In this shorter run I have a look at the considerations needed when negotiating roadworks and there is also a reminder in there for me about being complacent when there is too much time and space. Stay safe all. C
I have commented this probably thousand times but I love how he gives little waves and thanks to other cars! So many things to focus on at the same time, but he still makes time to give a little wave. Truly british politeness!
Whenever I yielded to an emergency vehicle in the UK I received a thank-you wave. Never seen that anywhere else. I thought "why not" and started doing the same in Germany when driving a fire truck if the situation allows it.
We do it partially out of politeness but also shows that we appreciate the action taken to allow our progression. The more folk understand we’re not just trying to shove our way through, the more inclined folk are to provide that space and awareness.
@@Heathen.Deity. As the saying goes a little appreciation goes a long way, by doing that you contribute to validating and reinforcing positive driving behaviour. Probably has and even greater effect when you consider that reinforcing positive beliefs tends to socially reinforce them in others too. Those on the fence are probably more influenced by their friend in the passenger seat calling them out for not doing it because they feel validated enough to speak up for example.
Its standard here. Generally, you shouldn't make gestures to others when driving as it can confuse, but when another person actively stops or slows down to let you pass it isn't confusing whatsoever to get a little hand or couple of fingers raised in thanks as they pass. The bus drivers here are notorious for waving at each other as they pass too, just because of service culture. A bit like how sometimes a car will flash its headlights at you to warn of a police speed check/camera van.
Always amazes me that a lot of people's reaction to vehicles in front braking is to immediately move to overtake, rather than considering what hazard is causing them to brake. The fact that this car goes to do that with a police van in front is beyond belief.
I agree that a lot of motorist do that, they also swerve the opposite way to the vehicle in front and end up hitting the object the vehicle in front swerved to miss. I do wonder why the police van driver slowed so much, causing the situation as Chris had no problem the vehicles before that.
He may just be trying to see what is going on ahead that made the police van brake. I'm assuming he didn't see Chris so was trying to figure out why the van braked in the middle of a long straight He never leaves his lane
@@marcsidanparker2373 Even if you're not leaving your lane, you should still use your mirrors. They clearly have absolutely no awareness of what's going on around them. That's dangerous even without the response car.
As a truck driver that's an everyday occurrence... Whenever I have to anticipate and brake early, their first reaction behind me is to go around. It's insane...
What it’s easy to overlook is after we watch an intense drive and we move on to the next video its at that point Chris gets out the car and very possibly saves a life.
My first thought with the Police van moving over and slowing was the reaction of the following car, it's an expected response to keep their eyes forward on a fast moving wide road BUT to not do a quick mirror check before shifting in lane speaks to the need for better driving training and more regular assessment. I end up watching a lot of dashcam footage during my downtime and a lot of drivers have a very "me" centric attitude to driving, rather than a bigger picture approach. I'm sure plenty would benefit from your videos and commentary, it's definitely improved my own reaction to response vehicles in making my intentions clear and obvious
That eyes forward “me” approach is rife in the uk. Applies all aspects of driving. Take outside lane hogging, immediate dash over from slip roads, or even parking etc - highly noticeable when you’ve driven across Europe from a trip and land here.
Good observation is a key to driving and it's baffling how people seem to just either forget or just choose not to follow that basic task once they pass their test. Everyone's always thinking about themselves on the roads and are always in some major rush to get to where they need to go, no matter the risks they pose to other drivers. I'm always looking around me when I'm driving so I have a mental image of what's going on. Who's in front of me, who's behind and checking if anyone's overtaking. It doesn't even need to distract you, just small glances here and there. You'd think it was common sense to keep an eye out for what's happening around you but clearly it's beyond some people when they're behind the wheel.
