Over to the Motorway - 999 run

[@MrAllister88]

As a mere member of the public, the pride that I carry for the rest of the day after a driver on a blue light run (be it police, ambulance, fire) gives me a wave of thanks is immeasurable.

[@clownfiesta8840]

We really do appreciate the awareness and attention for us on the road! Thank you so much.

[@MrAllister88]

@@clownfiesta8840 I know everyone thinks they are above average at driving, but I do try ;-)

[@a20axf]

@@MrAllister88 The best thing we can do is just keep a good look out and watch videos,like this to understand what not to do etc. I do love the cheeky wave too 👌🏻

[@sandraalivender3680]

Relax yourself

[@a20axf]

@Jac D indifferent 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@williamfence566]

The one dislike is from the van driver who dropped his phone when he thought he'd been holding up a Police car

[@arthur_p_dent]

9:30 Wow, that van driver's rear view mirrors are mostly for decoration it would seem.

[@dougiegraham662]

It's difficult to look in your mirrors and phone simultaneously 😂

[@rubenjanssen1672]

functional ones were optional extras

[@anto687]

They also immediately move back out into the overtaking lane, despite nothing to overtake

[@owster7447]

@@dougiegraham662 lol

[@owster7447]

@@anto687 yep, typical van driver

[@xulphr]

As an American watching this, I want to say that I absolutely love watching these response videos. I always admired responding vehicles in the UK, especially during my visit to London and Wales in 2016. I really hope I get to visit again and do some spotting and manage to get a ride to explore more of the country. Thanks for all the work you do! I'm glad I came across this channel.

[@isaacclarkson2833]

Noticed the van driver at 9:45 moved straight back out Into the outside lane after you pass. Shows the sort of driver 🤦‍♂️

[@DJTrainBrain]

Especially the fact that they stay there for as long as they are in view, all the while not overtaking a single vehicle.

[@Snakebloke]

Yup, what a pricklord.

[@douglasreid699]

@@DJTrainBrain the van driver must have special glasses on to see all the imaginary cars in his way lol

[@TheHonestJock]

Really useful, informative and educational for drivers on how to react well to EVs coming up behind them, would have liked the video to continue to show the rest of the journey through the motorway traffic but I'm just being greedy! The commentary works really well as well and adds that element of understanding to the decisions and the thought process that leads to them. Brilliant channel!

[@ryanm.191]

i feel that driving like this on your way to ur task must be very stressful, adding to an already very stressful situation. i admire your composure and how calm you are about the many many terrible drivers, such as that van

[@iamaparanoidandroid1]

One thing I think you have over a lot of Blue Light drivers is that you are very skilled in 'telling' normal road users what you want by asserting your position. The number of times you see blue light vehicles just waiting for people to decide what to do because their positioning is not assertive enough. Perhaps it comes from confidence in the vehicle: you have 'your' vehicle, whereas a regular copper might get a corsa one day and a vectra the next...

[@intxxl4670]

@@Kieran.Robertson keyword whereas

[@Deadmau5l]

Never watched something like this and it made me giggle hearing a emergency responder say "hit the apex". Hands down to you lot driving like that under pressure and accompanied with todays average road user's driving skill and awareness haha

[@petercarrington948]

Incredibly skilled driving, and a great help to us normal drivers on how to react to the approach of emergency service vehicles.

[@joshfoley4672]

Is there anybody else who finds these videos somewhat hypnotic and calming?! Almost asmr like?!

[@Jehty_]

I myself find these videos rather enraging than calming. There's always that one car who can't use the mirrors and my blood starts boiling 😁

[@danth6684]

Thanks for the commentary Chris! Your vocal observations can help all of us average road users understand what to do in the event of an EMS vehicle and also teach us all to be more observant and look further ahead on the roads. Thankyou!

[@kenlequack3202]

I do EMS in NJ, USA, and I am very surprised by how well everyone moves out of your way/shows respect on the road!

