American Reacts to British Ambulance Driving!

[@olienajh]

Whenever I hear a woo woo (blue light responder) when I’m driving, I’m looking in mirrors immediately turning my head round like an owl to see where they are. We always get out of the way in the UK as you never know who could be in the back of the ambulance, the police responding to an incident involving family or friends or your house is burning down. Huge admiration for all blue light responders. ❤️

[@melgrant7404]

But at the same time you have to be careful how you manoeuvre out the way of the an ambulance as you could be fined for causing danger to others.

[@melgrant7404]

@John-Supablaze yes correct.but I think people act so quickly when it's an ambulance they may not fully realise a situation they may be creating as they haven't that much time to think it through.

[@theunitedkingdom5202]

Most true thing ever

[@CAAD]

Agreed, soon as its heard faintly I'm looking around to decide where I will move to if needed

[@chesterlester5770]

Shame our government doesn’t think the same way 😢

[@markwolstenholme3354]

A man this year blocked an ambulance and was fined £600, banned from driving for 3 years, ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work and do a 20 day driving rehabilitation course.

[@peterjf7723]

A few years back I heard about someone who just stopped their car rather than move out of the way when there was a fire engine behind him. There was no way the fire engine could stop, so his car was pushed about half a mile. He was also charged for damage to the fire engine.

[@richt71]

This ahole Mark - kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2rWgo2ErLmXbsU&ab_channel=TheIndependent

[@lorraineyoung102]

I watched that footage the other day! It's mind blowing that anyone should have that mentality isn't it!

[@citizenpb]

He should have said he was from JSO and he'd have got away with it. In fact the police would probably have brought him a cup of tea and a sandwich.

[@willharvie7154]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3rTYn2ujqqbaZo Here's the footage and story for that incident, absolutely unbelievable!

[@kitkatbrabson2794]

Hi, I work for the ambulance service. The cars are called fast response vehicles and are expected to be with the patient in 8 minutes. They don't transport patients to hospital an ambulance is sent to do that. The cars are equipped with life saving equipment and a drugs bag and are usually driven by a paramedic. They can often reach the patients fastest as they can get through traffic quicker. Our right lane is the overtake lane as we drive on the left. Loving your work x

[@bluebvur91]

thanks for your service! 🫶🏼

[@GnrMilligan]

My partner is a theatre sister so deals with the other end of your delivery service! So thanks for your skill! And a big shout out to the paramedics on motorcycles too!

[@evorock]

Thanks for your awesome work. I have SO much respect for anyone working in the ambulance service. It's not a job I could do, and this is coming from a teacher! don't forget to stay awesome, because you, and your colleagues are bloody amazing!

[@shaunbrasier774]

I thought the majority of the cars were crewed by AP's and not used as "rapid response" but when more care is needed/major incidents?

[@PbThunder]

​@@shaunbrasier774it depends on different areas within the UK. Some rapid response vehicles (RRV) are manned by advanced paramedics in certain areas. For my service RRVs are manned by critical care paramedics, doctors and paramedic officers.

[@t.a.k.palfrey3882]

US KZbin creators keep on referring to Brits driving on the left as if they were unique in doing so. Here in Kenya we do so too, as do drivers in Australia, Japan, India, Pakistan, South Africa, NZ, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Cyprus, Malta, Ireland... 68 countries in all, even the US Virgin Islands!!

[@anitawhite2669]

I'm glad you pointed that out. Sweden also used to drive on the left but in 1967 changed to driving on the right.

[@dee2251]

I agree, even in America they used to use the left hand side, though in the UK driving on the left is due to chivalry. As most people are right handed, the Knights of old made sure their right hand could always have easy access to their swords if approached by another rider, who might be intending to harm them and carriages did the same, hence why we drive on the left.

[@andywrong3247]

@@anitawhite2669 yes I agree sometimes Joel observations he has his blinkers on.

[@newton18311]

@@anitawhite2669 Ireland is changing from left to right Cars next week HGVs the week after.

[@paulsi1234]

@@newton18311 umm, I don’t think so 😂.

[@bradgooner3284]

When i was 8 (41 years ago) i was knocked off my bike, i went through the windscreen of the car backwards, the driver slammed on the brakes throwing me 30 feet into the curb head first, i had major head injuries, broke too many bones to list, i was in a bad way to say the least. The emergency services were top notch, i had two motorbike police and two police cars escorting the ambulance to the hospital. I will never forget the diligence of those responsible for saving my life. When i think of that day i always get a lump in my throat of what could've been if i didn't have that police escort. Many many thanks to those dedicated to help others in times of dire emergency.

[@raymoreton3184]

I have also had to have a police escort transfer when I was 9 months old from the local hospital to roehampton hospital london, which is about 60-70 miles I suppose, they were trying to get a helicopter I think but nothing was available so I had to be driven, imagine the cost of what we needed in america, that is scary.

[@queenbabylonia4594]

When you think at the end of a fast, vary attentive, hard push through traffic, and red lights, drive. There is no relaxation they are straight into their job of saving lives. Admiration to the full.