Indeed so, just a few hours ago coming back from work, being 1 street away had a highstreet parker pull in from his parking spot into 2nd lane straight without looking at all. Luckily there was no oncoming traffic and I was able to dodge the blow instead of having broken frame and doors or worse. Always got to be aware when you got other drivers around and be ready in case they pull the stupid
I'm convinced that watching these videos (and others like them) has made me a better driver. Was driving yesterday and there was a massive traffic jam off a highway exit, with cars lined up on the shoulder to exit, and just in general very busy traffic. Quite a few times I've had to brake pretty hard, but none of them were unexpected. A few other cars had to brake with smoke and screeching tires to avoid other cars, but I am now a lot more conscious about looking ahead and interpreting the implication of signage than I was before I started watching these videos. So thanks for making the roads safer for those around me!
You may be interested in Ashley Neal's youtube channel. He's a driving instructor who makes in depth videos and analysis with the goal of increasing driving standards and decreasing risk on the roads. Check it out. :)
My dad was an advanced driving instructor so i been learning to drive since 10. But the 2 main things that have stuck with me are look as far up the road as you can and work your way back to whats in front of you. Most of the time you see the reason to slow down before the vehicle in front does and you can be smoother by slowing sooner but dropping less speed to then get back up to speed and save fuel in process. The other one is the 2 second rule. Following a vehicle in front, pick a fixed marker, say a lamp post or a cone or a paint line, and say the phrase in a normal voice out loud "only a fool breaks the 2 second rule." If you pass that marker point before you finish the sentence, your too close to the vehicle in front and could risk running into the back of it if it emergency stopped. Im now in my 30s, i still say the 2 second rule to myself, especially if i had a stressful day, helps relax the mind to focus on driving and getting home safe.
Scares me sometimes how people don't notice emergency vehicles - few days back I saw 2 police cars fully lit up and sirens on coming the other way and I slowed ready to stop, indicated and moved over to the side so as to stop leaving a gap for them to get through between me and the next car coming the other way - the other car continued to trundle on despite not one but two emergency vehicles in the middle of the road behind them - saw the driver eventually do the old panic brake reaction in my rear view when they appeared to finally notice the police cars. If they were at all observant even if they somehow managed to miss the emergency vehicles behind them my actions should have clued them up as to there being a reason to check what was going on around them.
Trust me,I’ve had it happen to me, it happens all the time, those drivers should seriously be banned for life from driving, thy very clearly are not paying attention to driving.
Think what it's like riding a bike. These drivers that never seem to see emergency vehicles ard a menace. More needs to be done to filter out crap drivers.
As always, another brilliant video with exceptional info that just makes the video so interesting and informative. Love how Martin is a brilliant driver and so polite to other Road users. Joy to watch 👍
This driver is nothing less then perfection. So calm and collective mindset to stay calm as cucumber all the time. His awareness to see all and even have time to wave TNX to other drivers that see him and let him pass at ease! Excellent :)
Hi Chris, I have just watched a short video of yours done back in 2018 showing driver awareness, I wonder if you could put up a similar video showing different circumstances of good and bad reactions. This I'm sure will help us get out of the way in the best way. Thanks for posting and helping so many. Stay safe.
Very useful content I hope as both a car driver and HGV I make better choices now. Generally I get my left signal on early and I take a more considered response rather than just stopping as soon as possible, particularly when driving an HGV. I got a double thumbs up from a traffic cop in the passenger seat of a 5 series recently, so your tips seem to be working!!!!
Hi Chris. This is the first video of yours that i see. I really like it! Im a Danish EMT, crewing an ambulance. We see this aaaaall the time! It is propably the most common "mistake" (lack of a better word) that other people make when reacting to us. We spend a lot of time stressing to our students that they should always watch that car behind the first one. I think it is a good thing that you are pointing this out, hopefully people will see this :)
It's not so much the system but when the images are reviewed if it is clearly an emergency vehicle on blue lights they rarely send them out. I work for a Fire Service and it's only in the older trucks that we receive tickets, because they have old type lights that aren't easily visible to the cameras and/or the people who view the images and process the documents. Each police force may have different processes in relation to this though so Chris' area may send them all out regardless, but I doubt it as from an admin point of view there would be lots of wasted time!