[@stuartw2756]

Love the commentary. It really adds to the understanding and the thought processes of how you make good, safe progress. Thank you.

[@GeorgeThoughts]

Love the commentary! So interesting. You just need to be saying "Left over crest, don't cut," for that rally co driver action hehe. For the vans, it's a shame you don't have a bullhorn? Do you consider just sounding the car's horn in those situations if sirens and lights aren't cutting it? Horn is for danger I guess so perhaps not the proper use for it, but I'd bet that drivers are so clued into the "trigger" of a horn behind them that even if they're not noticing sirens (somehow) a blast of horn would make them jump up and look around for the source

[@Gingerninja8294]

True about the horns but you'd think the loud sirens would be easily identifiable over a horn, I personally soon as I hear sirens when driving the music is muted and I'm looking around for the blue lights to see where its coming from and how I can get out of the way

[@JamboBandit]

horn is hooked into the sirens in most response vehicles, Means if he pressed he's horn he is just cycling into a different tone, would have to turn of 2 tones entirely for that. Most response vehicles have bull horn but not always ava from 2 handed steering wheel position. means you would have to single grip the wheel to use.

[@Stoobers]

Your videos should be compulsory viewing for all road users in the UK... keep up the amazing work Chris.

[@InclusiveDriving]

Around 2:14 and other similar scenarios when you exit a roundabout, do you prefer to be allowed to pass immediately even on a left curve, or is it easier for you if the vehicle in front takes the bend and stop on a straighter section?

[@yesemitesam333]

Thank you so much for these videos. It's really useful to get an insight into what you want other drivers to do to help you progress quickly and safely.

[@Badger-w8u]

I do not understand , why 7 people do not like this video ! Driving is a skill , done by all , improved by some . These videos are really educational , in many ways - thank's Chris .

[@mikeakamiky7245]

i like the commentary over lay gives insight to people of there duty on the road to actually how hard it is for the emergency services. (police, ambulance, fire.) enjoying the blue light runs keep up with the awesome work...

[@cloudmaker]

Just found. This is a fantastic education for ordinary drivers to see, to give an indication of how to help the progress of Emergency Service Vehicles, however one point I still can not agree with is the turning off of sirens when waiting in a queue at red traffic lights. I am aware of the argument of not wishing drivers to contravene the red light but think this is outweighed by the argument that drivers work on information and the sirens are part and parcel of the information needed. A really excellent channel Chris so had to subscribe. Thank you.

[@captkidd]

Thanks ever so much for your videos... They are very interesting and informative to watch.

[@jesse291]

7:09 from this point onwards, the white bmw just stood still, the perfect thing to do!

[@ChrisMartinEMS]

Agreed. No point joining to then just get out the way again.

[@Asdosie]

Awesome, loved the commentary alot!

[@ace09041982]

Hi Chris, As a member of the Services myself.. (although not C1 / EFAD trained ), and knowing the time and pressure commitments of a Dx01/02 response, I am sometimes dissapointed in the lack of acknowledgement of assistance from some services when responding bearing in mind I have been a commerial driver and do leave enough space for the size and type of vehicle... I would also like to say that I am trying to rewatch your videos as I am looking to apply for my ECA qualification which includes a C1 training and assessment and the information I am taking from your videos helps to show what relevent and irrelevent information needs to be given in an assessment. Thank you for taking the time to upload and voice over / narrate these videos.

[@markwgoldsmith]

Fascinating, thank you - roads I "know" really well, interesting to see the view from your perspective.

[@Anriandor]

Never clicked so quickly, gonna enjoy it already

[@Frankiedoodle1941]

always interesting to know the reason for the blues lights journey ie bloood delivery ect Many thanx great drive as always Ps keep up the great work

[@adz_b]

So useful, loving the commentary…thanks for sharing and doing what you do 👍🏥🚑🇬🇧

[@77funtomas]

9:30 what a schmuck in that silver van. Self proclaimed master of the fast lane. He came straight back into same position after being taken over instead of driving in a middle or left lane.

