New Job - Blue Light Trained

[TheCatSatOnTh...]

My new job wants to put me through the local Ambulance Service's blue light training scheme to get me able to drive under blue lights. To me being naive about such things, I can't help but think there's more to being legal under blue lights than having the appropriate training. There must be legal exemptions but how do I find out if I'd be covered.

Any experts in such matter put my mind at rest. I can't see the acceptable answer to "Why were you doing 90mph" as being "But Officer, I have a flashing blue light!"

Thanks

[Ste]

What is your new job?

[c_dug]

A brief google throws up this list:

[Mark_F]

Surely the questions you have could be asked when doing the training? It would make sense... no?

[map]

Bear in mind you may be allowed to exceed the posted speed limit but if you cross solid white lines then you're nicked!
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[Skudd]

All will be covered in your training.
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Famous last words of Humpty Dumpty. " Stop pushing me "
Petty Anarchists look at "1984".............. The Visionary looks at "Animal Farm".

[yen_powell]

Special forces exemption has to be included in all traffic regulation orders now, including speed limits.
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Blackmail is a nasty word........but not as nasty as phlegm!
XT1200Z and a DR350 in bits

[JP7]

There are three main exemptions for emergency drivers, which are:

1) Exemption from speed limits

2) Exemption from stopping at a red traffic light (it's to be treated as a Give Way)

3) Exemption from keep left/keep right bollards.

They can only be used "if not to use them would impede the reason for which the vehicle is being used," or words to that effect. In other words, only use them if you need them.

If you use an exemption and a collision occurs, as a general rule you'll be the one in trouble.

[Nexus Icon]

[-LG-]

[krarkol]

I've seen blood cars/bikes with blue lights. Don't think they can go over the speed limit though!

Pretty much just like normal traffic except traffic moves out the way for you IF they are switched on enough to spot the bright blue lights
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Bandit 600 - deaded

[Furrybiker]

[Aff]

[krarkol]

[metalangel]

[krarkol]

[Llama-Farmer]

[TheCatSatOnTh...]

I found the answer to my question. I'd be working as an ambulance service contractor and that's where I'd get the exemption from.

[Rogerborg]

[-Matt-]

[Andy S]

I am a blood bike rider for a charity (SERV).

There is no striaght answer for us, it depends which group you ride for.

My group, although we have a few marked bikes with blue lights on, they are for display/publicity use only.
We are not blue light trained and our insurance does not cover us if they were used.
(That even applies to some volunteers who are current serving traffic police motorcyclists)

But, some groups around the country do have blue light training and are exempt.

We can not technically take an "emergency" run, as that requires a blue light run (so is done via an ambulance), we take up to and including "Urgent".

Some groups can do the emergency runs.

That said, we have just become an independant charity (having been part of national SERV), and one of the things being looked at is getting riders blue light trained and getting appropriate insurance.

[Rogerborg]

[sickpup]

There is no training requirement for Blue light use, the act was never made law.

Insurance companies don't like Blue light users, they assume rightly they will drive like twats so charge them as such.

Incidentally the PDF Matt refers to is massively out of date, assumed the act would be enacted, that the hospital doesn't hold stocks/have fridges and would have been revised every 3-6 months after being written. This is obvious by referring to the National Blood Service NOT the NHSBT as it is now generally called.

[Rogerborg]

[Llama-Farmer]