IAM posts results of Emergency Services vehicles web poll
IAM, the UK’s largest independent road safety charity, has published the findings of their recent survey - the Emergency Services vehicles web poll, which had 2,506 respondents. Of those who responded, nearly half of motorists believe that traffic stopped at an incident should keep a lane space free for emergency service vehicles and agree that those who refuse to move out of the way of an emergency vehicle should be fined. The poll also found that 35% did not even know what the rules or regulations are on how to deal with an approaching emergency service vehicle.
It was surprising to read that some respondents said they would go through a red light to let an emergency vehicle through, which is absurd, not to mention illegal and downright dangerous. Were you aware that it is illegal to enter a bus lane during its active hours of operation to let an emergency vehicle past? You can be fined if you do, yet almost a third polled have entered a bus lane to allow access to an emergency vehicle which often results in fines. Sadly, I would make up part of that figure if I took part in the survey. I didn't know you could get a fine for that. I certainly won’t be pulling over in a bus lane again.
IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “Fining people for pulling into empty bus lanes so that life-saving services can get through is just plain wrong. Most drivers quite rightly want to get out of the way. Simply catching and penalising drivers who break the rules to let emergency vehicles pass will not serve to educate them – people must understand the rules to abide by them. Road users must be on the look-out for emergency service vehicles and move out of the way where possible but laws have been put in place for the safety of all road users. Our survey shows clear support for more clarity and new ways of ensuring police, fire and ambulance personnel get to incidents with maximum speed and minimum risk to themselves and others.”
Findings reveal that, while most people are aware of the laws surrounding emergency vehicles, around half are willing to flout them to let the emergency services through.
For more information on this survey, please visit the IAM website here.
It was surprising to read that some respondents said they would go through a red light to let an emergency vehicle through, which is absurd, not to mention illegal and downright dangerous. Were you aware that it is illegal to enter a bus lane during its active hours of operation to let an emergency vehicle past? You can be fined if you do, yet almost a third polled have entered a bus lane to allow access to an emergency vehicle which often results in fines. Sadly, I would make up part of that figure if I took part in the survey. I didn't know you could get a fine for that. I certainly won’t be pulling over in a bus lane again.
IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “Fining people for pulling into empty bus lanes so that life-saving services can get through is just plain wrong. Most drivers quite rightly want to get out of the way. Simply catching and penalising drivers who break the rules to let emergency vehicles pass will not serve to educate them – people must understand the rules to abide by them. Road users must be on the look-out for emergency service vehicles and move out of the way where possible but laws have been put in place for the safety of all road users. Our survey shows clear support for more clarity and new ways of ensuring police, fire and ambulance personnel get to incidents with maximum speed and minimum risk to themselves and others.”
Findings reveal that, while most people are aware of the laws surrounding emergency vehicles, around half are willing to flout them to let the emergency services through.
For more information on this survey, please visit the IAM website here.
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