999 response Short trip decisions

[@ashley_neal]

Your ability to read intentions at pace if top draw. Nothing in that video was anything but low risk. Most struggle at or around the speed limits. Nice job as always Chris 👊

[@malccraven5276]

From the point of view of the rest of us, your pocket of space mentality can potentially become even more important in these situations as we are already in the mindset of judging where the space is or will be and can therefore engineer our own movements to create the space for emergency vehicles. I'm thinking similar to the way the lorry, police driver and two vans all saw the space to leave.

[@lukecarruthers]

Have you both (Ashley and Chris) considered a collaboration? Would be really useful I think to combine Chris's response driver POV with an Instructor POV, from Ashley. Thinking around how to be helpful, how and where is best to stop, when it might be better for a driver with an Emerg. vehicle behind to keep going rather than stop...?

[@larry365]

And then he gets out the car and saves a life! Just the utmost respect.

[@ibs5080]

Well now, fancy seeing you here Ash!

[@rustydusty2992]

@@ibs5080 Fancy seeing you here Ibrahim, have a good one.

[@MrJmo87]

I think your videos should be shown in the theory part of a driving test, so that people know the correct thing to do when they come across emergency vehicles.

[@MrJmo87]

They could also be used on driver awareness courses.

[@PKMartin]

Replace the pointless hazard awareness test with videos like this from the POV of emergency responders, HGVs and other road users with particular needs you need to be aware of

[@MrJmo87]

@@PKMartin There should also be a mandatory 8 hours of driving on a motorway with an instructor or mandatory pass plus course.

[@type17]

Especially the fact that an *oncoming* blue-light vehicle needs help from drivers stopping to avoid closing gaps, as seen at the end of the video - too many drivers only consider stopping or pulling in when the blue-light vehicle is behind them.

[@ianjohnson1207]

Is this even legal on a personal car? there seems to be a lot of discussion on other sites, with no clear answer? Regulation 16 of the RVLR holds that only "emergency vehicles", as defined in regulation 3 of that instrument, may be fitted with blue warning beacons or special warning lamps. For the purposes of your question, a vehicle is an "emergency vehicle" if either: it is used for ambulance purposes, or it is an ambulance - that is, a vehicle other than an invalid carriage, which is constructed or adapted for the purpose of conveying sick, injured or disabled persons, and which is used for such purposes.

[@Ed-ws1xe]

Can we have more videos like these? Everyone should watch these kind of videos. They have definitely influenced my driving!!

[@m341ehw]

4:29 a full-size ambulance passes the truck at the junction just a good reminder there may be multiple emergency service vehicles and that the sirens may be confusing. Your videos are always an education and an eye opener!

[@mouldyrx8]

I think with the part with the hgv if you notice just as it comes into view a ambulance just passes presumably on a call so the hgv driver might be thinking the sirens he can hear are following the ambulance hence why he was cautious pulling out of the junction not to block the road with the turning circle taking up most of the road… not realising the sirens where actually behind him.

[@angushuddy4600]

I always find the hardest bit about response driving is being calm and patient, knowing when to push through and when to hold back and wait. Ive been driving Ambulances since May '24 and still get the odd scenario where I make a minor error which results in delayed progress. Always learning! So may times I get the car coming towards me stop, and the car going my way keeps going and doesnt notice me until they end up stopping inline with car on other side 🤦 or people panic and slam on the brakes. For the public, mirrors! Dont panic! If you cant get out the way, keep going and find a good place to move out the way...

[@MK-1973]

Thanks Chris, great video - the sections with annotations followed by the complete run was very helpful and worked really well.

[@grahamlawrence2491]

Thanks, Chris, a very informative video as always. I am a ROSPA advanced driver and I’m always looking for videos such as this to improve further. Your points on position are particularly helpful. More please!

[@ianhull3512]

Fantastic work, thank you for what you do.

[@steveharleyfan]

Nice job Chris, and also the public that were around you. Here in Ottawa, Canada, I've seen that EMS (Paramedics, Fire, Police) rarely use their turn signals. They expect everyone to pull over to the driver's right and stop, and they will work their way around you. To me (a Brit now living in Canada) this is counter-productive, as I feel if I'm approaching a junction when an EMS appears, I can make sure that I'm appropriately positioned for the direction he wants to take.