[@ivylasangrienta6093]

I don't think I've ever seen someone NOT give way to police/ambulance/fire service personally.

[@skidzer1]

sometimes see people being a bit slow moving over BUT when they actually notice then they do. The thing is your supposed to only get over when it's safe to do so, and you see people stop on blind corners etc, trying to do the right thing of course but.....

[@Gazzxy]

I have it hapens

[@catshez]

I remember pulling over for an ambulance, only for a black BMW to speed past me to travel behind the ambulance.. perhaps the person in the Beemer was connected to the emergency,or they just saw it as a quick way to go as fast as they wanted behind the ambulance.. I will never know 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@Gazzxy]

@@catshez being a BMW we can all asume the worst i suppose

[@catshez]

@@Gazzxy I admit I assumed the worst at the time, was late in the evening, light fading, there were at least two vehicles right behind me if not more, the way the beemer shot past me shocked me because I was looking in my wing mirror and indicating to move back out, when I saw the lights and I had to brake suddenly.. I instantly used some **** words to myself because I saw the bmw run the red light also.. but maybe that person really was following the ambulance because the person inside was important to them, a real emergency.. maybe not.. again could never know .. Not a normal occurence though of course, most people know the Highway Code in those circumstances !

[@helenpeck1954]

My niece is a paramedic, just so much utter respect for her as a young lady doing a very high pressured job and very skilled driving, keeping her nerve, keeping calm and delivering A1 care to her patients. Love her very much xx

[@wenglishsal]

Hi Joel, the faster traffic is always in the right-hand lane and moving over to the left (where possible and safe to do so) allow them to go past was taught during my driving lessons too.. If you hear sirens, it automatically makes you look for the blue lights.. Then when it's safe to do so, you move over to the left, if on a Motorway, as you've seen the traffic will split and allow the Ambulance/Police/Fire Engines to proceed down the middle. I must admit, when I see/hear them, my stomach tightens and I do sigh with relief when they pass by. All the drivers of emergency vehicles have been on advanced driving courses, and are top notch drivers, in my humble opinion. Best wishes from Wales.

[@scooby1992]

Yes , ideally people should and most do move over to the left , but you still get alot of people who dont want to ( even if the lane to the left of them is free ) and they often just slam on the anchors and come to a stop which makes the emergency vehicle have to go up the inside of them whilst being aware that a vehicle coming up from behind in the inside lane might not stop or the car you are having to negotiate around suddenly panicking and pulling left as you are level with them .Another common problem is when a line of vehicles have seen you and pull to the left , but the driver at the back hasnt looked in their mirror and goes to overtake everyone else as you are almost level with them . Most drivers are really good but there is a significant minority who just arent aware of what is happening around them .

[@skidzer1]

I agree with you@wenglishsal, I would also add that when they come past on the motorway I also think, god, how.many hours will we be sitting in traffic further up so some unlucky people can be treated

[@wenglishsal]

@@skidzer1 cor, I haven't been addressed as 'WenglishSal' for a very long time, that took me back a good a few years.. Best wishes, and 'pob lwc i chi' :D

[@johnloony68]

I remember watching a film of a high-speed dash by an ambulance rushing a heart for transplant. The journey was 200 miles, and it had to get to the patient within about 2 hours. There was a massive logistical operation by the police blocking key road junctions for miles ahead to keep the main road clear to allow the ambulance to zoom through at well over 100mph

[@alisoncauser2955]

I used to be a qualified ambulance technician so I used to drive ambulances. Most people are very thoughtful about trying to let emergency vehicles through. Occasionally people panic and hit the brakes which is the worst thing to do. Or they will pull over and manage to block the road because they pull in where there's a bollard in the road blocking the route. Some people play music that loud they can't hear us. But on the whole the British drivers are pretty good. One thing to remember when driving in traffic is leave enough room to be able to pull over if you have to.

[@Cjbx11]

There was case in the UK a few weeks ago where a guy had deliberately blocked an ambulance on an emergency call. The court sentenced him to 8 months in jail suspended for 18months, 200 hours community service, £600 fine, a rehabilitation course and he’s been banned from driving for 3 years. There is video of the incident here kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2rWgo2ErLmXbsU

[@CaptianInternet]

Ambulance drivers are underrated. To drive in any traffic counting seconds between life and death is such a thing. I just hope that when I am in need they are there for me.

[@LB-zc1hj]

Sometimes they have to drive just with the flashing light and occasional whoop whoop, as the siren can make heart patients deteriorate. Nothing but praise for our Ambulance service. When clearing out my parents house I found a receipt (pre national health service ) dated 1948 when an ambulance took my mother to hospital when she lost her first baby at 7 months it cost £2.00 which was 3 weeks wages for my Dad at that time! So thank goodness for our NHS and thank you for educating your younger British subscribers who just accept that our health service is there…it wasn’t always and your comparison videos hopefully help them to realise how lucky we all. Free health for all.

[@Dr_KAP]

Yes lights and sirens are usually used on the way to an accident rather than from the accident. A patient is usually stabilised before they leave and as you say sirens can cause additional stress. Of course there are always exceptions.