Chris, the A507 is notorious for accidents as you probably well know. Really pleased to see your skill and expertise prevented another.... Fantastic driving skills and thanks for posting yet another entertaining and interesting video... just wish that they were longer, I could watch this stuff until the cows come home :-)
Impressive driving. The A507 changes from a narrow two-lane road to a road that is broad enough for three lanes. Drivers get frustrated when they have been following a (relatively) slow lorry and get tempted to overtake at points that are potentially dangerous.
The vehicles are different, as are the roads + environment and lane of travel. But the concepts of emergency response + use of due regard apply the exact same all around the United States. I will definitely be using your videos as a resource to recommend to new-hires to learn how to drive emergency traffic. It's unfortunate it is so difficult to provide training on this concept outside of the real-world environment, but these videos are superb. Thank you.
2:27 I would’ve thought that’s the dilemma in a lot of peoples minds; do they slow and move over for the blue response. Here you can see a common domino effect where the car looks for a pass. I’d have thought this difference in reactions from people is common and one of the bigger hazards. Big gaps to slot into I would’ve thought was best, and moving over a touch shows they’ve seen you. Whereas again an indicator can trigger this situation too.
As an X motorbiker (that does not mean I'm dead), a car pulling over to the left always meant the car behind would use it as a slingshot move to overtake. The bubble of safety is so important. On an amusing note, the first day I purchased my first car after the bike, I drove down the centre of the road 50 yards past a cue of stationary traffic, just like I would have on my bike. Except I did not have blue lights and retroreflective stickers. I felt like a bell end, but hey, every day is a school day, just like every trip out in my car. As an advanced driver, it often shocks me how oblivious most drivers are. Especially the ones who insult me when they are obliviously ignorant of their skill set.
Hey there Chris Martin! I am watching your videos quite a while now and i still think your emergency driving experience is just extraordinary. I myself am a first responder here at out local voluntary fire dept. in germany.. I have had some big crashes throughout the last couple of months especially because of the travellers being too tired of making the right decisions after travelling more than 1.000 km in one ride so to say.. I am only called if the fire brigade or the emergency services struggle to go to the patients in need of help so I am in 9/10 cases the first one to arrive to a scene. Last week tho I was called to an accident on the german autobahn and responded with blue lights and siren. As it was already about 2 o clock in the morning it was really dark outside and I was additionally the first to arrive on scene. Due to the lack of blue lights (we only have two lights in the front, one in our windshield and a single mounted LED on top of our roof - which btw is the only blue light that is also visible for vehicles behind us) a car drive right into mine. I already cleared the car since i was rushing to the scene with my medical bag, yet the driver of the car and his child in the backseat got into a horrible crash with my stationary vehicle. So much from my side, it was just a story i thought was worth telling! Keep the good work up and stay safe out there!
Lurkers are always out there, I'm sure they are the most oblivious of drivers. I think this video also shows the importance of temp traffic lights and stopping back where the sign is. If that set of lights wasn't as easy to navigate it would have caused difficulty to move back in if traffic was already flowing. Another great drive though Chris
03:03 I had a similar experience recently. I saw the ambulance in my mirror so indicated, slowed and pulled into the side. Unfortunately, the car behind me, which wasn't particularly close to me, clearly had not seen the ambulance and pulled out to overtake me so the ambulance ended up with even less space.
2:34 been down that road with my dad a few times as i had family that lived in shefford for a while. It's super mean how the A roads round there all seem to do exactly that.
I'm just thinking you must have a million things go through your mind when you are on the way to an incident. Traffic, weather, vehicle control (all the usual stuff when driving) but at XXX mph faster as well as the medical requirement upon arrival. It must be so tough to focus on having to drive safely, while driving fast to the scene. For the black vehicle behind the Police, I had to go back and see the slight movement!
Over the 41 years I've been driving I have had a number of drivers behind me who try and overtake when I slow and pull over for a vehicle on Blues, the emergency vehicles have had some really close calls on some occasions because drivers just aren't bothering to concentrate on driving and observation.
