Driving licence checks (Page 8) who’s responsibility is it?
Ambulance services have a duty to check the driving licences of their staff usually annually.
It is the individual licence holder’s responsibility to ensure their driving licence is valid and in date.
Photo card driving licences are only valid for ten years (4b expiry date). DVLA issue reminders.
If you change your name or address you must inform the DVLA.
Claiming exemption (page 12)
Drivers of ambulances may claim an exemption from certain road traffic legislation when justifiable and when the vehicle is being used for ambulance purposes. Provided:
- the observance of the law would be likely to hinder the use of the vehicle for the purpose for which it is being used.
- Nothing the driver does could be classed as being dangerous or careless.
Road traffic law exemption that apply when dealing with any category of patient.
Stopping on a Clearway (page 13)
- Always ensure you have the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) when exiting the vehicle.
- Consider use of hazard warning lights.
- Leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position is an offence and an exemption to this cannot be claimed.
Road traffic law exemption that apply when dealing with any category of patient.
Parking within the controlled (Zig Zags) area of a pedestrian crossing (Page 14)
- Correct PPE
- Consider how your position may restrict the view of pedestrians using the crossing or of drivers approaching the crossing.
- last resort - alternative options
- Do not park across the crossing itself
- Position vehicle in exit side if crossing
- request police for traffic control
- Use of hazard warning lights
- leaving the vehicle in a dangerous position is an offence and an exemption to this cannot be claimed.
Road traffic law exemption that apply when dealing with any category of patient.
Parking within areas controlled by double white, red or yellow lines (page 15)
- Correct PPE when exiting vehicle.
- Consider danger when boarding a patient on a stretcher.
- Keep time parked to a minimum.
- Consider use of hazard warning lights.
- Leaving the vehicle in a dangerous position is an offence and an exemption to this cannot be claimed.
Road traffic law exemption that apply when dealing with any category of patient.
Parking on the offside during the hours of darkness (page 16) (At night)
- Correct PPE when exiting vehicle.
- Leave position (sidelights) illuminated, but turn off vehicle’s headlights.
- Consider use of hazard warning lights.
- Leaving vehicle in dangerous position is an offence and an exemption to this cannot be claimed.
- Note dangers of using offside vehicle lockers and side door.
- Remember the side step may intrude into path of vehicles.
Road traffic law exemption that apply when dealing with any category of patient.
Parking or Driving on a cycle track (Page 17)
- Correct PPE when exiting the vehicle.
- Consider possible obstructions to cyclists and pedestrians.
- Be mindful of damage to tyres and suspension, as well the kerb and paving.
- Consider use of hazard warning lights.
- Leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position is an offence and an exemption cannot be claimed for this.
- Be aware that large kerbs may create a large degree of tilt.
- Be aware of potential issues with tail lift or ramp, particularly of the ground is soft.
- Be mindful that the fact of a verge maybe unstable or have a slippery surface.
Road traffic law exemption that apply when dealing with any category of patient.
Parking on a central reservation (page 18)
- Correct PPE when exiting the vehicle
- Consider possible obstructions to pedestrians.
- Consider the close proximity of high-speed traffic.
- There could be possible damage to the vehicles’ tyres or suspension.
- Consider whether the ground could be soft, causing potential issues with tall lift/ramp.
- Consider use of hazard warning lights.
- Leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position is an offence and exemptions to this cannot be claimed.
- Be aware that high verges may create a large degree of tilt.
- Be aware that the central reservation may be unstable or have a slippery surface.
- Note the danger of using offside vehicle lockers and side door.
- Remember the side step may intrude into path of vehicles.
- Central crash barrier to prevent cross- over collisions may restrict opening of the driver’s door.
Road traffic law exemption that apply when dealing with any category of patient.
Parking at a designated bus stop (page 19)
- Correct PPE when exiting vehicle.
- Consider possible obstructions to pedestrians.
- Consider disruption to buses, particularly if passengers are unable to board or alight.
- Consider use of hazard warning lights.
- Leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position is an offence and an exemption to this cannot be claimed.
Road traffic law exemption that apply when dealing with any category of patient.
Double parking or parking on dropped Kerb (Page 20)
- Correct PPE when exiting vehicle.
- Consider possible obstructions to traffic trying to pass, especially larger vehicles.
- Consider possible obstructions to traffic trying to enter/exit premises.
- Consider seeking the permission of the driveway owner, if parking across a dropped kerb.
- Could an ambulance or fire engine pass?
- Consider use of hazard warning lights.
- Leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position is an offence and an exemption to this cannot be claimed.
- Consider Leaving a contact number in the windscreen if possible.
Exceptions while engaged on am emergency response.
Travelling on the incorrect side if a ‘Keep left’ or ‘Keep right’ sign (page 21)
- These signs are normally accompanied by bollards and central refuges.