[@PbThunder]

Lights and sirens are used to respond to all category 3 or higher jobs. Sirens are supposed to be used at all times however this isn't common practice as they drive you crazy. In terms of transporting a patient to the hospital, we only use lights and sirens if it is time critical. Legally there is no exemption or reason to not use sirens.

[@breadmonkeys]

Ooh, love the history lesson, thank you, must have been hard for your parents... x

[@tedmagee5097]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@mlee6050]

I hate when they start the siren level with me walking on pavement

[@stephensmith4480]

Excellent stuff Joel. Only yesterday, on my way to work I had to put two Wheels on the pavement to let two Fast response Police cars past, that was in heavy traffic too. In this country people are generally very good when it comes to Emergency vehicles, we also have Paramedic Motorbikes too, which act as fast response and they will get to the scene before the Ambulance arrives to start to treat the patient as soon as possible and to see them negotiating Traffic is amazing. We did have one idiot last year who thought it was a good idea to pull out behind an Ambulance and follow it bumper to bumper in order to have a clear run. This clown lost his licence, got a real heavy fine and was told that any repetition and it would be Prison and quite right too.

[@101steel4]

I've always found pretty much everyone pulls over. Even in solid traffic people go up on the paths if they can.

[@Scottish_Rose]

We drive in the opposite side from you. Out overtaking lane is on the right 😊 also, when learning to drive here we’re taught to move aside for ambulance and police and fire engines. We all just pull over when we hear sirens generally speaking 😂

[@module79l28]

I'm baffled that he thinks that in LHD countries the passing lane is also the leftmost lane like in RHD countries. 😂

[@DD-wd7ku]

I understand that 'undertaking', ie overtaking on the left, is forbidden in the UK at least.

[@lorraineyoung102]

Hi Joel my husband is a Paramedic over here in the south of England so he drives both the RRV's (cars) and the Ambulances. Not sure what happens in the USA but when he's on the car here it's packed to the hilt with equipment so an Ambulance is always sent to back him up to take patients to hospital if need be but of course the idea is that in the car he can reach a patient ahead of the Ambulance and commence treatment. In some cases he may be required to leave his car at scene (to be retrieved later) and travel to hospital in the ambulance with the patient. Obviously all Ambulance Service staff undergo an intensive driving course during their training and would never expect other road users to do anything dangerous in order to give way. He always says just proceed until it's safe. It's not unheard of for people to panic and have an accident because they're trying to give way to an emergency responder. Of course there are always those who are oblivious and haven't even noticed when an Ambulance is right behind them🙄. My brother in law is also a driving instructor for the police so they have a few tales to tell between them! 😁

[@scooby1992]

Same here Lorraine . I have had about three occasions where a car driver has done the right thing and stopped at a green light to let me go and the driver behind them hasnt been paying attention and has rear ended them .Although it wasnt my fault you do feel guilty !

[@neuralwarp]

There's a target of 8 minutes from 999 call to ambulance on scene. That's near impossible to meet in rural counties like the four Yorkshires, so they rely more heavily on air ambulances (HeliMed). Those are funded entirely by public donations.

[@lightsoutforever]

The 8 minute target is for catagory 1 calls only. Thankfully these only account for a small proportion of calls taken. Catogory 2 calls have an 18 minute targets Catgaory 3 calls have a target of 120 minutes

[@sandradring6265]

I’ve never seen any problems with traffic not moving aside for ambulances. Watching this video makes me on edge watching how fast they have to drive! 😬

[@greg5639]

It's bred into us from not just learning to drive but also our parents telling us when we were kids, or at least my father always told me about how to safely move over for emergency vehicles and that you never know they may be rushing to one of your own family. Oh by tge way we drive on the left and overtake on the right.

[@CymruEmergencyResponder]

One thing that amazes me, is that emergency vehicle drivers in the US often have little to no driver training at all. Even those that do are often taught in areas closed off to the public so have absolutely no experience of emergency driving in real traffic situations until the first time they do it for real. That’s just crazy. The most basic course to drive an ambulance under emergency conditions in the UK is 4 weeks long, and consists of advanced driving techniques such as box overtaking, skid control, high speed driving and manoeuvring, IPSGA system of vehicle control, as well as practice emergency drives, followed by both written and practical tests. The practical tests include responding to a mock call requiring you to drive under emergency conditions for a period of time whilst being observed and examined. It is pass or fail.

[@BookishGecko]

If you get a chance and if you can find it you should check out 999 Rescue Squad which is documentary series following the Yorkshire HART teams (Hazardous Area Response Team) around watching them do their jobs is an experience and see how some of our highly trained medical teams work, Inside the Ambulance and Helicopter ER (following the Air Ambulance) are also great and sometimes you see the HART team from another perspective. They tend not to be too graphic because they’re usually on in the late afternoon early evening sometimes even the morning. It really makes me love the NHS even more and I think you’ll love seeing how they work.

[@were-all-human9427]

also Ambulance Code Red

[@marianbirks6594]

This amazing driver is most probably a seriously highly trained paramedic which makes it even more impressive

[@were-all-human9427]

@@marianbirks6594 all crews have to complete advanced driving course - On Ambulance Code Red (the fast response cars) are even higher trained I believe.