That lorry should have stopped on the roundabout for you. Today I was on the M5, in middle lane and saw a unmarked police car blue lights flashing coming up very fast behind me in the outside lane. It shot past me ( I was on cruse control at 67mph) and it had to slow down considerably because a car up ahead in the outside did not see it, I could not believe how long it was before that car pulled over to let them pass.
Not sure what the Black Kia Nero was doing, but it clearly shows no spatial awareness, lack of attention to other road users and no forward planning at all! On the other hand, This video clearly demonstrates that emergency drivers are by far, some of the safest out there. Especially in the medical and EMS sectors. Excellent drive, cool, calm and professional.
". Especially in the medical and EMS sectors." not necessarily; In some countries like e.g. Germany they don't have ANY kind of emergency vehicle driver training, EVOC, blue light run training or whatever you call it. Thus all sorts of experienced and unexperienced drivers end up behind the wheel of emergency vehicles.
Just goes to show how it can all go pear-shaped fast when people aren't situationally aware... some drivers seem to never look behind.. like.... " its history , man !! " 😂
My guess would be the black suv moved a bit right so he could see ahead why the bus is slowing down, i doubt he would have been insane enough to overtake a police car in the same lane. However its beyond me how many people dont hear sirens or way too late or dont see the lights. Ive had an emergency vehicle coming up from behind in rush hour and i gad to honk for the cars in front to spot it and make room (rettungsgasse in german). So stupid.
British sirens are generally much quieter than German sirens, and I've personally witnessed police cars with sirens that can't be heard more than about 20 metres ahead - and that was as a pedestrian; in a car those sirens simply wouldn't have been heard. I think that one of the problems with the wail sirens rather than airhorns may be that wailers sound loud inside the vehicle they're fitted to, but not necessarily as loud outside. I think the Hungarians have the best idea; their ambulances normally have both wailers and airhorns.
I'm a trained emergency response driver. Watching out for this scenario in particular is our bread and butter. Not sure if he would have overtaken the police van but I wouldn't be surprised. I'd say it happens to me at least once a day where a car in front slows and the one behind pulls out to overtake, not just attempt to, but to actually do it without seeing me despite me being directly in their rear and right mirror. We are taught to wait for a reaction from every single vehicle before passing and I stick to that religiously. Buses/vans pulling over are the most dangerous as people behind presume they are stopping as part of their job and don't think it could be because of an emergency vehicle.
1:27 I think this is a tough decision. Especially on corners where the roadwork's goes around that corner so you're not fully able to see the flowing traffic coming toward you. But good job managing to get through that. I do wonder how difficult it is when coming across a blind corner where roadworks is happening and knowing the other side could be coming your way.
Technically if you can’t see the other side of the road works you shouldn’t go through the red light as you will likely get stuck with oncoming traffic. Passing into the roadworks itself (beyond the cones) is not advisable as we have no idea what works are happened or happening.
Gotta get that man who posted that spicy twitter meme. Also, crazy how people just don't check their mirrors and are too fucking death to hear Police sirens. Crazy.
That thumbs up at 1:50 is a dangerous game.. Only thing people see, if they see it at all, is just a finger in a window.. I always make sure to wave full-hand, as not to have any misunderstandings.
Another fantastic video showing what you have to cope with. These sort of video are good for viewing but also showing people what they need to do with a vehicle with blue light pass. Love the good old Skoda she gets you were you need in quick time . One question though were are you based if your allowed to tell us . Keep the videos come I look forward to a front seat drive at speed with the Speedo showing & your forward planning
Is there any tips to help awareness of emergency vehicles since I’ve grown up round the corner from a police station and their sirens have become partly background when not catching me in the off to on state
Chris, what's your opinion on the ambulance drivers who drive on stealth mode aka just blue lights and no sirens. Seen a lot of WMAS vehicles doing this.
Travail assez difficile, car l'imprévu est toujours là, mais certainement très prenant intérieurement. Des prestations qui demandent une attention suivie. Il n'y a pas intérêt à laisser passer les détails. Bravo !