[@catchcarpcarter]

I find when you do the thank you bleep after passing it helps as it makes me know what I have done is correct and I can do the same next time to aid in emergency response speed !! Also another great video made even better by your commentary

[@wayno197711]

After this skilled blue light run he then has to go and save someone’s life! Brilliant individual and the many like him.

[@keithhaynes8079]

Many thanks again for the video Chris, take care and stay safe.

[@MrAllister88]

Really interesting video, I do love the A505 dual carriage way!

[@robertmac8287]

As a Driver this really is very useful information on what you are expecting from me in response to your positioning on the road, and how i can help you stay safe when your driving. Someone should show this to new drivers right after there tests, while there still at the stage of accepting information.

[@pauldesmond5340]

I have a blue light qual but nowhere near as experienced as you so thank you for all the advice and tips on here which I've used in both professional situations and as a civvy driver.

[@fredrickwelch5678]

3:33 I do that every morning. Love you videos and your driving!

[@dadmorgan5731]

just absolutely fascinating, love it.

[@whodar3swins]

I always like watching your videos, really gives me a good reflexion on someone else's driving

[@tonreitsma6517]

Super video! Like the comments you give and thanks for turning down the siren noise. Makes it much better to understand/follow!

[@User66ish]

Would love to see more heavy motorway driving and that of pushing through heavy traffic for incidents like RTC's.

[@dbracer]

The A505 from Hitchin to Luton is an interesting drive, at the end - up the hill and round the fairly tight left bend by the college. You're never going to be quite sure how far back the traffic is queuing...

[@koreainsincere]

Brilliant video, you are a credit to your profession.

[@ThePopz57]

Another great Video Chris, great driving at them speeds and love the commentary as well, as always Drive Safe, Stay Safe.

[@jamieharris5947]

Chris is there anychance you can talk us through some footage from a backlogged motorway run and how you would navigate it ?

[@namenamename390]

Oh God I've binge watched so many of your blue light runs that I'm starting to recognize the streets you drive on, and I don't even live in the UK

[@tmurphy7846]

I’d love to see a compilation video of cars which maybe got in your way a bit and what they could have done to make your journey better or would have helped you more

[@paul8161]

Another really good video,, how you can make all those decisions and process all that changing information as you travel on a blue light run is amazing , obviously years of training and doing the job it becomes second nature to you,, very impressive decision making and driving.👍👍

[@marccartledge2752]

Love the Octavia vRS it’s an absolute beast of a vehicle and perfect for this kind of role

[@mrrhody7234]

4:55 is Australia when this happens (red light on a 2 lane highway) all the cars will just pull off left and right in a diagional pattern allowing them to get thru in other 5 seconds, it's pretty majestically to watch happen

[@nero5379_]

As a non driver yet! Your videos give me a big insight into how to deal with emergency services and your driving technique

[@aaff186]

There was this channel called ambuchannel from Netherlands couple years back that had to go down because of privacy issues.. Glad to see another similar content now that provides entertainment and education

[@jasonh9518]

This channel is awesome.

[@ChrisMartinEMS]

I appreciate that!

[@CGCampbellJr]

That was an awesome video with excellent defensive AND offensive driving discussions, well done video, well done drive!

[@Jessebella1]

Good lesson for all drivers really other than the 1000 others in these cool videos is that there is no assumptions made. No assuming this car will do that or that car will do this etc. We can all learn from that for normal everyday driving. False assumption causes many crashes.

[@paulharris4524]

cheers for that rear view cam pointer at the start as thought it was another car going fast in reverse :-)

[@steffenfrost995]

Nice clear commentary and smoothly driven :)

[@epictetus9766]

Long on blue light run, especially as after 11 minutes you were still not there. Great driving as always. Very impressive.