[@lauraroe2632]

People on the roads in the uk are very respectful to our emergency services. But we have had a few incidents over the years with idiots been very selfish and rude . But most of the time our drivers are brilliant at responding when there’s blue lights

[@derektaylor7844]

Good morning , you mentioned having someone in the car being taken to hospital , the vehicle in the video is a first responders vehicle , they are manned by highly trained paramedic and carry a wide range of equipment and permitted medication ,They are intended to arrive as quickly as possible , administer treatment to stabilise the patient ,They would not transfer patients , that is done in an Ambulance which also has the personnel and equipment needed ,

[@lightsoutforever]

That is correct however there have been occasions where I have conveyed the patient in the RRV due to the nearest crew being over an hour away or there being no DCA's available. I have only ever done it for minor injuries where the patient is stable but sometimes conveying is the best and only option.

[@andrewgarner2224]

Police car behind me on motorway, solid line of traffic to my left no room to move over. Put my foot down got to 110mph before there was room to move over. Police gave me a thumbs up as he passed. Nice when common sense is applied.

[@jcoop49]

That is what I was taught as a Driving Instructor.

[@john_smith1471]

Same mirror image principal in both countries, the lane nearest the central reservation is meant to be the the overtaking/fast lane, the driver always sits on the car’s offside.

[@catherinewilkins2760]

Nephew is a paramedic, most people give way to them. Technically we aren't supposed to pull over, but we do, they don't do blues and two's for tea breaks. Emergency vehicles use what ever lane they want, there is a risk though, we are all supposed to adhere to the Highway code. Many, many years ago, I went to a disco at a Firestation they had a blue, flashing light hanging from the ceiling. They had been called out to an Ambulance that had gone through a red light and had been hit by another vehicle and it had been turned over. The Firemen righted the vehicle, being the sort of people they are they nicked the blue light. They used to invite the Ambulance crews to events, so they could see their light. Now that's thoughtful, lol.

[@raymoreton3184]

My wife is a paramedic and one of the people she used to work with was going to a job in the outside lane of a small dual carriageway and one of the cars in left hand lane moved over and the guy driving hit him pretty hard and I'm pretty sure the guy died, I can't remember if the car driver had a passenger, I think the car driver may have been drunk or had some sort of alcohol in him or nothing at all(it was quite a few years ago now), but the guy driving the ambulance was able to return to work after the investigation, unfortunately it's pretty impossible to avoid having people bombing around fast and 100% safe, you can only try and lower the chances of things hitting other stuff, especially if you have something that weighs as much as an ambulance or fire engine then it will be hard to stop it or move it.

[@petersymonds4975]

Joel. This emergency vehicle was a paramedic car. This gives care and live saving treatment at emergencies, it does not carry patients. Patients are usually treated by standard ambulance crews which usually are the first to arrive. A standard ambulance has a crew of 2 and can carry a patient on a strecher and an accompanying passenger (seated). To get an ambulance you dial 999 (or 112) on any phone. Similar to 911 in the US or 112 in Europe. There is no charge for using an ambulance here, we pay for it in our taxes.

[@08shunter]

January 2010 I suffered a heart attack. These fast responders saved my life. I will be forever thankful to them. God bless them all. This was in the news recently kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3rTYn2ujqqbaZo Not everyone is respectful but this is an exception.

[@georgejob2156]

I'm the same ,it's low blood pressure and I take blackouts, our ambulance service is fantastic. Words of praise cannot describe how I feel,to all the paramedics in ambulances ,you are saints..

[@08shunter]

@@georgejob2156 I hope you are feeling better now. The NHS is a god send.

[@smeetscatchup]

Yes We only overtake on the right, its a traffic offence to overtake on the left ;) (Undertaking)

[@paulharvey9149]

We do overtake on the right - overtaking on the left is normally illegal. If there is a centre lane, you're also not supposed to hog it - but most people do, especially if there are lots of large, slower moving vehicles in the left lane.

[@Shebeast3]

nothing but absolute respect for all those who work in emergency services 🙏✌️👏🌹

[@johnhewett9483]

Hey joel i am an ex police traffic policeman from the seventies. Generally motorists did try to make way to allow you to pass. But the worst and most dangerous were the one's that when they saw and heard you approaching, they would just stop, often in a place where it was not possible to pass them easily. The last thing you want when approaching at high soeeds 80mph plus is to have to stop complety all of a sudden. ( 80 to zero mph stoping is much harder than 80 to 40 )

[@achloist]

Agreed, usually at a corner you can’t see round or the brow of a hill!

[@iansamuel5366]

Here’s one for you, I’ve never been able to find a definitive answer online. I’m a class 1 lorry driver, and in built up urban dual carriage ways or even main A roads, if I’m at a red light and I see blue lights coming, it’s not that easy for me to clear the way, so I always have, and until explicitly told not to, will continue to do so. Check for pedestrians crossing, honk my air horn for 2-3 seconds, and slowly proceed through the red light, allowing cars behind to use the 60ft of space that’s suddenly opened up to clear a path, before pulling left after or if not possible, blocking the junction to crossing traffic. In my view, that saves valuable 10seconds or so, which could make the difference

[@achloist]

@@iansamuel5366 indeed it could. I’ve been a paramedic for twenty five years in central Scotland. I’ve never had a problem with lorry drivers, they are far more aware of their surroundings than ordinary drivers. To the extent they can visualise what I can see from behind them and make allowances for it. They don’t stop on bends or the brows of hills, they move on and let you pass at the first safe opportunity.

