen the local Doctor on Call on green lights once, and that was for a photograph. Must say though, it actually didn't look too bad, and it stood out. I wouldn't be completely against assigning colours to each service (as in the USA, for example). Blue to Garda/Coast Guard, Green to Ambulance and red to fire service.

Though it's probably a little unnecessary at this stage.

There was talk of specific colours a few years ago as part of CEN requirements but it never materialised. Something similar to Spain wtih your suggested combination except amber for ambulance - but I believe it was felt nobody would ever pay attention to an amber light.

The new Doctor on Call vehicles in the NE have no green lights. It may be as HIQA may have stated that that green lights have no legal standing. They have kept the wig-wag headlights and some weird roof box but no greens. Ive seen them on greens before when in convoy with AGS or HSE or responding to real emergencies and they did look smart. They also were quite fussy about their drivers getting advanced training.

As for those coroners ambulances, I suggest anybody concerned would contact AGS regarding any instances of dangerous driving by any vehicle. I have seen certain vehicles with green lights behaving in ludicrous ways in South County Dublin.

cocoshovel wrote: »

Saw a "patient transport" ambulance flying through traffic on blues and two's yesterday. What type of emergency would that be attending?

This kind of one.

Those ambulances are generally equipped similar to emergency ambulances (And indeed may have extra standard household plugs for ICU / CCU etc patients who have numerous pumps / etc) and if owned by a private service may be contracted by the HSE or a Private Hospital to provide emergency transports. IF its a HSE vehicle it may be used for critical transports, or indeed emergency calls if the crew are appropriately trained.

Keith186

I came to this forum to have a look to see was there any complaints of bad driving.

Just earlier at 19.25 Northbound on the M50 (near Ballymun exit I think) I had an ambulance, very similar to the one above but newer looking and it had a distinctive fixed blue light near the bottom at the back when the sirens were on, anyway, it started tailgating me and driving fairly close behind me by only a few meters at 120 km/h.

I was in the right hand lane overtaking a lot of drivers in the middle lane at a decent pace so I couldn't move in between them to let him past. I took my foot of the accelerator to slow down a little and speed up to get him further back from me.

Then he started flashing me and driving closer and when he couldn't bully me out of the way by doing that he threw on the sirens. All the cars in the middle lane slowed down and some moved into the left lane then so I had room and I moved in. The old guy driving the ambulance then overtook me and a bunch of cars and turned off the sirens and sped off at about 140/150 km/h. I seen him at the very end of the M50 heading onto the round about and he was bombing it through the amber lights onto the round about (with no sirens).

I was surprised to see an ambulance driver of all people tailgating other drivers. As well as doing that, it was obvious to all the drivers that he was only using the sirens to get where he was going quicker and that there was no emergency. Some mightn't get out of his way the next time if they see ambulance drivers taking the piss doing this.

I would have reported him for tailgating and abuse of the sirens but I couldn't get his reg plate because when he was going past with the sirens on there were cars slowing down and changing lanes to get out of his was quickly so I had to keep my eyes on everything else.

cocoshovel

I recently noticed that a HSE ambulance had a "hows my driving" sticker and a number to call on the back of it. Keep an eye for that next time.
on the other hand, call the gardai to report it. Its not like they're immune to the law and it doesnt matter if you dont have a reg. Deserved to be reported imo

TylerIE

cocoshovel wrote: »

I recently noticed that a HSE ambulance had a "hows my driving" sticker and a number to call on the back of it. Keep an eye for that next time.
on the other hand, call the gardai to report it. Its not like they're immune to the law and it doesnt matter if you dont have a reg. Deserved to be reported imo

I would be quite surprised if that was a HSE vehicle.

A certain private service which uses vehicles and livery with a great similarity to that of the HSE has the "Hows my Driving" Stickers on some of their vehicles. This services identity is not always obvious - on some of their vehicles it is only shown on the side with the text of the company name and a logo.

cocoshovel

TylerIE wrote: »

I would be quite surprised if that was a HSE vehicle.

A certain private service which uses vehicles and livery with a great similarity to that of the HSE has the "Hows my Driving" Stickers on some of their vehicles. This services identity is not always obvious - on some of their vehicles it is only shown on the side with the text of the company name and a logo.

