Law and the Ambulance Driver

What is the hierarchy of road users?

• Pedestrians

• Horse Riders

• Cyclists

• Horse drawn carriages and motorcycles

• Cars and taxis

• Minibuses and vans

• LGVs and large passenger vehicles

What are the four legal driving standards requirements?

• Full valid driving license for vehicle being driven

• Fitness to drive

• Vision

• Vehicle condition

What are categories of driving offences?

• Dangerous driving

• Careless driving

• Inconsiderate driving

What is Section 19?

• Part of road safety act 2006

• All drivers must be reassessed every 5 years to demonstrate can comply with High Speed Driving Regulations and Emergency Response Driving and Training

• Failure to comply result in individuals being removed from driving duties

What must we remember about legal exemptions?

• They are NOT a right, only claimed by staff who have successfully completed necessary training

• Can only be applied when justified by official use of ambulance at that time

• Some exemptions can be claimed with all categories of patients, some only claimed whilst engaged on emergencies

• Other common ambulance driving activities are subject to TROs

What MUST apply when claiming an exemption?

• If observation of that law would lead to suffering of patient

• All exemptions must be safe, legal and justifiable

• The driver and Trust are obliged at affordable at all times the maximum protection to other road users

Prior to exercising an exemption what 5 questions must you ask yourself?

• Is the vehicle suitable?

• Does nature of call justify any exemption claimed?

• Can I justify use/non use of vehicle’s warning equipment?

• What intrusion is the emergency creating to local communities?

• What is the public perception of the actions I take?

What are exemptions we have for any category of patients? (Non-emergency but on the cad or patient related duties)

• Parking within controlled (zig-zag) of pedestrian crossing

• Parking within controlled areas of double white lines

• Leaving engine running whilst unattended

• Parking on offside during hours of darkness

• Parking at designated bus stop

• Double parking

• Parking across a dropped kerb

• Parking within yellow zig-zag markings at schools, entrances etc.

What are exemptions we have for emergency response calls?

• Travelling on the incorrect side of a ‘keep left’ or ‘keep right’ sign (pedestrian crossings, roundabouts, traffic lights)

• Exceeding statutory speed limits

• Red light as ‘give way’

• Use of audible warning instruments at night on restricted road between 2330-0700

• Stop within a yellow box junction

• Driving in mandatory with-flow cycle lanes

• Parking or driving on a cycle track

• Motorway regulations

What are we never exempt for?

• Careless, inconsiderate or dangerous driving offences

What are TROs?

• Addition to exemptions

• Used by borough councils to place restrictions on traffic within their areas

• Without exemption, criminal offence to contravene TRO

What exemptions do we have under the Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) of most boroughs?

• Stopping on clear way

• Parking on central reservation

• Bus lanes

• Tram routes

• Parking in areas controlled by double red or yellow lines (emergency only)

• Pedestrian precincts

• Low emission zones

When can we use bus lanes?

• Can use for non-emergency or patient related and emergency categories of patients

When can we use cycle superhighways?

• Cat 1 and Cat 2 calls only

• Must be done as last option with extreme care

How must we pass through traffic light junctions on exemption?

• Fast walking space

• Early positioning to indicate route

• Use all warning equipment

• Must NOT

  • Proceed unless way is clear

  • Cause danger to any other road user

  • Cause any other road user to alter course or speed

What is holding back and when must we do it?

• If no path available at traffic light junctions, MUST stop short of junction (6 car spaces behind) and:

  • Consider turning off audible and visual warning equipment to prevent any vehicle in front from entering junction

  • If vehicle enters junction, all warning equipment must be turned back on to provide them with maximum protection

How must we pass through pedestrian crossings while on exemption?

• Must give precedence to any pedestrians crossing road on any part of carriageway, including central reservation not forming part of staggered crossing

• Do NOT proceed in way to cause danger to pedestrians or vehicles approaching or waiting at the crossing

• Do NOT cause vehicle to change speed or direction to avoid any accident

How must we pass through give ways while on exemption?