[@iansamuel5366]

@@achloist it makes sense, we’re way more reliant on our mirrors so they are checked way more frequently, and, (although it’s dying out) the majority of us are professionals, and know what’s a sensible place to stop or move over too.

[@scooby1992]

@@achloist Yes , I dont know why drivers think the emergency vehicle behind them has a better view over the brow of a hill or around a bend than they do .Most drivers do their best and I dont think the ones that do are being malicious , they just panic .

[@Xantec]

in the UK, the drivers side is the on the right of the vehicle with left handed traffic flow, therefore we pass on the right. The car is a Paramedic response vehicle, faster and more nimble in traffic than the full size ambulances which are based on vans as opposed to estate (station wagon) cars

[@davidstevenson9052]

We call it the fast lane and it’s the lane next to opposite side of the road and lane closer to the trees is the slow lane ware caravans stay as they go slow lol 😂❤ from Scotland uk

[@trevorjackson4157]

Morning Joel, this was taken from a paramedic car, they often arrive at an accident first. As others have said, we are taught to watch out for the emergency services, and give way where it is safe. Since cameras have been fitted to traffic lights, we have been reminded that if we cross a stop line while traffic lights are red, we will be prosecuted, so the emergency vehicles have to wait until they change. They will get away with jumping the lights, unless they cause an accident. I'll have to go, my sister's arrived for a tea & chat. Have a good day, T

[@davidclark1545]

@@rebeccat94 he’s saying that other drivers will get prosecuted if they go through a red light to allow an emergency vehicle to progress.

[@trevorjackson4157]

@@rebeccat94 with the red light cameras, you would have to go to Court, and prove you gave way to an emergency vehicle.

[@davidclark1545]

@@rebeccat94 if it’s automated cameras, yes they will. Emergency drivers are instructed to switch of sirens in those circumstances to avoid pressurising drivers to commit a traffic offence.

[@ian_bradley]

You're so right! If you, as a standard driver pass through red light, you can/will be prosecuted - even if you are making way for for an emergency service vehicle to get through! If you have evidence that you were doing so, the court could dismiss any charges but its not guaranteed! Have those dash-cams at the ready lol!

[@scooby1992]

@@rebeccat94 They dont , but if there is standing traffic at red traffic lights in between the police , fire or ambulance vehicle and that traffic cannot safely move to the side or out of the way ( without going through the red light ) the emergency driver is taught to turn off the sirens and hold back so as not to put too much pressure on the traffic in front .

[@ItsaDigitalHamster]

6:25 - we drive on the left in the UK. The lane closest to the middle of the road is the fastest lane, and the outside lane is the slowest, because all of the entrances and exits to the road, as well as the hard shoulder, are on the outside. This means that when a vehicle enters the road it enters in the slowest lane by default and can then speed up and start overtaking others. Also, if you have to stop on the hard shoulder, you can accelerate more safely with slower traffic around you.

[@brianbrown826]

Hi, Joel do you have a cold? Sounds like it. Our Highway Code says to move over and make way for emergency vehicles. Recently there was a case where a driver deliberately blocked and ambulance, not just failing to move over but weaving along the road hindering the ambulance. The driver got a 6 months prison and other penalties.

[@lyncrippsTiffmarnie]

Interesting choice of film Joel pretty much everyone gets out of the way of the emergency vehicles in the uk keep doing what you do have a great day x

[@tracypriest4386]

If you noticed most cars slow down & indicate left to let ambulance ppl know😊

[@spikeswallow4010]

7:00 as we drive on the opposite side of the road to you guys yes the right lane is the fast lane the overtaking lane whatever you wish to call it

[@stepheley6417]

My partner is a paramedic and he's amazing at it. Massive respect to them

[@dawnstephenson1980]

I've gone out with ambulances before while nurse training, and it's amazing watching everyone getting out of the way.

[@Shoomer1988]

The most dangerous part is the ambulance using the hard shoulder because some people may hear the siren but not see the ambulance and pull into the shoulder. They mean well but can easily cause an accident.

[@richardwest6358]

This is NOT an ambulance but a Paramedic car

[@Shoomer1988]

@@richardwest6358 It has the word "Ambulance" written down the sides of it in massive letters. An ambulance is a "medically equipped vehicle which transports patients to treatment facilities" A paramedic car is an ambulance. A boat can be an ambulance. A helicopter can be an ambulance, hell, they're even called an air ambulance.

[@brxee]

There's a BBC documentary that's in about it's fourth series now called Ambulance. It gives a good insight, reckon you'd enjoy an episode. Each series has followed a different regional ambulance service so the predominant accents vary.

