Driving Lesson Blues and Twos - Its an Emergency

I mentioned in a previous post that I'm a fan of The Bill, I am also partial to a few medical dramas on TV, but that's not what this post is about.

A paramedic reader of Tom Reynolds's blog Random Acts Of Reality asked me if I could put up a post on how to deal with Emergency Vehicles, as he had experienced case(s) where learners have panicked, blocking the road, and causing delays in getting to 999 calls, so here goes.



How to deal with Emergency Vehicles when driving in the UK.



Actually why re-invent the wheel, when it has already been done by someone else, so read the following FMG.ORG.UK Emergency Vehicles Article.

Note: There is a slight mistake in the article, you should pull up on the right when in lane 2 of a dual carriageway. If on a 3 lane dual carriageway, then check your mirrors to see which way the cars behind you are moving, and follow suit.

As mentioned in the article, the main thing is not to panic, look around, and do not just stop the car in the middle of the road, if you can not find somewhere to pull up on the left, keep moving until you are able to do so, the emergency vehicle will still be following you, but the driver is highly trained and will be aware of what is going on, so remain calm. Your instructor should also be giving you advice if he/she sees that you having difficulty so listen out for this as well.

If you are unfortunate enough to have to deal with an emergency vehicle on a test, then the same applies, but do not wait for the examiner to help you to deal with the situation, as any intervention on his part means you have not been able to demonstrate that you have reached the standard required to be left to drive on UK roads un-supervised.

At this moment, I'd like to say a big thanks to all the members of the emergency services for their dedication to their jobs, and the services they render to the public, I have never had to use them, but all the same, keep up the good work guys.

4 comments:

  1. It's amazing how many drivers with full licenses, let alone learners, can't react sensibly to aan emergency vehicle, worst case I ever saw was some one who literally just stopped, this was in a country lane (single track), and blocked the path of an ambulance with all lights and sirens blaring.

    I was behind this unfortunate, and had mangaged to pull in to the suitable for 3 cars passing place, they just sat there like a frightened rabbit. One of the Paramedics had to get out and tell them to reverse back into the passing place, and that too was a demonstration of how not to drive, I sometime wonder how some people actually passed their tests, and whether there should be a regular periodic retest of all drivers.

    ReplyDelete
  2. As i said yesterday i failed it again, and i am caught in a dilemma i dont want to do the test until 2months, but people are saying that i should do it immediately, what should i do?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nneka,

    I would agree the longer to leave it, the harder it is because you get rusty.

    I presume it was your instructor that dumped you at McD, if you don't get along with him, and you can find another instructor, then that might help, also if you know anyone who you could use their car assuming you don't have yours, then that is another avenue, though you will need to be added to their insurance.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hello,
    We do get along, so i was quite suprised when he just left me at Mcdees, i was just like what was his problem, was he annoyed that i failed the test or what? and i think he is weird anyway, maybe i will ask the driving school to give me another instructor to see how i can improve on my driving skills, the funny thing i have been driving for 2 years on an international license, was tired of renewing it, so decided to get a british one and now i am being failed like a chicken. well have not booked any yet, will book it by next week and have my brother run me around the city and correct me on my bad points.
    Anyway hope you have a lovely weekend and no mishaps with your pupils.
    I think my instructor loves my money more than making me pass! Oh well there is nothing i can do, just rebook it again and just see if they will pass me this time around. Still smarting from the experience of failing, will work up my courage and go for it, before the month runs out!

    ReplyDelete

.

..

eXTReMe Tracker