[@David_Trowbridge]

Its nice to hear your appreciation when people do a good job moving out the way. I like to think I do a good job sometimes but I never know for sure haha

[@lewissimpson7745]

love the idea that at 3:45 you slipped out of responder and entered track day hero mode “just gonna clip the apex to maximise speed through here”

[@David-oj8gk]

Very informative video as usual, really appreciate the running commentary of your thought process and actions. Big thank you to all Blue light run drivers. Apologies if you have done this already can you do a video explaining the different tones and uses for them?

[@balkantaxi8705]

You are a very good driver and doin a good job there . Stay safe

[@ryabex]

I love your videos makes me want to take 1 last ride, I was a eca in newcastle but had a really shit job and ended up having a massive breakdown my only wish is to go back and do it again best job I ever had.

[@madlysk1129]

Can you talk about the structure and the inside workings of the ambulance service such as different divisions such as HART and different ranks etc

[@cameronleehorace]

Very interesting drive, great observations and spacial awareness. Unobservant drivers like the van on the motorway must be quite tedious. I am constantly checking my mirrors and it is a pet peeve of mine when I am a passenger when I can clearly see no or limited mirror checks so I prefer to drive myself. I think utilising the view for larger vehicles to see you in the mirror is a good point, I am not a responder but I tend to use positioning also in general driving on dual carriageways and you also get to benefit of a better view ahead so you are not relying on the other drivers observations.

[@bjcliving386]

this is gonna sound bad, and I love your videos, but I love hearing the sound of that skoda and the siren :) Love reading your commentary also as it adds to it so well. :)

[@hubertkick1817]

Good Job! Thanks for this Video...

[@mul555]

Fantastic driving ability. I love the bit at the beginning where you cant talk quickly enough to explain everything your thinking but I think we all understood.

[@BenM14-ZW11]

Great video Chris, loving this running commentary. Would it be possible to have one with countryside roads, things like blind bends, narrow roads, solid white lines etc? Its one area i cant seem to work out what is best practice, and think it would be useful to know what to do. Cheers

[@sygo]

These commentary videos are very interesting, so much for you to consider in such a short amount of time

[@shaunt7175]

After recently passing LGV theory I must say a video such as this at the end would be invaluable as it shows ALOT how we (public) can position better.

[@Kieran.Robertson]

The commentary was amazing 👌🏼

[@esh1]

Quick question; do you have to turn the noise on in between 23:00 and 06:00??? Not great for vulnerable public such as newborns, mothers, elderly, etc...

[@paulrattray8121]

Just beautiful

[@nightw4tchman]

I can't imagine having to deal with driving like this and then, when you arrive on a scene, having to deal with a medical, fire or police issue. Truly amazing stuff by all blue light drivers.

[@purpleom9649]

A job that not only has the respect of every citizen but when you arrive you become a real life hero, IMHO I don't think it should be the rich and powerful who have the titles I think it should be people who save lives daily...............thank you

[@jeffthesquid]

Answer me this... Sat at a red light. You come up behind. Do we move and break the red light or sit and wait?

[@qtluna7917]

The straddling the white line is something that, while not really according to the law, is also good to do at night on 1+1 roads, if there is virtually no traffic and you can see far ahead, just to have a bit more distance to the treeline to spot animals earlier.

[@NathansTransportCommuntiy]

This is great example of how many good driver there are in the world as well as bad drivers

[@Paws4thot]

~9:30. It was like the van driver suddenly woke up. I'd have been embarrassed to have been in lane 3 as long before deflecting with someone coming up behind bringing the noise!

[@radiogreenduck]

The driver of the Ryan Hughes Carpets van, in their inept driving observation, doesn't exactly cover themselves with glory...