[@markgr1nyer]

I really like the highlights followed by the full run Chris

[@robertsprigge5535]

Lots more helpful recommendations, thanks Chris. Enabling the flow is a crucial message, which is essential for new drivers to be aware of. You also taught me about the problem with the double white lines on the A602. I always watch out for blue lights in the distance there including, when I join this and the other dual carriageways that you often use.

[@Calvi36]

Another great video Chris, I really liked the ones that you made showing your speeds.

[@sylthecat]

Nice video! Thanks for you showing this!

[@BerraLJ]

Nice explanations, always get stressed when blue lights show up, being in a 9m long truck makes moving out of the way bit harder for sure.

[@lautoka63]

Explaining your thinking is very useful. Tim in his channel Pure Glide does the same for glider pilots; both educational and useful.

[@ImSkully]

2:30 is just brilliant to see. Would love to have more videos like this, thanks Chris!

[@David_Crayford]

Excellent video. Very instructive. I might have done the run first, then the highlights, but you have thought about this longer than I have.

[@ChrisTankCrasher]

Hi Chris, I have my CERAD in the next few months with NWAS (new start EMT) These videos will be a huge benefit, so thank you for sharing.

[@paul8161]

Great driving chris, thanks for the insights, nice to see the public helping you to. Nice one.

[@BenM14-ZW11]

I like this format. Videos like this should be shown to learner drivers so they know how to respond to emergency vehicles.

[@Stoobers]

Love your videos Chris, pretty much every one is what I would consider should be taught to all drivers once a year in the UK to know what to do or not to do in the situation there's some blue lights coming up behind or in front of you. Spell check the captions though ;) hehe

[@KMC-DIY-Official]

dude i just watch your videos because they just help me learn more of what to look for in drivers, not just for first responders but also for anyone else on the road, it is also really satisfying to see the percentage of the drivers on our roads that dont just go into panic mode when they hear sirens or see blues. and i just love every emergency service in the UN lol. but seriously. i absolutely love these videos because they give a better view of what actually happens with less cut-offs than the documentaries from the BBC and other big companies. love the videos. seriously do. ❤

[@chrishebden1]

Love these types, thank you very much.

[@2810Bondy]

Awesome. skill and concentration

[@LoadingRetroGames]

Brilliant videos.. really help us know what to do

[@R04drunner1]

Brilliant. Really instructive and helpful.

[@mikeymcmikeface5599]

Greats insights into operating an emergency vehicle!

[@staffordian]

Fascinating as ever, and always with good learning points for us mere mortals. Is it just me that thinks that the video always gives the impression you are going more quickly than you are?

[@paulevans9307]

Lots of nice reactions there! I just seem to get the Range Rovers that will slow from 30mph to 25mph with a left indicator on, and all the oncoming vehicles doing nothing. Or coming to a stop just in front of the stuff on my side, leaving no gap to get through.

[@DGQ1Q2]

Very good.

[@Du5ty999]

Enjoyed the video. I get your logic behind leaving the tones on behind the HGV, however, I think it's more likely to panic a driver to carry out an action that isn't safe. Knock off the tones and hang back.

[@Paws4thot]

Offsiding and Straight-lining both always useful. It would be more helpful if you could be sure other people would do correct Deviations in response to them though.

[@mrb3673]

Hi Chris, just wanted to say I love these videos, mainly because I'm a local lad and always recognise the roads you use around Hitchin/Luton etc, and also because I enjoy seeing the great standard of driving and calm way you go about tackling the issues you come across. I always keep an eye out for you when I'm out and about working, hoping one day to be in one of your videos as you fly past! Great work, thank you for your service.

[@finlayhaseldine]

What your rank now? I see your epaulets have changed on the command bit, Not the clinical bit. Can I ask why you respond in an Unmarked vehicle rather then a marked RRV. And do we have a vehicle walk through of this car or something we can get? Going in detail about everything from inside and outside the vehicle.

[@kempo_95]

this is his personal car I believe that he has shown almost 2 years ago. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3unfquXfN2Sg7M&ab_channel=ChrisMartinEMS Now with updated lights that he showed in a video 2 days ago.

[@mouldyrx8]

As far as I’m aware Chris is a consultant paramedic well he was for LAS maybe 18 months ago but now works back where he was

[@finlayhaseldine]

@@mouldyrx8 I don't think he was, He was a CCP at some point and an AP...I don't think he ever worked for LAS last I knew, I believe he is East of England Area.