- Be aware of pedestrians using these areas.
- Ensure opposing vehicles have responded before passing on the incorrect side of the signs.
- Speed should be reduced.
- Pedestrians may be looking the wrong way for your direction of travel.
- Be aware of the dangers of returning to correct road positioning - use of mirrors and signals is essential.
Exceptions while engaged on am emergency response.
Treating a red traffic light as a ‘give way’, including light controlled crossing and temporary lights. (page 22)
- Your actions must not cause other road users to pass through a red traffic signal.
- The speed of approach must provide other road users with the time to see hear and react to the responding vehicle.
- Are all other road users aware of the presence of the emergency vehicle?
- If there is no path for the response vehicle to pass through the red light, you must stop short of the junction and consider turning off audible and visual warning equipment to prevent any vehicles in front from entering the junction (this is sometimes referred to as effective non-use)
- You should not go beyond the stop line in a manner, or at a time, likely to endanger anyone.
- You should not cause the driver of any vehicle proceeding in accordance with the indications of light signals to change its speed or course in order to avoid an accident.
- Consider the other emergency vehicles may be entering the junction on a green traffic signal.
- At pedestrian controlled lights, always give precedence to any pedestrian showing an intention to cross.
- Use early vehicle positioning to indicate your intended route.
- Use all warning equipment.
- Keep scanning left and right as you cross through the junction.
Exceptions while engaged on am emergency response.
Stop within a yellow box junction (page 23)
Stopping on a yellow box junction may prevent other vehicles from clearing the junction.
Double white lines where line nearest you is solid (page 25)
The only exemptions are those that exist for the general public. They are:
- To enable the vehicle to enter, from the side of the road on which it is proceeding, or the land or premises adjacent to the length of the road on which the line is placed, or another road joining that road.
- In order to pass a stationary vehicle.
- Owing to circumstances outside the control of the driver.
- In order to avoid an accident.
- In order to pass a road maintenance vehicle that is in use, is moving at a speed not exceeding 10mph and is displaying to the rear a ‘keep right’ sign.
- In order to pass a pedal cycle moving at a speed not exceeding 10mph.
- In order to pass a horse that is being ridden or led at a speed not exceeding 10mph.
- for the purpose of complying with any direction of a constable in uniform or a traffic warden.
Other than in any of the circumstances outlined above, if a driver was to cross or straddle a double white line, where the solid white line nearest to them, they would be guilty if an offence.
Operational driving stress - Confrontive coping (page 30)
Mastery of the driving challenge through self assertion or conflict, which is a dangerous driver-coping strategy.
Driver and attendant’s responsibility to ensure passenger safety and comfort (page 32)
Regardless of the type of driving being undertaken- whether standard or emergency response driving (ERD) - You have the responsibility to ensure that patients’ and passengers’ journeys are smooth and comfortable as well as safe.
Braking smoothly (page 33)
Vary the brake pedal pressure when bringing the vehicle to a stop, this will give maximum braking control and ensure smoother stopping.
- Gently take up the free play in the brake pedal.
- Increase the brake pedal pressure progressively, as required, to bring the vehicle to stop.
- Relax the brake pedal pressure as unwanted road speed is lost.
- Release the brake pedal pressure just before stopping to ensure the vehicle stops smoothly.
Confrontational behaviour (page 33)
For every action there is a reaction. If you react to a given driving situation unfavourably it could have disastrous consequences for yourself and others.
Diffusing the situation (page 34)
You can diffuse the situation by proceeding safely through without any further reaction to the situation.
Pre-driving checks (PDC) (page 51-52)
Ensures you are familiar with both the location and means of operating vehicle controls. Reduces fatigue and enhances vehicle safety.
PDC when first enter the vehicle.
Does not need repeat unless someone else has driven it, then can just confirm points 1, 4 and 7.
Correctly position seat and steering wheel (page 53)
- Able to reach all the controls
- fully depress the drivers foot pedal (fully depress clutch with bent knee)
- Use full circumstances of the steering wheel
- Ensure good view from vehicle and guard against fatigue
- arms on steering wheel slightly bent at elbows
Static break test (page 56)
- depress the footbreak until a firm pressure is felt.
- release handbrake.
- no footbreak movement during handbrake application.
Emergency warning equipment in practice (page 86)
- do not give you any legal entitlement to claim precedence where unsafe.
- loud sirens may be intimidating in stationary traffic must consider deactivating EWE (effective non-use)
- SRV must not utilise EWE and must adhere to road traffic regulations.
- SRV must not act as an esscort to ambulance.
The importance of teamwork - Banksman (page 94)
- Very few, if any, reversing collisions occur when a banksman is assisting the driver from the correct position outside the vehicle. This is the correct procedure.