The ambulance I saw it on did look a bit strange. It was a mercedes, similar to the HSE one.

This one I think. http://www.ukemergency.co.uk/ambulance/dscd0414.jpg

TylerIE

cocoshovel wrote: »

The ambulance I saw it on did look a bit strange. It was a mercedes, similar to the HSE one.

This one I think. http://www.ukemergency.co.uk/ambulance/dscd0414.jpg

Some private firms in Ireland have ambulances with the "box" on the back similar to the one in your picture.

Mycroft H

Keith186 wrote: »

I came to this forum to have a look to see was there any complaints of bad driving.

Just earlier at 19.25 Northbound on the M50 (near Ballymun exit I think) I had an ambulance, very similar to the one above but newer looking and it had a distinctive fixed blue light near the bottom at the back when the sirens were on, anyway, it started tailgating me and driving fairly close behind me by only a few meters at 120 km/h.

I was in the right hand lane overtaking a lot of drivers in the middle lane at a decent pace so I couldn't move in between them to let him past. I took my foot of the accelerator to slow down a little and speed up to get him further back from me.

Then he started flashing me and driving closer and when he couldn't bully me out of the way by doing that he threw on the sirens. All the cars in the middle lane slowed down and some moved into the left lane then so I had room and I moved in. The old guy driving the ambulance then overtook me and a bunch of cars and turned off the sirens and sped off at about 140/150 km/h. I seen him at the very end of the M50 heading onto the round about and he was bombing it through the amber lights onto the round about (with no sirens).

I was surprised to see an ambulance driver of all people tailgating other drivers. As well as doing that, it was obvious to all the drivers that he was only using the sirens to get where he was going quicker and that there was no emergency. Some mightn't get out of his way the next time if they see ambulance drivers taking the piss doing this.

I would have reported him for tailgating and abuse of the sirens but I couldn't get his reg plate because when he was going past with the sirens on there were cars slowing down and changing lanes to get out of his was quickly so I had to keep my eyes on everything else.

Was he using blue lights at any stage? I presume he was if the sirens went on. The sirens are only an addition to the blue lights in emergency transport.

However lets not jump to conclusions here.

There will be cases where people will abuse the blue lights, thats a given.

And there is cases where siren usage will be minimised for patient comfort and safety and only used to clear junctions and stubborn traffic.

Keith186

BX 19 wrote: »

Was he using blue lights at any stage? I presume he was if the sirens went on. The sirens are only an addition to the blue lights in emergency transport.

However lets not jump to conclusions here.

There will be cases where people will abuse the blue lights, thats a given.

And there is cases where siren usage will be minimised for patient comfort and safety and only used to clear junctions and stubborn traffic.

He only used the lights/sirens at the same time together. Definite case of abusing them.

I'm more pissed off a supposedly trained driver was dangerously tailgating me. To be honest if he had of just put the blue lights on in the first place and not tailgated me I wouldn't have minded so much and I would have made more of an effort to get out of his way.

Turner

Keith186 wrote: »

I came to this forum to have a look to see was there any complaints of bad driving.

Just earlier at 19.25 Northbound on the M50 (near Ballymun exit I think) I had an ambulance, very similar to the one above but newer looking and it had a distinctive fixed blue light near the bottom at the back when the sirens were on, anyway, it started tailgating me and driving fairly close behind me by only a few meters at 120 km/h.

I was in the right hand lane overtaking a lot of drivers in the middle lane at a decent pace so I couldn't move in between them to let him past. I took my foot of the accelerator to slow down a little and speed up to get him further back from me.

Then he started flashing me and driving closer and when he couldn't bully me out of the way by doing that he threw on the sirens. All the cars in the middle lane slowed down and some moved into the left lane then so I had room and I moved in. The old guy driving the ambulance then overtook me and a bunch of cars and turned off the sirens and sped off at about 140/150 km/h. I seen him at the very end of the M50 heading onto the round about and he was bombing it through the amber lights onto the round about (with no sirens).

