Hitchin to Hexton; blue light run - part 1

[@jonah406]

Every single driver seemed switched on to your presence, and reacted safely and promptly, really good to see,

[@epictetus9766]

Apart from the vehicle that emerged front the side road.

[@HotAxleBox]

I passed my test on 5th April this year and your videos teach me stuff that driving instructors never really have the opportunity to teach, only once did we have to pull over for the emergency services. Your videos are invaluable, thank you so much for sharing.

[@cazee100]

My goodness but you are an excellent driver. Take my hat off to you. Stay safe

[@williamfence566]

Couple of nights ago I was approaching traffic lights and saw Blue lights in my mirror a distance away but catching. I went through on green signalled early to the left and slowed noting the hatchings further up on a straight bit of road I kept momentum as I'm in a HGV but aware that the road became a right blind bend further up . The ambulance past me where I thought he would which was the safest place on that stretch for both of us . He gave me a flash of the hazards once past, he had no sirens on throughout. Your video's have enhanced my decision making and the thoughtful appreciation of the ambulance driver backed it up . Thank you

[@Pobsta-de7hb]

3:21 i like how the van or what you call it, floored it to get past the centre keep left, so you had space and kept your speed without having to wait for him to do so, little things go unnoticed sometimes but I am sure you saw it, I mean some of us watching

[@LewisMacdonaldMedia]

Excellent video bud. I absolutely am addicted to watching these.

[@cejay67]

You too eh?

[@g-r0370]

what beast is this man driving?!! and how is he SO CALM AT THOSE SPEEDS!!?!? WOW!!!!!

[@Fireball15432]

Wonderful video, and absolutely great driving

[@dean30461]

Hi Chris, just stumbled across your channel a few days ago. Absolutely love all your videos. Great driver. Keep it up & keep them coming!

[@paulkaminski8829]

Great drive Chris, initial heavy traffic handled beautifully and overtake on the truck timed spot on. Thanks for the content.

[@michaelwincott]

This is so good. Love the text commentary. Thank you, Chris, for all you do.

[@johnmac2152]

Well done Chris, yet again 10 out of 10, stay safe!

[@iandouglas6437]

After living in Thailand for 15 years it is good to be reminded how civilised drivers behave.

[@ECML_South]

Another top video! Thanks for the work you do and sharing your experience! 🤜

[@lautoka63]

Ironic as it may seem, I find watching your skilful driving quite relaxing; perhaps as I can't get my glider out while we're in lockdown on the other side of the world.

[@winnex317]

Wait, where is this? I'm curious, here in Denmark everything is back to normal, has been for a while.

[@lautoka63]

@@winnex317 New Zealand; 27 deaths in 5 million people.

[@leonardochapman4736]

@@lautoka63 NZ have done amazing with covid, props to your government, especially with their salary cuts for government workers, using the money to fund your health service. Here in the UK, 1 in 15 are now covid positive

[@gdwnet]

Thanks for these Chris. They've certainly helped me to be more aware when I've got blues around me!

[@ogdrummer3826]

Really interesting and amazing by the way emergency response vehicles manoeuvre through traffic . Top job sir 💪👍

[@JF-xx9yn]

Awesome video. Thanks for posting!

[@lynx.319]

love watching paramedics driving so well

[@ChrisMartinEMS]

HI, no, I was calling my progression through that junction clumsy.

[@clownfiesta8840]

Some top quality driving here Chris I must say well done!

[@DJSPYROOF]

Great video, Great driving again

[@Ryan-zv3os]

I think this channel will blow up, keep up the great work pal!

[@bentdog8917]

Where’s the overlay info gone? I enjoyed that. Great drive as per usual.

[@Archerdon88]

Itd be a nice thought that some of the drivers who do a good job of helping your progression and easing your journey such as that bus driver actually end up watching these clips so they know how much their effort is appreciated by emergency drivers on blues and does make a difference. That positive reinforcement would be a good way to continue to encourage this kind of awareness and careful driving in more people I love your videos by the way, going the extra mile over all the other blue light run channels out there with your edtra perspective cameras and written commentary, very interesting. It would be nice to see the speedo return as im curious of what speeds youre able to achieve on those clear country roads

[@just_arand0mplayer727]

Great driving Chris, what happened to the speedometer?

[@ritchsuk1840]

Now I do this road a lot! And wow what a lovely smooth drive, it’s a very challenging road to drive at leagal speeds as lots of blind bends, poor roads surface and narrow lanes in places!

