Ambulances and red lights.

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Originally Posted by dullbird

Don't get me wrong I'm very aware of the emergency services and when I first came to OZ it really infuriated me that no bastard pulled over for them and when they did it was like a rush to be the first person to pull out jump the que and get a free sail through the traffic while driving behind them.

Big lack of respect for what you guys do if you ask me.
in the UK you only have to hear (not see) and people are already pulling over. I guess the problem in the UK is though the roads are so narrow if they didn't they would never get through but at least the people in the UK respect that they pull out in exact same position as what they pulled in at:(

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If you think its infuriating, imaging how we feel on a daily basis. It is frustrating. When people hear the sirens and see the lights they freeze, thats if they arent suffering from tunnel vision and dont hear or see us at all. I personally think that using an Ipod or MP3 player with the earphones when you are driving, like I see more and more these days, should be illegal. how can people hear whats going on around them? Driving has alot to do with what you can see but part of being a good driver is using your other senses aswell, in particularly your hearing. Taste isnt so usefull :D. I was going code red behind an ambulance who was also code red, the car moved over for the ambulance and the minute it passed she moved over on me nearly pushing me into oncoming traffic. Regardless of the situation if she had done a head check and used her mirrors she would have seen me.

I was going code red behind an ambulance who was also code red, the car moved over for the ambulance and the minute it passed she moved over on me nearly pushing me into oncoming traffic. Regardless of the situation if she had done a head check and used her mirrors she would have seen me.[/QUOTE]
The number of times this type of thing happens is mind boggling.In a Fire Truck the OIC sits on the front left next to the driver.Which is hard enough as he does not have a steering wheel and foot pedals (LOL) even though you go looking for them in sticky situations.Many a time my driver would say to me." you can open your eyes Boss we somehow missed that stupid bastard" Also another problem that was always in the back of your mind was the reports about reports that the OIC and the driver had to produce because the Big Red Truck was involved.Police and AMBO's will appreciate that.Another thing I was unaware of is that SES had that right of way. only vehicles with blue and red lights have the power under the ACT ( in Qld anyway) which applies to the traffic Act not the criminal code as I have pointed out previously.Drivers should realise why we are using our warning systems and also realise that we too love life and would like it to stay that way.

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Originally Posted by Disco44

I was going code red behind an ambulance who was also code red, the car moved over for the ambulance and the minute it passed she moved over on me nearly pushing me into oncoming traffic. Regardless of the situation if she had done a head check and used her mirrors she would have seen me.

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The number of times this type of thing happens is mind boggling.In a Fire Truck the OIC sits on the front left next to the driver.Which is hard enough as he does not have a steering wheel and foot pedals (LOL) even though you go looking for them in sticky situations.Many a time my driver would say to me." you can open your eyes Boss we somehow missed that stupid bastard" Also another problem that was always in the back of your mind was the reports about reports that the OIC and the driver had to produce because the Big Red Truck was involved.Police and AMBO's will appreciate that.Another thing I was unaware of is that SES had that right of way. only vehicles with blue and red lights have the power under the ACT ( in Qld anyway) which applies to the traffic Act not the criminal code as I have pointed out previously.Drivers should realise why we are using our warning systems and also realise that we too love life and would like it to stay that way.[/QUOTE]

Its not hard to move as far left as safely possible. if you cant clear the road way for what ever reason, maintain speed and keep as far to the left as possible until you reach a spot where you can move over. To many people panic in a situation where simple common sense should prevail. Sadly it often doesnt.

A question about what is an emergency vehical under the act when was the RTA give reds and blues I know its only in the last few years they used to and still do have purple light bars on inspectors cars, can they respond like the "real" emergency services?

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Originally Posted by THE BOOGER

A question about what is an emergency vehical under the act when was the RTA give reds and blues I know its only in the last few years they used to and still do have purple light bars on inspectors cars, can they respond like the "real" emergency services?

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No....that is, AFAIK, they activate them when they set up roadside vehicle inspection stations. They are not an emergency vehicle. Same as these..

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...nit_Sydney.jpg

Can be used for traffic diversion with lights activated etc..but not as an emergency vehicle when it comes to driving contrary to the road rules...

There is a large depot at yennora with "traffic emergency" trucks with reds and blues they turn out when lights are damaged or set up detoures around accidents the inspectors still have the purple light bars:( I agree with Police ,fire and ambos even the SES in some instances but fixing traffic lights is not what I would call an emergency if they give them to everybody them people will not take them as seriously as they need to:)

edit: was typing when you posted the pic thems the trucks and there is a larger one as well

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Originally Posted by THE BOOGER

There is a large depot at yennora with "traffic emergency" trucks with reds and blues they turn out when lights are damaged or set up detoures around accidents the inspectors still have the purple light bars:( I agree with Police ,fire and ambos even the SES in some instances but fixing traffic lights is not what I would call an emergency if they give them to everybody them people will not take them as seriously as they need to:)

edit: was typing when you posted the pic thems the trucks and there is a larger one as well

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Up here mate they would have purple lights and the same with amber,they are not classed as emergency vehicles under the act.
John.

I have only failed to give way once. That was because I saw the house fire on a turning to the left at the same time the cop appeard. Choice was simple pull over and stop him getting through or put my foot down till past the street he clearly wanted so I chose the later.
I have watched rural fire units with the lights flashing on the freeway fail to catch up with me for several km's till I turn of. Again no point pulling over for them when they are under the speed limit and clearly doing long distance runs.

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Originally Posted by George130

I have watched rural fire units with the lights flashing on the freeway fail to catch up with me for several km's till I turn of. Again no point pulling over for them when they are under the speed limit and clearly doing long distance runs.

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That's because all the new Category 1 Isuzu 4x4's are speed limited to 107Kph :censored:

Our Hino Pumper is not...... :twisted: :wasntme:

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Originally Posted by George130

I have only failed to give way once. That was because I saw the house fire on a turning to the left at the same time the cop appeard. Choice was simple pull over and stop him getting through or put my foot down till past the street he clearly wanted so I chose the later.
I have watched rural fire units with the lights flashing on the freeway fail to catch up with me for several km's till I turn of. Again no point pulling over for them when they are under the speed limit and clearly doing long distance runs.

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Common sense by the Rural boys should prevail here .They should turn off the lights etc until they can get up to speed.