[@KGardner01010]

I always enjoy watching any videos that Chris puts out . . . so it was good to see you checking one of his out, Joel. He's not a typical ambulance driver though like the slower more bulky larger patient carrier ones you would see that have more issues getting through traffic, as he's now an even higher Critical Care Paramedic - so could also be the first responder to major local events, too, which can also include the air ambulance being called as well . . . Sadly though, if we ever do get these Smart Lanes taking over everything and the Hard Shoulder is lost to us, then it would become even more difficult for any EMSV's to get through rush hour traffic here . . .

[@jaytucker8834]

Absobloodylutely, can't believe that they've put in the so inappropriately named Smart Motorways. Disaster after disaster when there is difficulty for emergency vehicles getting through congested roads.

[@scooby1992]

It is already happening . As well as being inherently dangerous to anyone who has no choice but to stop on what was once the hard shoulder but is now a live lane they also remove an invaluable faster route to an incident for emergency vehicles .

[@mancyank564]

I was in a tunnel once when an ambulance came. 2 lanes packed and at a stand still. Every driver pulled to to right or left and there was just enough room for the ambulance. Then the drivers moved back. NO ONE took advantage and tried to follow in the ambulance's wake, they just stayed in position. Impressive.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Don’t worry, Joel: One day, you’ll be a pro at Roundabouts.

[@1971efc]

Everyone moves over for an ambulance because one day it might be them inside it

[@helenbailey8419]

The bus drivers are amazing here in England too.We breath in sometimes watching them

[@Grentastic]

Hi Joel, to answer your question about "fast lane"... Imagine it as a mirror image of US driving. We drive on the left of the road normally so junctions where people leave, or enter, the motorway would be on the left. This means traffic would slow on that side as they exit, and broken down (stationary)vehicles would be in the shoulder (on the left). Therefore the right lane is less likely to be impeded or have hazards, so is safer for faster traffic. (Oh, and I'm a blue-light driver ;) )

[@johnjg57]

Joel, the reason most people pull over to let an ambulance through is, people think that it could be me in that, do they let them through.

[@rogers2039]

That video is from Chris Martin EMS and I have to say he is a fantastic blue light driver. He knows exactly what his vehicle is capable of. On straight roads here in the UK people are generally pretty good at moving over, but the 2 biggest issues are when driving at speed (such as a motorway) you often don't hear the sirens approaching and are reliant on drivers' visual observations on what is going on behind them as much as what is happening in front. A more noticeable issue with van drivers that rely purely on door mirrors. The other big issue in these situations is people at traffic islands (roundabouts) not paying enough attention and not seeing beyond the first vehicle that they can see. In terms of multi lane roads such as motorways, we must always drive in the nearside side unless overtaking, at which point you overtake and return to the nearside lane. Nearside being the kerbside, outside lane being next to the centre of the road or central reservation, affectionately referred to as the slow lane and the fast lane. Here in the UK some vehicles have different speed limits on the same roads (i.e. a car can do 60mph whist a car with a trailer, larger vans, lorries etc can only do 50mph). I believe in the USA your major roads have lane speed limits whereas ours is the same speed regardless of the lane you are in. Emergency vehicles will only use the hard shoulder of a motorway if the other lanes are blocked or extremely slow moving, for exactly the reasons you saw then. Did you note that not long after he pulled back to the main carriageway there were 3 vehicles stranded in the hard shoulder, as well as being the most likely place to have picked up that puncture.

[@RJE48]

Driving on the left side of the road, everyone has to drive in the left lane unless overtaking. (Except on a one way system) Lane 1 driving lane Lane 2 1st overtaking lane Lane 3 2nd overtaking lane And so on So many people however do not follow these rules of the road and risk points on their licence and a fine for staying in the overtaking lanes when the left lane(s) are empty.

[@were-all-human9427]

.. it's when two more more emerg vehicles in tandom are running, with sirens. that crashes occur, as once the 1st has passed ppl pull back out, not realising a 2nd or more is behind.

[@monza1002000]

I pulled forward at a red-light just enough to let the ambulance through the traffic. I didn't receive a ticket so l had not gone far enough to trigger the camera. For reds & blues always a way to help them.

[@johnorchard4]

In Austria and perhaps Germany there is a cultural norm whereby if you are in a traffic jam (stau) then you work to create a free passage for emergency vehicles along the centre of the traffic. The vehicles in the left lane move left and the right lane straddles the hard shoulder.

[@stevehartley7504]

Emergency vehicles are not Legally allowed to jump traffic lights They can only do so if traffic allows Overtaking is only on the right as all exits are on the left Our cats eyes in the road on motorways are coloured too. Left hand red for slip road coming on, green slip road going off, general markers white and outside right lane orange.

[@maryhook9478]

Joel we drive on the left hand side in the UK. So of course we overtake on the right. However emergency vehicles may undertake if the right hand lane is blocked, but if they cause an accident they are liable. Also all emergency vehicle drivers have to take advanced driving courses and have to hold an advanced drivers licence.