[@andygj66]

Agree - full of traps for the unwary. Can be icy in winter with parts of it not seeing sun for the whole day. Very rural too, so farm vehicles always a risk. A key route between Hitchin and the north side of Luton so can be busy.

[@robertsprigge5535]

I do this run from the A1(M) to Barton-le-clay from time to time and certainly agree with richsuk about those bends! I don't often exceed 40 - 50 mph on the countryside section. The speed limits change frequently on this section, as does the county boundary!

[@gullideckelhd8208]

Very interesting and well made video!

[@polopowered]

That was exhilarating. My heart rate is up just watching you.

[@TheBasicBiker]

Some of the best driver awareness of your presence to date so far maybe :)

[@simonspanswick467]

Great video. As a UK driver, might I suggest swapping the positions of your rear view camera and driver camera? Looking up to the left for a rearview mirror comes more naturally, IMHO.

[@creativeaero_2023]

That was a tough one well done 👍🏼

[@epictetus9766]

Awesome driving skills - stay safe!

[@bastooopanooo2311]

Thans a lot for an amazing video

[@keithhaynes8079]

Many thanks again Chris.

[@Demun1649]

When learning to be a "blues" driver I was taught to indicate left, slow down, and winding down my window, stick my right arm up in the air, when in my own car. Have used that method many, manty times, and it seems that all the other drivers just overtake me because they haven't used their mirrors.

[@ryanyoung7170]

Perfect views, perfect drive. So quick yet safe. Have you thought about becoming a racing driver Chris haha. Can’t wait for the next one cheers!

[@txerrible1386]

great video and seemed like some big speed on the empty straight roads, would like to see more of the speed overlay and even the 360 degree

[@airbus350ulr]

Great work

[@Memyselfanddave2724]

4:12 my dad is a retired police officer and he was a response driving instructor. He told me “assume every other road user is a poor driver and drive accordingly”

[@johnmh1000]

My driving instructor (from 30 years back), and an ex police driver told me "every other driver on the road is a berthing idiot and just you treat them as such". Still remember it and apply same.

[@TidyTransport]

I take none of these video's as 'professional' tuition, but been a professional driver myself for some 18 years now and having driven long distances on country roads barely designed for horse and cart, let alone HGV's, I can tell that the constant awareness, spanning awareness and observation takes a lot of mental power and energy. Amazing drive again Chris. By any chance, is your car a Skoda Octavia 4x4 VRS TDI? They seem to be the go-to single response vehicle for East of England Ambulance Service these days.

[@seraphina985]

I think he has said it was a Skoda Octavia before so I presume it is that one.

[@TidyTransport]

@@seraphina985 I know it's an Octavia, but I was wondering on the exact model. Don't worry!

[@pogump]

I remember from a video channel from the Netherlands “Ambuchannel”they had an expression they used and the word LOLO (Leave Open Lane Open) and that was a very good thing for road users to know,no matter where in the world you are driving.

[@bastooopanooo2311]

OMG that guy was so amazing What happend to him Do we have his old videso somewhere?

[@sam_11895]

Is this car also your personal car if so do you keep all your medical gear in it while going shopping for example or dropping someone off??

[@More-Space-In-Ear]

Those cars are well tuned up, great acceleration just when you need it..

[@Mrgnothing1]

If you're a new paramedic and you need to learn blue light training, do you start of learning in a car or do you learn fully in an ambulance?

[@findthebadger418]

Learn in a truck first.

[@benabusthethird9751]

That stretch into Hitchin is an absolute nightmare at times

[@sonnybarnett3218]

Love your video! Is there anyway you could give a bit of info about what the incident your attending is?

[@pepperroni6252]

I'm liking the ticks for good drivers.

[@BBD0984]

Are you using limit points/vanishing points, particularly towards the end of the video?

[@chrismgallen]

Hey Chris, really appreciate these videos. Just a question for you - what's the difference between the videos where you are wearing a service shirt (like this one) and the videos where are just wearing a vest? Are you performing a different role on those occasions? Thank you!

[@GeorgeThoughts]

I'm going to guess one is where he's on the clock, and the other is when he's responding from home via pager

[@BBD0984]

As a bus and coach driver, I always try to find a spot that leaves space for the blue lights. Obviously the size of the vehicle means I can't just stop as easily as all the cars in this video. It normally means just holding well back from a junction or obstruction like this bus driver did 👍🏻

[@kevharleyhughes]

Can i ask why your car is black and not marked up like other paramedic cars and ambulance's

[@Jek47]

One thing I’ve always wondered about police / ambulance sirens is: there’s three different modes or settings that you seem to cycle through as you’re driving, is there any purpose to or reason behind the sound that you select? like for different traffic conditions? or is it just because it gets annoying listening to the same sound constantly?

