to have thought he was an entitled wanker and ask what you do? (driving)

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

I was on a roundabout when a police car, siren and lights going, came along. The roundabout is wide enough for two cars side by side, but the exits are single-lane traffic with an arrow to tell you to move over from the right lane almost immediately. So, I pulled to the left side of the roundabout against the kerb and braked so the police car could get past without me being in the way. The bloke behind me honked and shook his head at me - I assume for braking or stopping on the roundabout?

It seemed like the practical thing to do but clearly he'd have kept going and expected the police car to move around him. I think he was a wanker, but what do you do in this situation? Would you always stop and pull in to the side or would you sometimes just keep going and try to get out of the way of a junction?

clue - he wasn't elderly. But I know the issue with sirens. It's to do with the frequency. I don't hear sirens when they are in a certain position relative to me - I don't have perfect hearing. I've been told it's one of the first things to 'go' when you're losing hearing.

I was worried maybe I overreact because I am always hyper-alert for sirens or lights because I know I don't always hear them as fast as other people.

stif - I hope you were ok! That sounds scary. Well, he didn't hit us so it is different ... he just obviously felt I'd done something wrong.

www.2pass.co.uk/emergencyvehicle.htm

The highway codes view on it

I wouldn't have thought hazard lights were a good idea until you had actually stopped. You need to signal your intention so other drivers, including those in the emergency vehicle, have some idea of what you are about to do. Hazard lights don't do that.

Thanks sirzy! I'll have a look.

freddos - but hazard lights are legit to use when you are moving, I think? I had a left indicator up and, obviously, brake lights, so there was no other way to show anything.

so the highway code is silent on the matter of what to do if you are in/on the actual roundabout?

I never stop immediatly for an emergency vehicle as it can cause them to have to take avoiding action into oncoming traffic and it gives them less reaction time.

In deed in some cases it can be better to accelerate and then indicate a lane change for example if I'm in the outside lane of a dual carriagway. Im sure the last thing the police or the paramedic working in the back of an ambulance want is some well intentioned but misguided driver slamming on the anchors and pulling over thinking they are doing well.

If it was two lanes why did you need to stop? Why not just pull into the other lane?

Many cars automatically apply hazards if you brake heavily.

novack - I will try to remember that. But that's not what I did in this situation anyway.

I see your point about accelerating and I'd do that too - I just wasn't sure of doing it here where I would have had to stop in the way of the police car and he would have had to pass on the wrong side of the road, after the roundabout. Whereas on the roundabout he could just keep driving through quickly without worrying about changing lanes or anything.

That was how I though about it at the time, and it might be wrong.

i drive an emergency vehicle and i expect drivers to pull in and stop - i was trained not to go around them unless they have seen me - if they keep going i simply have to assume they have not clocked me and i cant risk overtaking them, which delays my progress.

people do all sorts of odd things when they see blue lights - but you should stop if safe - even on a roundabout - i would expect traffic to stop for me on roundabouts so i can get through.

people panic and thats when the problems start - it should be on the driving test imo - people should simply pull in and stop - the most hazardous is when people just slow down but dont actually stop! thats a nightmare to negotiate.

i always change my siren from the long wail to the short one when approaching a junction or roundabout, or traffic lights, just so people may pick me up and be aware of me., then change it back.

always remember also that there may be 2 emergency vehicles - people often see the first then dont look for a second.

sirzy - I pulled into the other lane and stopped. The reason I stopped is that the road off the roundabout is single-lane, so if I had gone forwards, I would have been in his way.

novack - I clearly need a new car! My car doesn't apply hazard lights then but I did get taught to flash them when you brake hard on a motorway and I think that's good.

Here, before I braked I was doing maybe 20, 25 mph so maybe not fast enough to trigger that anyway.

vicar, I cross posted with you but thanks!

This is the sort of thing I was wondering about. I will take your tip about second cars, too, that makes a lot of sense.

ah so we ARE allowed to stop on roundabouts vicar?

I knew there was a police person about here somewhere! Always forget the NN

There we go then

LRD You were right and he was just a nobber :o

Indicators
You should consider using your indicators to show you?re pulling over for an emergency vehicle, but only when there?s no risk of causing confusion to other road users.

Junction
If you?re approaching a junction, and you see an emergency vehicle, remember the driver behind you may not have the same view, so don?t brake suddenly. If you?re already AT the junction, be patient and wait for the emergency vehicle to come past.

From bluelightaware.org.uk

yes, you can stop on roundabouts if its safe - i did my training in a busy town centre with loads and loads of roundabouts - everyone stopped or slowed to let me through, provided it is safe thats not a problem.

the driver of the emergency car just has to be very very alert, and go very cautiously into roundabouts, junctions or traffic lights for example.....i slow right down for any of those.

Bend
A bend is a non-straight section of road. Some bends on country roads are smooth and even, while others can be tight and ?blind?, meaning visibility around them is restricted or non-existent. The advice from the emergency services is not to stop on a bend if you are trying to allow a blue light vehicle through.

thank you vicar, that is very helpful

thats true novak - people just need to be aware of what other around them are doing also and stop when safe.

dont just slam on and stop, but do stop please! its so hard to get past a car thats doing 10 mph rather than stopped!
slow down, indicate, stop if its safe - dont stop on the brow of a hill or right next to a bollard for example - thats also a nightmare to get past!

You did the right thing, OP.

basically you should stop but only where its safe to do so -

do pull in an stop, but

dont stop on a bend or blind corner, dont stop on the brow of a hill, and purlease dont stop right next to a bollard or traffic island! (the number of people who do this drives me insane!)

use common sense.
stop - but stop where its safe to stop!

He was being an arse IMHO

In the case I mentioned further up the thread i could see the other drivers pulling into the side during the mirror signal manouver bit, all bar the car immediately behind.
Now maybe they didnt hear the siren but if you cant see a big vehicle with flashing blue lights coming down the road you shouldnt be overtaking let alone driving.
yeah the ambulance had to almost come to a halt because of the stupid driver overtaking me