[@colinwelsh2874]

You just took a tour of my home town of Stevenage

[@sebby324]

In the Uk the fast lane is opposite to the USA because we drive on the other side

[@elizabeths6261]

We were shocked when we were in LA that undertaking is permitted on the highway, in the UK the left lane (normal driving lane) isn't allowed to pass anyone in the middle or outer lanes. It's a bit unnerving being passed on either side when it's not normal to you.

[@101steel4]

I don't think undertaking is permitted. It's just their bad standard of driving lol

[@lightsoutforever]

You can pass people in the left lane if you are already in that lane and your lane is flowing fast than 2 or 3

[@dynamitecity9667]

OMG I just listened to your first ever video juvenescence and the: "Hey guys JPS here" is so adorable 😝🤣🤣 That voice certainly did deepen a huge amount

[@dinastanford7779]

My boyfriend was driving a St Johns Ambulance (volunteer first aid charity) ambulance along the hard shoulder on blues. They were transporting a child to hospital and they were delayed by the traffic and the batteries of the life support were running down. A policeman pulled them over and they explained the situation. He said "always wanted to do this. Follow me" and he escorted them through the traffic at high speed. The child arrived in time.

[@neuralwarp]

A driver on blue lights has various exemptions to the normal highway (ie road) rules, such as: ▪︎ stop signals become give way signs (yield) ▪︎ speed limits are advisory only Yes; they really do draft our laws to that level of pedantic detail.

[@ssemergencyworld7362]

The feeling you get when on a blue-light run is exhilarating. I love flying past people on the way to some properly exciting incidents. The adrenaline is pumping

[@neiljones5773]

In the uk we know to get out of the way of a blue light, we make every effort we can to not slow them down by using what the call positive inflection, indicating where where going to move, not blocking the shoulder, making space when we hear them, even when there’s a solid traffic jam and nobody is moving, we hear a siren, we make a lane

[@candice3559]

You are right jps it's etiquette and common sense, reading the road way ahead not just the fool in front helps avoid a collision. Having more space when driving could lull you into a full sense of security. Having less space must make you concentrate more. 😊

[@MrJoshmister]

Chris Martin EMS is such a good channel !! he does a really good job of showing how to (and not to) respond to an emergency vehicle behind you !

[@dee2251]

The overtaking lanes are the right lanes as it’s opposite to you. The slow lane and hard shoulder is on the left. It makes me proud that most of us here automatically pull over to allow ambulances & other emergency vehicles through. It’s like the parting of the Red Sea, though there’s always a few idiots who aren’t paying attention, or who may be playing their music so loud they can’t hear the sirens, or just carry on regardless.

[@ianwelburn5158]

On two or three lane motorway, the inside lane on the left is the driving lane. The other lanes are for overtaking. But once you’ve completed overtaking you move over back to the left lane

[@Kris1964]

What is quite interesting is that the London ambulances keep track of all previous accidents and where they happened and preposition ambulances accordingly to reduce response times

[@allenwilliams1306]

No: the chaps in the cars marked up as emergency ambulances are “first responders” only. They would almost never have any patient or casualty in the car with them. Their function is simply to get to the destination quickly, and do everything on the spot for the casualty or patient they can, principally until a properly equipped ambulance (the van-based ones with two crew) arrives. They will hang about after that to offer assistance, or until called away to another emergency, but their function is to keep the subject alive and breathing until the proper ambulance arrives.

[@minikipp8549]

We overtake on the right because we drive on the left! means people coming on can join in the 'slow' lane and people can move into the 'fast' lane to give them room. Also our driver is on the right of the car so its easier to check for cars over taking if the over taking lane is on the driver side of the car

[@iansamuel5366]

It’s the same for us, we pass on the outer most lane, which as you point out is the opposite side of the road to you

[@lachlanmain6004]

I remember one time where I was in a line of moving traffic when we heard approaching sirens, as one the line pulled over to the left, it was almost as if it had been choreographed, then after the ambulance had past the line moved back out, no one trying to beat the queue, just common sense

[@Scooterboi60]

We have ambulances and fire trucks all the time in Sydney CBD and close suburbs where the traffic is heavily built up and the emergency vehicle will cross the median strip and drive into oncoming traffic which also pulls over to allow the vehicle to pass.

[@trevorjackson4157]

They won't do that in the UK, but will drive against the traffic on ordinary roads, and across traffic lights, especially in London.

[@Scooterboi60]

@@trevorjackson4157 yeah, I know.

[@bristolmod]

I took my UK driving test in 1969- at that time you were automatically given a C1 licence as well so i could drive vehicles as large as Ambulances. These were automatically withdrawn when I reached age 70. My daughter who is a fully trained Paramedic had to sit an advanced driving test to drive one of these together with "Blues and Twos" training- she is now better qualified than I ever was!

[@dr18037]

I love how much he added to the first 3 minutes of the video

[@nigelrobinson3277]

Overtaking is the opposite to the US. this is because we drive on the left so overtake on the right. Lanes on motorways are known as one, two, and three etc - the max speed is 70 mph. There is no fast lane although some people think there is and it is an offence to stay in lane two and three if the lane next to you is clear. You mentioned the Ambulance car transporting patients, this does not happen as this is a rapid response vehicle with an experienced or Advanced Paramedic who will get to scene quicker and assess the scene and start treatment. Training to drive on blue lights is quite intense and the drivers that pass are registered to do that.