Interesting I have known police drivers reported by national highways for incursion into traffic management. I used to sit on a joint services group and it was a major point of contention. The issue being from highways side it’s a major safety issue to have emergency vehicles entering TM which is generally part of a safety or working zone. So EAS have a policy you can enter as a means of escape in such a situation?
Hi ! I have a question : I'm french and was wondering what is your role ? Like are you sent on a place to assist policemen that are already on site or you're sent to be there rapidly and then make some tasks before the other people comes ?
Correct, Chris is Clinical Lead of EEAST, and is also a Critical Care Paramedic, he responds to patients that need specialist roadside interventions that regular crews cannot do
Police van is aware of you behind which is good. But causes more of a hazard by slowing down and keeping left. I sometimes wonder if I sould slown down to allow an emergency vehicle to pass in certain places. But like with the police van, othere behind sometimes start to look at overtaking me!
With wide roads like this I would be positioned left with ⅔ of the space on my right and keep the speed I'm at if traffic is flowing ahead. If you move too far left and it looks like there's two lanes effectively (especially if you start slowing) others are always going to look for an overtake. Same thing if I was driving towards the response vehicle, ⅔ space on my right to allow people behind more vision up the road and an earlier opportunity to see what's coming towards them. If I need to surrender that extra ⅓ of space to facilitate a passing I'm ready to. The easy bit is knowing what you're going to do to help out. Trying to anticipate how everyone else will react... not so easy. Especially if they're not paying attention to begin with 😢
The cause of the hazard (from the black car) was the police van being very aware of the emergency vehicle coming up behind. Just because the highway code states something you shouldn't always expect that to happen. Was there any reason for the police van to slow down? Was the van slowing down a suprise for the black car? Did this van slowing down cause the black car to concentrate on the van Infront?
@@IJ_uk If you aren't aware of your surroundings all the time you shouldn't be anywhere near a car, let alone driving one, people like that cause the accidents this guy has to attend... you take a test and agree to the laws of the road, you pass the test to confirm you understand this. It's not optional, even though many seem to think it is. Mirrors aren't for decoration. The driver of the black car was purely totally and utterly to blame for their stupid move, nothing to do with the Police Van who was driving as per the law dictates.
@@marksapollo you missed my point. look at the chain of events and the black car moves right because the police van slows down and slightly moves left.
At 1:38 it says divert available and points directly into a saftey zone. This is dangerousto workersand drivers. It is never OK to enter a coned off area unless you are authorised to do so.
In the US the law does not have a limit but states that we must have "due regard" for the safety of the current traffic and road conditions. Some agencies do put specific limits but I feel those are unnecessary and cumbersome as long as you train your people well to weigh the risk/benefit of how fast to drive at different times of day and for different emergencies.
Comparatively few British drivers seem to realise that their cars are fitted with indicators; their use is (certainly in my bit of tge country) most definitely the exception rather than the rule.
I would speculate that drivers are worse at getting out of the way in urban settings, because there is less room to get out of the way. I passed my driving test 50 years ago and personally haven't noticed that UK drivers are generally slow to give emergency vehicles priority. I have seen a few shocking examples in France and Italy where an emergency vehicle has been slowed down by errant drivers, but this is just anecdotal evidence on my part.
I don't understand why people take exits in roundabouts with an emergency vehicle behind them. Just continue going around until they take an exit. I think it's one of the best ways to let them do their job without any problems.
2:40 If we're not concentrating properly and something unexpected happens it's all too easy to create a scenario ; and 2+2=5 " ,,, !Police van pulling in and slowing ,,,,, maybe he's going to stop for something on the verge,,, I don't want to run into him ,,, he doesn't seem to be pulling ME in ,,,, focus on not hitting him ,,, pull out and overtake to avoid collision ,,, mirror ! too late !" On a wide road like this the police van might have maintained speed while tucking left. Black car would have had more thinking time. Bad,,, but he needed it!
