Pulling over for an ambulance
May 25, 2018, 9:38 am
#16
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: London
Posts: 1,117
The Highway Code rule 219:
Emergency and Incident Support vehicles. You should look and listen for ambulances, fire engines, police, doctors or other emergency vehicles using flashing blue, red or green lights and sirens or flashing headlights, or traffic officer and incident support vehicles using flashing amber lights. When one approaches do not panic. Consider the route of such a vehicle and take appropriate action to let it pass, while complying with all traffic signs. If necessary, pull to the side of the road and stop, but try to avoid stopping before the brow of a hill, a bend or narrow section of road. Do not endanger yourself, other road users or pedestrians and avoid mounting the kerb. Do not brake harshly on approach to a junction or roundabout, as a following vehicle may not have the same view as you.
May 25, 2018, 10:43 am
#18
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: YYZ (ex-LHR)
Programs: BA Silver, VS Red, OZ Silver
Posts: 446
It is a very serious traffic offense in Canada. In Ontario, a first offender faces three demerit points and a fine up to $2,000. A second offense within 5 years and you could do 6 months in jail. We also have a "move over" law which requires you to switch to a further lane if possible when going by an emergency vehicle or tow truck that is on the shoulder with its lights flashing.
Road safety: Emergency vehicles
Road safety: Emergency vehicles
I've seen many British people living elsewhere in North America with similar reactions to this requirement.
This is a common misconception. The Highway Code isn't a legal document. It often references the Road Traffic Act, which is, but much of it does not.
May 25, 2018, 11:38 am
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,224
True but where the Highway Code uses MUST or MUST NOT, it references a law and you must comply. Where it uses more suggestive language, then it's an encouragement rather than a requirement. The preamble to the booklet makes this distinction clear. Clearly the majority (perhaps all) of the requirements it references are to the Road Traffic Act, or similar but the Highway Code itself is not a law.
May 27, 2018, 3:32 am
#20
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Flatland
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold 1MM, BA Gold, UA Peon
Posts: 6,111
The best course of action to assist emergency vehicles these days is to stay on a piece of road you're allowed to use and make it easier (by slowing, stopping, changing lane, maintaining speed) for emergency vehicles to pass you.
If the regulatory and enforcement authorities want road users to behave otherwise, they must align the incentives correctly.
May 27, 2018, 4:14 pm
#21
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: LH SEN; BA Gold
Posts: 8,405
1) indicating where you're going.
2) slowing down or stopping until you know where the emergency vehicle is coming from/driving. FWIW they could be driving at high speeds on the wrong side of the road.
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I've witnessed a panda car blocking another panda car. The first car had plenty of room to move aside but didn't while their colleagues in the second car desperately tried to get past.
Jun 5, 2018, 11:38 am
#22
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: UK
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 174
it can be an absolute pain in the arse when somebody stops in a poor place! Response training (the blues and twos training) covers anticipating where people might pull over and reacting accordingly (easing off slightly so they can make the layby, etc), but there's no accounting for the stupidity of some drivers (and that includes both sections of the public and also some emergency services drivers who don't adhere to the training)!
Jun 5, 2018, 11:42 am
#23
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: UK
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 174
id prefer people give some kind of obvious indication that they're aware of my presence, whether that be by indicating nearside and slowing, or coming to a stop where safe to do so... stopping somewhere safe is certainly much preferred, on an appropriate road - on a dual carriageway or motorway just indicate and move across.