[@biobeat8195]

So what is it you do In the NHS, I’ve watched a few videos (Enjoying them right enough) Are you a Paramedic FRU? Or a Doctors Unit?

[@runarandersen878]

I was walking the other day when I heard an ambulance. Because of this videos I was more interested in how the other cars reacted to it, rather than the ambulance it self. A bit strange, but good I think.

[@joshimuddin1483]

The truck over take was the best...

[@ginobragoli1448]

Great driving, what car are you using this time?

[@vfxperson4073]

is there a limit to how fast you're allowed to go in the differnent speed zones?

[@UKallroad]

I was expecting to see some irresponsible ego maniac driving dangerously but was pleasantly surprised. Brilliant driving, thank you! I also thought it said Hitchin to Hexham though!

[@abigray8585]

Your concentration is incredible, are you a quick response paramedic?? (If that’s what they are called).

[@ei7jkdave]

Bring back the 'speed overlay' please!!

[@LittleBuscus]

Love these videos, entertaining and informative. Just wondering, how come you have an unmarked car? I get why the police have them but not sure of the purpose in the NHS.

[@ryanmitcham5522]

From what I can gather he is in a more senior position, probably on call a lot. Don't really want a fully marked vehicle when he is going to Tesco with his family.

[@CymruEmergencyResponder]

Excellent driving as usual. Shame the trucker wasn’t alert to his surroundings.

[@madmax]

7:24 pretty sure the truck didn't even check his mirrors and had no idea you were behind him.

[@thescottishpanda5]

Because of the road Chris was on, he couldn't get into the lorry driver's line of sight. He did keep his tones on, and changed them a few times but the lorry driver needs to see the lights and hear the sirens together. The lorry also couldn't stop safely and in a way that would help Chris' progress so although the lorry may have been oblivious to the presence of the blues or even the sirens, I think it was because of Chris not being able to see far enough ahead to make the overtake, Chris not being able to get into the lorry driver's line of sight, and/or the lorry not really being able to stop effectively (as mentioned above).

[@madmax]

@@thescottishpanda5 When he first comes up behind the 2 cars and the lorry, the driver should have easily heard the siren if not seen the reflections of the lights. And then at 6:57 he could have easily pulled into that layby.

[@thescottishpanda5]

@@madmax I agree with you on your first point. The layby however wasn't big enough for him to *easily* pull into. He would have probably got in, but not easily I don't think. I get what you're saying though.

[@johnmh1000]

What great driving and awareness from other road users. Just to confirm this is not Essex, right? 😁😁

[@robertsprigge5535]

It's Hertfordshire into Bedfordshire.

[@andreaschristensen8239]

Very skilled driver and I am very secure about my own driving skills but on those tiny roads I was a little scared. It might say something that you drive there regularly.

[@S4von]

what car is that?

[@AlexNicol2890]

What’s the wagon? Octavia vrs? The driving is brilliant. Emergency vehicle drivers are the peak of public driving and if it wasn’t for one swift incredibly smooth ambulance driver, I wouldn’t have a daughter to hold in my arms to this day!

[@AM2K2]

Cheers - nice driving, is the speed meter gone or just for this video?

[@alanwylde187]

What car are you using there?

[@paull7725]

2:43 what was that buzzy noise ?

[@ChrisMartinEMS]

At just the wrong revs the front light on the windscreen vibrates.....

[@lachlanmills9628]

What car are you driving?

[@yahahaa112]

Question: are you peeping the horn or is it automated?

[@gwishart]

The horn acts as a switch for the sirens; so you don't need to take your hands off the wheel.

[@googledruid]

Finally.... Some educated drivers!

[@dr2okevin]

7:27 Sad that the Truck don't give any turn signals. He should have a good overview of the road from his cabin, and see when it is free to overtake.

[@iamaparanoidandroid1]

3:15 - The tipper transit got his toe down to get through the narrow section and get out of the way.

