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[Taxi_Driver]

Approaching traffic lights today..

Heard sirens.......but couldnt see where they where coming from....

My hearing is not 100% and sometimes with sirens cannot tell the direction.....

I saw an Ambulance approaching the lights going opposite way to me....but no blues flashing....so double checked mirror to see if it was coming up behind me.....Nothing....But might have been coming left or right of the traffic lights.........couldnt see built up area....

Approached the lights and the ambulance coming towards me turned across the junction in front of me......he ran a red light........my side was green.....lucky i could stop in time!!

He didnt have his blue lights flashing!!.......Just sirens going......What a muppet!!........

If we did hit.......i think i would been in the right coz he ran a red light.......plus the fact he didnt have his blues flashing.......

Interested to see what H21 thinks of this  :-/

[LJay]

My hearing isn't great and i really struggle with direction of sound too! I really rely on the visual flashing lights and would have struggled in the same situation.

[Jimbob]

I think they never have right of way when breaking rules of the road.

It is just assumed you will try and keep out their way.

[Lazydocker]

Even with his blues flashing I believe you would "technically" be in the right... I think they jump lights at their own discretion... :-/ :-/

[edit]Must type faster [/edit]

[Mr Skrunts]

I think they never have right of way when breaking rules of the road.

It is just assumed you will try and keep out their way.

They have to abide by the rules, regs and laws of the road too.  As you say it's assumed we will move out of the way to assist.

[Auto Addict]

I may be wrong, but I believe ambulance drivers don't have the advanced driver training that the police and firemen have.

[Andy B]

Didn't this just go to court? I can't now find the case, but I'm sure they prosecuted him.

[Debs.]

My hearing isn't great and i really struggle with direction of sound too! I really rely on the visual flashing lights and would have struggled in the same situation.

Wasn`t there a 'special' type of directional-wailer tried on emergency vehicles a couple of years ago; it contained tones/cadences giving clues to speed and direction to help people with hearing difficulties.......did it work?

[theolodian]

In the states if the sirens are on and you aren't stopped you are automatically at fault if you have an accident with an emergency vehicle.  If you hear sirens, don't enter the intersection!

OTOH, I was in Manchester last week and a police van turned on its siren as we were both 10' from the intersection.  I went full ABS to miss him.  Moron!  

[shyboy]

I think they never have right of way when breaking rules of the road.

It is just assumed you will try and keep out their way.

[/highlight]

But be very careful! If, for example, you are waiting at a red light and pull aside over the line to make way, you can technically be prosecuted for running a red light. I believe there have been cases were this has actually been carried out; (camera evidence etc).

[woodsy_mv6]

I think they never have right of way when breaking rules of the road.

It is just assumed you will try and keep out their way.

[/highlight]

But be very careful! If, for example, you are waiting at a red light and pull aside over the line to make way, you can technically be prosecuted for running a red light. I believe there have been cases were this has actually been carried out; (camera evidence etc).

Bar stewards

[Andy B]

.....
But be very careful! If, for example, you are waiting at a red light and pull aside over the line to make way, you can technically be prosecuted for running a red light. I believe there have been cases were this has actually been carried out; (camera evidence etc).

That happened in Bury a few months back. The driver of the car that 'jumped' the light didn't just through far enough for the copper to pass through. Like a muppet he just carried on his way & was charged.

[Andy B]

In the states if the sirens are on and you aren't stopped you are automatically at fault if you have an accident with an emergency vehicle.  If you hear sirens, don't enter the intersection! .....

Somehow I can't imagine how you could miss the US 'fire trucks'. I saw one in the fesh for the first time the other year. THEY'RE MASSIVE!!!!!

[Phil]

Wasn`t there a 'special' type of directional-wailer tried on emergency vehicles a couple of years ago; it contained tones/cadences giving clues to speed and direction to help people with hearing difficulties.......did it work?

'White Noise Siren' still used a bit, but was never really rolled out country wide, not sure why

[Snips]

I may be wrong, but I believe ambulance drivers don't have the advanced driver training that the police and firemen have.

they still have to do a blue lights course, but not the advanced and aggressive driving courses.