I was surprised to see an ambulance driver of all people tailgating other drivers. As well as doing that, it was obvious to all the drivers that he was only using the sirens to get where he was going quicker and that there was no emergency. Some mightn't get out of his way the next time if they see ambulance drivers taking the piss doing this.

I would have reported him for tailgating and abuse of the sirens but I couldn't get his reg plate because when he was going past with the sirens on there were cars slowing down and changing lanes to get out of his was quickly so I had to keep my eyes on everything else.

Unless you were in the ambulance or listening to his radio you don't know what job he was on or how urgent it was.

Garda drivers in marked vehicles are trained on how to get people to move out of the way on motorways / dual carriage ways. They are trained to make progress through all traffic conditions.

They drive slightly to the right of the car they are closely following so their lights shine brightly in the persons right wing mirror.

This might seem like tailgating or dangerous to an untrained driver but as I said unless you are in the es vehicle or listening to their radio you don't know whats going on... At all.

alexlyons

Was just typing a post and turner posted.

My opinion is that whatever you think the driver is doing, be it tailgating, abusing the sirens and lights or whatever, get out of there way immediately when it is safe. You have no idea what the situation is and seconds count in emergency situations.

Make a complaint later if you wish, but allow them through. If you do, you may well save someones life. You can never be certain it's not an emergency, never.

Keith186

Turner wrote: »

Unless you were in the ambulance or listening to his radio you don't know what job he was on or how urgent it was.

Garda drivers in marked vehicles are trained on how to get people to move out of the way on motorways / dual carriage ways. They are trained to make progress through all traffic conditions.

They drive slightly to the right of the car they are closely following so their lights shine brightly in the persons right wing mirror.

This might seem like tailgating or dangerous to an untrained driver but as I said unless you are in the es vehicle or listening to their radio you don't know whats going on... At all.

The point is though he was driving up my ass for ages. The first port of call should be to put on the blue lights if it's an emergency. Far easier than doing what he did. The way it all went it was pretty obvious it wasn't an emergency.



alexlyons - I'll always get out of the way if it's an emergency and they have the sirens & blue lights on.

cocoshovel

Are you sure it was a HSE ambulance?

stretch00

Dear God, how silly things get out of hand.

1) No HSE ambulance has a sticker on it that says hows my driving.

2) If it was a HSE ambulance behind you there are a variety of reasons why they may have driven the way they did, all are operationally sound and I don't feel the need to explain them. Any other ES people here will understand them.

3) The obvious question, why were you driving in the right hand lane, if your post is accurate you were not overtaking, either that or you failed to plan your manouvere and read the road before doing so.

Please, by all means ask questions, but do not pass judgement or comment on things you obviously do not understand. Thats what we have politicians for......

Happy new year all.

Keith186

stretch00 wrote: »

Dear God, how silly things get out of hand.

1) No HSE ambulance has a sticker on it that says hows my driving.

2) If it was a HSE ambulance behind you there are a variety of reasons why they may have driven the way they did, all are operationally sound and I don't feel the need to explain them. Any other ES people here will understand them.

3) The obvious question, why were you driving in the right hand lane, if your post is accurate you were not overtaking, either that or you failed to plan your manouvere and read the road before doing so.

Please, by all means ask questions, but do not pass judgement or comment on things you obviously do not understand. Thats what we have politicians for......

Happy new year all.

1. I'm not sure if it had a sticker or not.

2. This was not an operationally sound way to drive an ambulance. Common sense should prevail and the blue lights should come on earlier instead of getting the ambulance into a dangerous tailgating scenario.
If you were there and seen it you would believe me, not all ES drivers stick to their rules and training. If you believe that then they must also train you to use blue lights and sirens as a last resort!

3. I was overtaking a long line of cars. I did plan my maneuver which was to overtake all the cars which I was doing at a decent pace, not going 2-3 km/h faster than them like some drivers. I'm well aware of my driving and what lane I should be driving in. I'd be the first person to let someone know to get out of the right hand lane if they aren't overtaking.

Please don't come on here commenting on things you obviously don't understand (especially since you weren't there), but by all means ask questions.


I simply came on here to criticise an ES driver because I believe they should know better than other drivers how not to drive. They aren't beyond criticism are they? I had a feeling I might have some posters who will defend them to the death though.