Ambulance Close Pass

[martint235]

Just to be clear, this big, flourescent thing with flashing blue lights didn't suddenly appear out of nowhere?

Although the pass was close, surely there is a case to be answered that the cyclist, knowing there was an emergency vehicle approaching from behind with blue lights on, shouldn't have entered the pinch point in the first place and rather, once aware of the ambulance, should have found a safe place to stop by the side of the road and allowed the ambulance to continue on its merry way unimpeded? Just sayin'

 

[User6179]

Just to be clear, this big, flourescent thing with flashing blue lights didn't suddenly appear out of nowhere?

Although the pass was close, surely there is a case to be answered that the cyclist, knowing there was an emergency vehicle approaching from behind with blue lights on, shouldn't have entered the pinch point in the first place and rather, once aware of the ambulance, should have found a safe place to stop by the side of the road and allowed the ambulance to continue on its merry way unimpeded? Just sayin'

If the Cyclists made a mistake it still does not make it ok for the ambulance driver to put him in danger though .

 

[martint235]

If the Cyclists made a mistake it still does not make it ok for the ambulance driver to put him in danger though .

Didn't say it did. Just saying that the cyclist also bears some responsibility.

 

[Kbrook]

I suspect he didn't use his wailers because he expected the OP to have been aware he was behind and to pull up. If he would have then put the wailers on at the last minute the chances are that would have scared the crap out of the cyclist and the consequences would have been worse.

The ambulance probably should have waited but he thought passing the cyclist a bit close was by far the lesser of two evils. Can't see any point reporting an ambulance driver who is doing the best he can in difficult circumstances with lots of difficult decisions to make, he may just be there to save your life next time some twonk hits you.

 

[benb]

Awful driving. Maybe they were trying to get more business.

Regardless of the emergency, they have a responsibility to drive safely. Way below the standards I would expect from a professional driver.

I had a similar one, not as bad as yours (discussion here, similar people saying the driver was faultless, par for the course!):

 

[LCpl Boiled Egg]

If someone who has (presumably) passed an advanced driving test or at least been on an advanced driving course can't get it right what chance is there for everyone else? In my opinion it needs reporting so the driver doesn't make the same mistake in future.

 

[Turbo Rider]

I suspect he didn't use his wailers because he expected the OP to have been aware he was behind and to pull up. If he would have then put the wailers on at the last minute the chances are that would have scared the crap out of the cyclist and the consequences would have been worse.

The ambulance probably should have waited but he thought passing the cyclist a bit close was by far the lesser of two evils. Can't see any point reporting an ambulance driver who is doing the best he can in difficult circumstances with lots of difficult decisions to make, he may just be there to save your life next time some twonk hits you.

Tend to agree, but the point of reporting the driver is that another rider could have wobbled into him & got themselves squished - if it all filters down properly & the driver gets a reprimand, rather than a way over the top sacking, they might be more considerate next time...

 

[User6179]

Didn't say it did. Just saying that the cyclist also bears some responsibility.

Maybe but the driver could of quite easily peeped the horn to alert the cyclist rather than plough on .

 

[martint235]

Tend to agree, but the point of reporting the driver is that another rider could have wobbled into him & got themselves squished - if it all filters down properly & the driver gets a reprimand, rather than a way over the top sacking, they might be more considerate next time...

And if instead he gets sacked, what then?

 

[Turbo Rider]

And if instead he gets sacked, what then?

Well, he / she might go on a crazy cyclist crushing expedition, I suppose...but I think if they get sacked for mistake like that, they'd probably have a long history of mistakes, so it might be high time anyway.

 

[jarlrmai]

Then he didn't do his job to the standard his employers require.

 

[loother]

Finally managed to watch the vid. Not a pleasant moment at all. Deffo worth reporting to the ambulance trust.


Can't see why the driver would want his wailers on though (they haven't fitted sirens since the 1980s). Hard to be sure but didn't appear to be speeding,were making good progress, no real need to activate the wailers. A car or van squeezing through the same gap won't have them.

I agree, it was more than likely an unpleasant pass for the rider, he or she may have been alarmed bearing in mind the flashing lights, rush of wind noise and the size and speed of overtaking ambo.
I would have given the wailers a short "blip" and passed once I knew the rider was aware of my presence by sight. We must also remember that drivers of ambulances have roadcraft training and thus must be expected to be aware how our driving affects others, particularly the more vulnerable road users.
Drivers on "blue calls" are expected to use audible warnings when appropriate, as in this case.
Regards
Alan

 

[benb]

The driver should have waited until the cyclist was through the pinch point before overtaking.

 

[Kbrook]

Nobody on here ever makes mistakes obviously. Ambulance driver made a mistake, that mistake didn't have any consequences, he probably realised he had made a mistake the moment he went past. Give the guy a break FFS, like I said before he might just save your life some time in the future.

 

[benb]

Nobody on here ever makes mistakes obviously. Ambulance driver made a mistake, that mistake didn't have any consequences, he probably realised he had made a mistake the moment he went past. Give the guy a break FFS, like I said before he might just save your life some time in the future.

We should, quite rightly, hold ambulance drivers and other professional drivers, to a higher standard than most.

No one is suggesting he should be sacked or anything, simply made aware of his mistake to try and make sure it doesn't happen again.