[@baronvonlimbourgh1716]

I always go out of my way to make sure to signal i have seen the emergency vehicle as well and that i am moving out of the way. Either by braking and using the turn signal or if there is a situation where you simply can not move over by using hazzard lights for a moment to show i know you are there and i am doing my best to get out of your way asap. In the netherlands we have a lot roads where lanes are seperated and you can only stay in your lane. Communication is really important to give these drivers the ability to do their jobs in safety.

[@sharpmango60120]

nice

[@izzieb]

What's your opinion on "smart motorways" and the use of the hard shoulder as a regular lane? Do you think it causes any hindrance to emergency vehicles like yourself?

[@Mrgnothing1]

If you come up behind a slower emergency vehicle on blue lights such as a fire engine or ambulance, do you overtake as you're faster or do you just sit behind and follow them to the scene?

[@thefiestaguy8831]

I've been in a car responding to numerous calls (I'm police) and overtaken ambulances also on a blue light run, typically they won't be doing more than 40-50MPH, whereas we tend to get up to the 70-80MPH mark frequently. Happens quite often and the ambulance crews are usually very well switched on and move over to let you past. I went to a serious RTC once, whereby a car in front of us in lane 3 refused to move out of the way, despite changing siren tones, blaring the horn, flashing headlights at them, and then getting into both of their wing mirrors, at this point a paramedic in a VW came flying up behind us as we were held up significantly by said motorist refusing to move, eventually my colleague driving decided he had no choice but to undertake said motorist in lane 2, the paramedic behind did likewise and sat behind us arriving at the scene approximately 300 metres further up the road. The road in question is a strange one, it's a triple carriageway road which then merges into 1 lane further up on the outskirts of a town in South London.

[@ChrisMartinEMS]

Thanks all and as @thefiestaguy says its just a case of who is fasted. Wouldn't sit behind another one and follow just in case we were going to different jobs but we are normally very good at getting out of each others way.

[@thefiestaguy8831]

@@ChrisMartinEMS Indeed. Blue on blue are very common, plenty of overtakes and i've often ended up crossing the path of an ambulance. I recall once being in the station van en-route to a prisoner pickup and had to drive off side, an ambulance came racing towards us, although it was initially hidden from view behind a bus further up. We slowed right down and moved over, with a nice cheery wave to the crew as we both blue lighted it to our respective jobs.

[@M31AFW]

I am generally in the faster vehicle and other services are always spot on at letting you past. If I’m not on a call and I see another emergency vehicle approaching behind in traffic at roundabouts or junctions, I sometimes will assist getting the other vehicle through by lighting up, getting through myself and then I can use my vehicle to block the junction to allow them to progress with a bit more ease!

[@SilentCougar]

I've watched a good few of your videos, and found each one interesting and informational in regards to how 'WE' should drive when we see blue lights behind or coming towards our front. Do we have clearance to move out of the way, is it safe to do so, does the driver in front see you coming behind me 'flashes headlights' just incase. Every small detail gained from watching has returned quit a few waves or acknowledgemt flashes when space was given to pass safely. Keep up the great work Chris, you do a sterling job.

[@alexsmith7354]

Not sure why but I love the sound of the car

[@PBMS123]

4:42 that Honda is a bloody numpty. Sees the car in front full lock and move to the right, but doesn't think, gee I wonder why, and look and see blue lights, instead, goes around them and gets in the way even more. Holy crap.

[@kylerosier1382]

What speeds do you find you drive at ? I’ve always wondered if there’s a limit services can go with blues on and what is considered “responsible speed” ?

[@_Ali.]

Noticed you’ve recently taken off the speedo on the vids. Is this for any reason Chris? I think most people actually appreciate seeing the speed you do just purely because it’s interesting to see how you handle and manage traffic, speed and idiots all at the same time.

[@ChrisMartinEMS]

The speedo issue is just one of getting the tech right. The GoPro i use, if I start it recording too quick, the GPS fails to connect and the other source is from my Garmin which I don't always remember to turn on. Will work on it for next time. Thanks.