[@finlayhaseldine]

@ Yeah I understand it's his personal car, and have seen that didn't realise that was the latest vehicle

[@findthebadger418]

@@finlayhaseldine He was seconded into the LAS for a short time as a consultant para. Now back with East

[@TheByard]

Very good video and very well explained your intentions. I have mentioned before but with all the blue flashing lights the eye is taken off the vehicles direction indicator lights. These should be ENHANCED so other drivers know the emergency drivers intentions. This well be very helpful at roundabouts and other junctions in heavy traffic. As vehicles might think pulling to the left for EXAMPLE, would actually block the EM route. I have seen police cars jammed in traffic with each of the officers giving different hand signals to vehicles in front, funny to watch but not funny to happen. Chris I wish you safe driving in 2025

[@NearCry91]

0:38 Didn't the Nissan also stop before a narrow bridge?

[@ryanbarry7670]

Great video as always. I don't speak for everyone but I enjoy the brief written commentary on thought processes but would prefer to still have the video uncut instead of it playing again, as it feels like wasted time rewatching the same bits over again

[@Alex-mh7ql]

Would you be indicating left for the truck, looked like he may have been waiting to go opposite direction to where you're going?

[@DaveG7920]

Interesting video, some good points. I disagree with you leaving the sirens on behind that truck. Lights yes, sirens no, if people can move at junctions, they will, a siren blaring away just distracts them and puts them under pressure and they are more likely to panic and make a mistake. Other than that, good stuff.

[@maxmorgan2042]

Can emergency vehicles go over double white lines?

[@findthebadger418]

The same rules apply for any vehicle at double white lines, no further exemptions for emergency vehicles.

[@fsstickman1]

what is your rank in the ambulance service?

[@findthebadger418]

Some kind of 8B or 8C role, likely in the head of operations role.

[@sean5431]

Is your car unmarked, saw the blue light video but thought it might have been waiting for decals etc.

[@alexhogg3494]

The audi is his personal car which he uses when he's not on duty

[@brianbickle7395]

Do you find people respond more to a marked or unmarked vehicle??

[@robertsprigge5535]

My guess is that most drivers assume Chris's car is an unmarked Police car, we have a lot of them in Hertfordshire and, I for one, didn't even know we had unmarked Ambulance service cars until I started to see Chris's videos

[@brianbickle7395]

@ so there’s the possibility of someone who doesn’t like cops trying to be smart and not get out of the way??

[@ilikechickensausages2075]

​@brianbickle7395 That's a possibility or they are wanted that could start a vehicle chase by accident, I think marked car is the go some type of magnetic strip with a logo.

[@martinwellman6175]

hi chris i would like to know why you use an unmarked car .as i only know it in the police

[@alexhogg3494]

The audi is his personal car which he uses when he's not on duty.

[@findthebadger418]

He is in a role that has an on-call function - Ambulance and the fire service have a wide range of unmarked vehicles. They belong to the owner (rather than the trust) and are their personal vehicles, however because they are on call as either a clinical resource or management they have emergency warning devices installed.

[@Scoupe400]

For clarity, when you say view, presumably that’s double impact : your view but also others viewing / seeing you too? Some of these ‘being seen’ tactics are used on the bike too and highly useful. Passing vehicles etc becomes much easier ; many people not realising overtakes can be safe. Unfortunately a chunk of the few people that do overtake think they can ‘push’ through - causing others to evade or brake. This is the step change difference that you’re able to take with your blue lights, albeit a highly calculated judgement you have to make every time. Presumably?! Hand in hand with that, presumably you have plan B / exit strategies each time?

[@alex_asd_1227]

You probably get asked this a lot but what exactly do you do? Are you an actual paramedic or someone who just drives the cars n do like educational stuff??

[@mrstainless9460]

@4:28 Going to the same incident as the ambulance passing in front of the lorry? Ambulance was probably the reasons the lorry was still there.

[@jtsoldier]

Just spotted this. Wondering the same.

[@ilikechickensausages2075]

Even has time for a mint.

[@Isa_7511]

Why is it an undercover car

[@darkmann12]

*chomp chomp chomp *

[@shm5547]

1:14 poor riding from that cyclist IMO, yes they kept left, but went straight through the 'door zone' of that parked car. I generally try to get out of the way of an emergency vehicle ASAP when I'm cycling. In this scenario, I would have pulled in and stopped behind the parked car, then turned to look at the driver of the response vehicle so that they know I've seen them.

[@kempo_95]

You just want to show everything twice so you have a longer video and more ad revenu. 🤣 Good video though!