Overtaking an Ambulance

[Berries]

So, I was heading to Queenstown on Monday and was on for quite a good time. Came around a corner to see two ambulances just joining the main road from an intersection, later realised they must have been coming from the Arrowtown plane crash. The first ambulance had his lights going, the second one didn't. I sat back for a moment to let them get up to speed, but they didn't. The lead ambo was sitting at between 80 and 90km/h, I was happy cruising quite a bit faster.

Now, I will always pull over and give way, or stop at the lights when green, when I see an emergency services vehicle with lights and siren going, the last thing I would want to do is hold them up. But I was stuck behind these two for a while thinking should I or shouldn't I overtake them? I can't see that it is illegal, but does anyone consider it bad form?

[Shadows]

They were probably travelling slowly because of issues with the patient. I don't see a problem overtaking provided you don't force them to take any evasive action.

[Juzz976]

As long as you don't backfire near them, gear selection is key there.

They may get sick of checking their mirrors for that damn bike that just won't pass when they know you're thinking about it.

Obviously with all overtaking maneuvers....do it safely.

[Thaeos]

Just remember it's only legal overtaking if you don't exceed the posted speed limit... lollllllll.

[ellipsis]

....toot, wheelie and wave would be the thing to do...

[Gremlin]

I've overtaken a rural fire engine before... I felt he was going slowly, so very cautiously overtook down a long straight.

So I don't consider it bad form, but I certainly try to avoid it if at all possible (with all emergency service vehicles)

[unstuck]

Is overtaking a speeding police car.:innocent:

[Paul in NZ]

Meh! Overtake em.... But be warned he WILL catch up with you eventually....

[knuckles24]

By law you are allowed to overtake any emergency vehicle as long as you are not breaking the speed limit, as one of the other members said they were probably stabilising the patient, but common sense would have to kick in and if the sirens and lights are going the i would hang back as the last thing they need is a speeding motorbike roaring past.

[MikeD400]

No, i dont think its bad form. You should have done it then you would have a cool story instead of a stink question :p:p:p

[Berries]

I left the bits out that would make it a cool story.

[MikeD400]

I left the bits out that would make it a cool story.

Had a funny feeling u might have, hoping my previous comment would help u to expose it :)

[Berries]

What, and be judged by the KB collective?

Doubt it.

[JimO]

What, and be judged by the KB collective?

Doubt it.

judging already completed

[scumdog]

judging already completed

And doubly completed!

[Old Steve]

judging already completed

The Western Bay of Plenty judge gives a 5.5 for degree of difficulty and a 9.2 for execution. Total score 7.6

[tigertim20]

if you are passing them youre gonna be travelling at a higher speed than them, so you wont be holding them up, so I can see the problem.
Id bet though that if you passed them riding like a cunt, theyd be quick to pass your bike details onto the local cops

[Mad-V2]

if you are passing them youre gonna be travelling at a higher speed than them, so you wont be holding them up, so I can see the problem.
Id bet though that if you passed them riding like a cunt, theyd be quick to pass your bike details onto the local cops

Na they don't......They have more important stuff to worry about than dickheads like me passing them.

[Captain_Salty]

pass them safely then pull over to let them pass. repeat:sunny:

[Brett]

Don't see any issues with passing them if they are going slower than you. Courtesy would insist that you didn't pass them 'up on one' or at 200,000rpm with a race can fitted (might be a bit off putting while caring for someone injured...). Overtaken a few ambo's, cops, fire trucks in the past, never had any issues. Share the story, who cares about this judgemental flock of sheep. Edit * most are keyboard warriors, not much more.

[Berries]

I figured they had patients onboard so might be taking it easy while someone worked in the back. I also knew I didn't have far to go before the speed limit dropped to 80 where I would probably have had to let them go past, then a few more miles before they turned off to the hospital. If it was way out in the boonies I would have eventually got bored and passed them. As I sat behind them I was just thinking how I have heard that St Johns staff see motorcycle riders as mobile donors so overtaking them in the shitty weather conditions may have been frowned upon.

Oh well, next time I know to give them a wave as I go past.

Oh no, a waving thread.

[Griffin]

As a Paramedic myself, I can state with confidence that the only ordinary reason an Ambulance would be travelling slowly with its beacons operating is due to having a Patient in the rear and fellow Paramedics doing what they need to do for that Patient, therefore requiring a stable platform in order to accomplish that. In these circumstances, the beacons are operated as a warning to other road users to be aware of the Ambulances presence and to give it fair berth so that the driver doesnt have to take any evasive or sudden actions (like cars pulling out suddenly or pedestrians at crossings popping out quickly as they often do). The sudden need for emergency braking or swerving compromises all persons in the back who may be in vulnerable positions due to the nature of the work they are undertaking.

Overtaking an Ambulance in this scenario is not illegal (as long as it is performed within the law of course) However the Paramedics on board - especially the one driving, would probably appreciate it if the manouvre was carried out with due care, attention and consideration. Over revving, tooting your horn and yelling obsceneties followed by cutting sharply in front of the Ambulance would probly be followed up with a visit from mr plod for a quiet word as you would have endangered the lives of not only the Paramedics on board but a potentially compromised Patient as well.

[Banditbandit]

The Western Bay of Plenty judge gives a 5.5 for degree of difficulty and a 9.2 for execution. Total score 7.6

I'm sorry but my Eastern Bay of Plenty calculations say that makes a total score of 7.35.