[@TheMarkBell]

Chris Martin is a legend, he has appeared on a few TV shows here in the UK including as a senior air ambulance doctor.

[@gleadhill79]

I watched this sniffling and coughing too, I hope you get better soon and it doesn't turn nasty like mine! That time of the year!! 😷🤕🤒🤧

[@EL1TEP3RCY]

7:24 yes the right hand lane is the overtaking lane, under normal rules all vehicles must pass on the right (overtake) not on the left (undertake). Vehicles operating under exemptions to rules (blue light vehicles) can pass on either side but the preferred technique is to pass on the right as that is familiar to other road users

[@MessersRecap]

For clarification for you Jps. In the UK The far left lane is classed as the slow lane or the lane where the main traffic is meant to be. The right lane is used as the 'fast lane' and or for over taking. Which just makes it simpler for people to overtake without having people in and out of lanes. Some people don't abide by it but some do.

[@philliplane4990]

if you want to respond to something look for the last post at the Menim Gate in Belgium. Evernight they close the road at 8.00 pm and play the last post for the troops killed in war. Only got stopped in the second war by the Germans. Brings me to tears. Have been there . God bless Belgium.

[@lincliff663]

We can hear the sirens from a long way off and have enough notice to check mirrors & pull over for emergency vehicles. On narrow roads I've gone onto the pavements to make way, have turned into a private driveway to let the ambulance pass & one time in the country drove into a field as there was no space to my left. I would say nearly every UK driver is tuned in & one just finds a way to make room for the emergency vehicles. I've never seen an ambulance having to stop completely - even in London. Yes, the right hand lane is the fastest lane.

[@russellpetrie119]

the average ambulance van costs around 120 thousand pounds and has roughly 8 miles of wiring put into it for the life saving equipment in the back

[@IW-tb8wr]

React to THE LIVER RUN. (45 mins version) from 1987 That is driving under pressurised response conditions. In two Rover SD1's they had to drive a Liver from Harlow to Knightsbridge in 30 mins covering roughly 30 miles. The operation to replace the liver had already started so they had someone's life in their hands

[@duomaxwell2293]

Usually, on UK motorways, we have 3 lanes, Lane 1 - left-hand lane for normal driving Lane 2 - middle lane for overtaking Lane 3 - right-hand lane for overtaking AKA Fast Lane (Priority to Emergency Services) for bypasses Lane 1 - left-hand lane for normal driving Lane 2 - right-hand lane for overtaking/Fast Lane (Priority to Emergency Services)

[@tinalongfellow7170]

95% of people move over when they see blue lights and hear sirens. In the UK, it's a serious motoring offence to actively block emergency vehicles. IT can lead to a very heavy fine and penalty points on your licence. In the UK you are allowed to get 12 penalty on your licence then your licence is taken from you for a certain amount of time.

[@crashnreset6987]

We drive on the left, so we overtake on the right Americans drive on the right, so they overtake on the left It's obviously essential to do this because vehicles join and exit from the outermost and slower moving lane, and would be dangerous and chaotic to make that the fast lane

[@johnfisher9816]

IMPRESSIVE!! Great video Joel. Overtaking lane is closest to the centre, so it's the opposite in the UK.

[@Diamondmine212]

The good thing to know is unlike America you don’t need to panic about calling an ambulance if your ever in an accident it won’t cost you $2,000 .

[@ramblingman8992]

In the UK all NHS ambulance staff at EMT level or above are required to undertake 4 weeks of intense driver training before they are allowed to drive on blues and twos. Non-emergency ambulance crews undertaking patient transport to/from medical appointments get 1 weeks driver training and cannot drive on blues and twos. Meanwhile, in the private ambulance sector, crews of all levels get a 3 hour driving assessment at the end of which they are allowed to drive on blues and twos even though they haven't been trained to do so.

[@JayRogers]

Yup, overtaking lane is always the rightmost lane for countries that drive on the left side of the road.

[@stephenreeves-brown7219]

I used to work with this chap when i worked as a paramedic in Hertfordshire..

[@joannacurran8475]

We drive on the other side of the road so yes, we overtake on the right, and we generally do not overtake on both sides as in some countries.

[@svnshin3xi151]

normally in the UK, the drivers try their hardest to move but sometimes its impossible e.g. at a red light, nowhere to go, single lane, one way. you can be fined if you don't stop, if you waiting to cross at the traffic lights and the lights are red for cars and you see an emergency vehicle, you HAVE to wait for the emergency vehicle to go through. they are allowed to go through red lights (if its safe to do so) but only in an emergency and they have a button in them where they can notify police that they didn't run the red light.

[@adambcakebread1244]

To answer your question yes we pass on the right. This is because we drive on the left. Driving etiquette is to pass on the outside of a vehicle opposed to the inside. On motorways you are supposed to use the outside lanes only for overtaking. When the road is clear you stay on the further inside lanes. Middle lane hogging is a massive gripe.