• Do NOT enter in way likely to cause danger to vehicle on it or collision with it

• Do NOT cause vehicle on major road to change course or speed

• Do NOT pass the ‘give way’ lines

What 3 exemptions do we have to removing our seat belts when the vehicle is moving?

• Reversing

• Proving treatment which cannot be delayed

• Valid medical exemption certificate

When does the law permit using mobile communications while the vehicle is moving?

• Hands free

• Fist mike

• Use of mobile phone to make emergency call if unsafe to stop

What are some important ‘NON-exemptions’?

• Never use contra-flow bus lane

• Always stop following an RTC

• Obey alternation flashing traffic lights (e.g. level crossing, airfield)

• Never cross or straddle solid white lines

• Obey a No Entry Sign

• Obey a One Way Traffic sign

• Obey any other instructional sign

What is the 10MPH BAP mnemonic for remembering when you can cross a solid white line?

1 - Turning right

0 - Stationary vehicle

M - Maintenance vehicle

P - Pedal Cycle

H - Horse

B - Beyond your control

A - Avoid an accident

P - Police officer directing

Why MUST we do VDIs?

• To ensure vehicle is:

  • Safe for their intended use

  • Are roadworthy

  • Comply with all road traffic law

  • Satisfy all health and safety legislation

  • Set a good example to other road users

What items must be checked as part of VDI?

• Exterior examination

• Wheels and tryes

• Under bonnet checks

• Lights and reflectors

• Glass, wipers washers

• Audible warning equipment and exhaust

• Ambulance specific equipment

Why MUST you do a PDC?

• Ensures familiar with location and means of operating vehicle controls

• Reduce driver fatigue and enhance vehicle safety

What are the steps of the PDC?

• Check handbrake and gear

• Adjust seat and wheel

• Adjust mirrors

• Perform starting procedure

• Static brake test

• Auxiliary controls

• Check seat belts and doors

• Mobile brake test

What is an RTC?

• Road traffic collision - accident involving mechanically propelled vehicle on road or public are which causes:

  • Injury or damage to anybody other than driver of that vehicle

  • Injury or damage to an animal other than one being carried on vehicle

  • Damage to a vehicle - other than the vehicle which caused the accident

  • Damage to property

• Or also

  • A person who trips/falls in or in close proximity to vehicle

  • Vicinity only (RTC only happened due to our presence)

  • Alleged RTCs

What must you do if involved in an RTC?

• Stop

• Give name and (ambulance station) address

• Give vehicle owner’s name an address (LAS)

• Registration number and insurance details to anyone having reasonable grounds for requiring them

• If do NOT give name and address at time of collision, you MUST report as soon as reasonably practicable and in any case within 24 hours

What forms do you fill out for LAS RTCs?

• LA420 Traffic Collision Report Form

• LA171 Attendant’s Collision Report

What form do you fill out if you find a vehicle defect?

• Vehicle defect book

  • If defect but stills drivable, fill out page and hand to fitters

  • If not drive able, place other side of book on windscreen (NOT DRIVABLE)

What button must you press if involved in RTC?

• UDS button

What must you keep in mind if involved in an RTC with an Alternatively Fuelled Vehicle (AFV)?

• Fire or submersion may present hazards including:

  • Release of flammable and toxic gases

  • Fuel cell or battery explosion

  • Leaks from fuel cells

• If involved in or attending with an AFV, EOC contacted for LFB to attend

When will Driving Standards be involved?

• Involved in a serious RTC

• Two responsible collisions in any 6 month period

• Any three collisions in a 12 month period; or any reversing collisions

What category will Driving Standards consider camera/speed light activations by an ambulance?

• Driving of standard so bas as to be apparently dangerous driving where no obvious exemption applied

• Unacceptable driving standard, even though exemption applies

• Acceptable standard of driving, obvious exemption applies