[@FieryBlazeYT]

Great Driving. The only thing to mention though is siren usage. Sometimes you keep the Yelp on and forget to change it. If it's on too long it can prevent other drivers from being able to hear it as they can get used to that siren if it's being used constantly. Other than that, great video

[@bikevault2302]

what car do you have

[@andrewprettyquick2070]

overdrive. very pertinent rendezvous. thinking of driving a fire engine.

[@ItsMeerken]

Hi Chris, is this an unmarked ambulance responder vehicle? Cracking video, and a great response too.

[@stew2205]

Can't believe anything actually happened in Hexton. Did a barrel need changing in the Raven? Seriously though, enjoyed this video.

[@0000001000000111000]

I live in Hitchin and drive these roads daily. I hope to never get in your way!!

[@davidbowen60]

Would be nice if we could see your speed on the screen nice vid by the way 👍🇬🇧

[@SiRhodesDriverTraining]

4:12 I call that Zombie Mode. They probably live down that street and they have done that junction hundreds of times. There’s not usually an Emergency Vehicle coming so they don’t expect it or look for it and go into auto pilot.

[@bleees1637]

I kinda thought the criticism of the driver pulling out was unfair - although Chris has blues flashing, it's an otherwise unmarked car, which literally 1 or 2 seconds before in the video would be hidden behind another car, from the perspective of the emerging vehicle. And it took a full 6 seconds for Chris to reach the junction, which puts him at least 100m away at his speeds. I've definitely learned from these videos better ways to drive when emergency services are around, but I doubt many can be expected to anticipate this circumstance, looking for fast overtaking vehicles in what looks like a 30mph zone. And it was barely any holdup!

[@channelbree]

Good content sir, a small speedo would be cool to see.

[@howardlake6178]

Yes, that’s a Volvo surely. I should imagine it’s diesel for fuel cost reasons, but I would love to know more….😀

[@SebiSthlm]

6:30 That's a polite response to someone who clearly had good intentions. Slightly poor awareness stopping there though with oncoming traffic also stopping. Should have kept on rolling, especially seeing you got stuck behing them.

[@NaHrvatskimCestama]

Are you worried about animals jumping out? Have you ever had such an accident?

[@pn8902]

I wish for one day that I appear in front of Chris and get a green tick in the video

[@TravisBickle0312]

Used to live in Hitchin.

[@mrballskin]

would be a cool feature to see a speedometer

[@AaronTheHumanist]

Great work, but why are you issued an unmarked car? Surely it would be easier for you if you hard a typical marked vehicle?

[@paulyarlett1238]

It's great to see the gen public getting out of the way but some times there is no where to go to clear the path for emergency vehicles I have been in front of police before and tried to clear out of thier path and been given dirty looks by the police in the car only to catch them up down the road and find them stood chating and joking with about half a dozen police cars all containing two officers per car and wondering does a little shunt require so many police or do they have nothing better to do .

[@Alex_Eicher]

Everytime i watch this art of videos i could cry 😭 and pie my shorts….

[@bikevault2302]

well done to all UK drivers. I live in Thailand and it's not the same, to say the least.

[@jamieharris5947]

I wish these videos were like 2hrs a pop 😂

[@davidhumphreys4516]

Some very risky overtakes going on. Only takes 1 driver to keep going which is there right and your head on into an RTC which will be your fault.

[@bebeg604]

05:25 "using the space while i have it" what are you driving a bus? why the siren if no one is around you for about 30seconds or so!! space?.. There is no traffic or cars to weave in and out off yet you still can't stick to the left of the road! Seems to me having the lights and siren on you can do w.e the fck u like!

[@ChrisMartinEMS]

Hi, having the sirens on despite nothing in sight is just to because you don't know what is coming and the more warning the better for those we may be approaching. Using the space is just a tool for when driving at speed as it allows more room for error either side when at speed. We defiantly can't do whatever we like and are under strict guidelines and highly accountable for our actions.

[@bebeg604]

@@ChrisMartinEMS You turned of the siren at 05:00 ? While going well over the speed limit and turned it back on again when coming up towards the car. that driver no doubt was thinking you were stopping him/her? Also you don't check wing mirrors much even when squeezing between cars you more or less just look straight ahead. I'm not here to criticize you have done all he driving training etc.. just a little rant!

[@napoleonbonapart609]

Et tout ce cinéma pour à la fin couper la sirène et rouler doucement 🤣😭🤣

[@leftlxne]

in russia we cam only dream about this level of educate on a road

[@anto687]

Reckon you've got a few viewers in the traffic there TERRIFIED of being made an example of!! :D