Green light &amp; Siren use

Someone will provide a more definite answer. sirens and blues can be used by docs responding to a call on request of ambulance control e.g. HEMS, (not sure if some BASICS docs can). GPs can use green lights no sirens at their discretion. Unsure about other areas I don't think you'd be told you can't, but can't see why you'd need to. hospital docs on call i suppose but doubt they'd ever bother unless they're a bit of a prat. my 2p.

Reply 2

I would get one later on - Nobody is going to know you're on your way to the supermarket of course!

Reply 3

Fluffy

15

JayD

Someone will provide a more definite answer. sirens and blues can be used by docs responding to a call on request of ambulance control e.g. HEMS, (not sure if some BASICS docs can). GPs can use green lights no sirens at their discretion. Unsure about other areas I don't think you'd be told you can't, but can't see why you'd need to. hospital docs on call i suppose but doubt they'd ever bother unless they're a bit of a prat. my 2p.

Indeedy - and they can only be used in an 'authorised' blue light emergency... It's an offense to use them as a 'perk'...

Reply 4

thom5455

2

Green light usage does not grant any exemptions under the road traffic act, as such the user cannot break any speed limits, go through red traffic lights, etc etc and is bound by all road rules and regulations as is any other road user.

Doctors acting on behalf of the ambulance service can use blue lights, (sometimes in combo with greens), as they attract all the standard exemptions (as their vehicle is being used as ambulance purposes) doctors acting purely as a 'doctor' not connected with the ambulance service cannot.

Reply 5

Scotsman1988

thom5455

Green light usage does not grant any exemptions under the road traffic act, as such the user cannot break any speed limits, go through red traffic lights, etc etc and is bound by all road rules and regulations as is any other road user.

Doctors acting on behalf of the ambulance service can use blue lights, (sometimes in combo with greens), as they attract all the standard exemptions (as their vehicle is being used as ambulance purposes) doctors acting purely as a 'doctor' not connected with the ambulance service cannot.

exactly.

Reply 6

thom5455

Green light usage does not grant any exemptions under the road traffic act, as such the user cannot break any speed limits, go through red traffic lights, etc etc and is bound by all road rules and regulations as is any other road user.

Doctors acting on behalf of the ambulance service can use blue lights, (sometimes in combo with greens), as they attract all the standard exemptions (as their vehicle is being used as ambulance purposes) doctors acting purely as a 'doctor' not connected with the ambulance service cannot.

So what's the point of the light? To be honest as long as people can hear the siren they will move out of your way! And I'm sure I have seen doctors going through lights, lol!

Reply 7

Scotsman1988

The point is to give them more visability. The green light allows them to "make progress" ie people should be moving out of the way of a vehicle with a green light flashing (like blue lights). It also comes in handy at large incidents such as RTCs as it shows that there is a doctor on site.

Only GMC registered dcotors are allowed to use green lights.

Reply 8

The reality is a green light is mostly fackin useless. Most people have no idea what the hell they're for, and most folk have no idea you're their as they never check their mirrors.

Reply 9

thom5455

2

As 1988 said, the purpose of emergency lights is to :

a) Increase visibility
b) Invite other road users to give way

I know a consultant anaesthetist that got 'followed' by a police traffic unit and rebuked after reaching his destination, for going through a red light while 'on greens' despite responding to a paediatric medical emergency.

Emergency lights do not give the user priority over other road users, blue or green, and does not mean other motorists have to give way to anyone displaying them.

however, I think most road users would give way to a vehilce displaying green lights with an assertive road position.

Reply 10

So how many of you prospective doctors will be fitting you car with lights and a siren (a boy's dream come true, lol)!

Reply 11

No. I'd look like a prat.

Reply 12

mortderire

10

ill have two cars..one with the lights

one without
problem solved

Reply 13

Renal

17

rahmed

So how many of you prospective doctors will be fitting you car with lights and a siren (a boy's dream come true, lol)!

Would you be supprised to know the number of doctors I know with 'trauma' kits in their boot?

Reply 14

Renal

Would you be supprised to know the number of doctors I know with 'trauma' kits in their boot?

Lol, well you never know when they might crash their car with the lights flashing! - And without any prior training trying to overtake and speed through the traffic could have disastrous results. I think Dr's should go attend police academy so they can drive properly and also learn about abusive patients!

Reply 15

Scotsman1988

rahmed

Lol, well you never know when they might crash their car with the lights flashing! - And without any prior training trying to overtake and speed through the traffic could have disastrous results. I think Dr's should go attend police academy so they can drive properly and also learn about abusive patients!

They shouldn't be traveling at any speed higher than the speed limit on the road that they are on with Green Lights. With Green Lights they have NO exemptions from the Road Traffic Act other than to display a different colour of light (green) on their vehicle than what is the normal maximum.

Doctors who have blue lights will often get training with the Ambulance service on how to drive appropriatley on Blue lights as they need to be working with or onbehalf of the Ambulance Service to use Blue Lights.

(All of this is not from medical parctices knowledge as I'm not a medical student, but a Law and Management student)

Reply 16

If you want to join BASICS (which tbh are the only guys who should be poncing with green lights on their cars) its higly recommended you pass the RSPoA course.

Reply 17

Right after an experience today I need to stand by my point that Green lights are fackin useless. Our GP co-op cars have em, I was sitting in match traffic nose to tail stationary for a few mins so really wasnt giving my mirrors much thought, didn't know car was there till it had passed me. No good without a siren.

Also ... anyone agree ... that if time was so critical to justify a GP car driving in the wrong lane of traffic ... then it's really a paramedic you should be crashing out?

Reply 18

mlc409

OP