[@Crazyblox]

Edit: Just properly read the above response, my suggestion may not be appropriate if you have already found a solution. Love your videos btw. @@ChrisMartinEMS if it's an option it may be easier to place a small gopro-like device infront of your speedo as to not blur your own vision on the dash; assuming your display is digital based on the guess you have a Skoda Octavia VRS Plug-in Hybrid. It's a technique many car journalists use to capture footage of the dashboard, and syncing the videos together would be much easier in a snap.

[@TheCeredigionMotorcyclist]

@@ChrisMartinEMS hi Chris. Love your video as a deliveroo driver your videos have given me some training on how to deal with emergency services especially ambulances. Like leaving gaps for all junctions if stuck in traffic. Speeding up to safely make sure an emergency vehicle gets better access to overtaking. The siren noise turning off on a double white markings section of road means to continue at speed limit if safe until you get out of the restriction or find a place to pull in

[@canoooodle]

pls can we get a counter for the number of times deflect/deflection is said in these videos

[@ciaranbracey4731]

As a panel van driver, it is very easy to not notice a blue light vehicle behind you, especially on the motorway with wind noise etc. I used to judge them so hard for not moving, until becoming one.

[@AnthonyHiggins84]

kool vids can i ask is there a max speed what you are allowed to go thanks

[@copper2150]

What type/manufacture siren control are you using?

[@Mrgnothing1]

Are there many road laws you still have to follow even when on blue lights?

[@anoldfogeysfun]

His main one is always his speed allowance, Ellis. He basically is not allowed to go more than 20mph over the set speed limit, at a push - (that is his allowance to get past other traffic) - which is the same for any other emergency service vehicles barring the police - if thay are after a speeder - then they can do that. On road laws, on blues with siren if on, they are also allowed to overtake (use) on hatchings and single unboken lines (non-overtaking lines) if the passing would be deemed safe to do so . . . I hope that helps ?

[@findthebadger418]

@@anoldfogeysfun the speed allowance isn’t the law though. To answer the question - yes. You still have to follow all laws. There are 3 main exemptions allowed to all emergency vehicles. These are, 1 - Treat a Red Traffic light as a give way (meaning other vehicles still have a ‘right of way’ if their light is green!) 2 - keep left or right of a left or right sign. 3 - speed. We have an exemption to speed limit. There is no upper cap in law. HOWEVER, many services be it Police, Fire and Ambulance have internal policies such as the +20 rule. But not ever service has these and it differs area to area. Those are the 3 exemptions written in law. Interestingly enough - blue lights and sirens do not have to be used to claim exemptions (which is a common misconception)

[@nicklouse]

Adding to great comments from@@findthebadger418 ... Every time a driver uses the exemption then it has to be justified, i.e. I can go the wrong side of bollard but do I need to or could I ease off and cut in then go back out. Same for red light, do I risk going through or hold back and wait for them to change, how fast is the traffic going across on green? Is it slow on a roundabout or am I crossing a national speed limit dual carriageway? Speed - how fast do I think is safe to go, taking into consideration road surface, weather, traffic, parked cars, pedestrians etc etc. For instance doing 50 in a 30 down a busy high street on a Saturday afternoon full of pedestrians and parked cars is probably a bad idea, but doing 120 on an empty motorway at midnight could be ok. Driving on blues can be a positive experience, but also mentally exhausting. Chris' commentary on this even slow time after the event can't ever describe all the thoughts and options considered whilst driving. He does a good job getting the highlights out though!!

[@OurPastSecrets]

Seems like you went a long way, were you the closest available?

[@RAYY0925]

Chris how can I be a EMS responder like you?

[@abdulgoney6544]

Wow, thats some serious driving skills

[@vitorossi7839]

9:30 - why not just go through left-side lane? would've been faster. Is there "only go on the right" approach in the UK?

[@face1960]

These videos should be played to learner drivers so they get an indication of what to do in an emergency vehicle situation.