to critise good volunteer for dangerous driving?

[dufflefluffle]

This is an ongoing issue (in my head only) about our local RNLI. On several occasions their driving to call-outs has been dangerous. I have seen one overtaking at speed on a corner of a narrow country road (full of pedestrians); recently saw one turn onto a one-way street drive along for a bit before turning into the wrong lane of the next street, over a pedestrian crossing and then speed off. I have the impression that if they did knock over a pedestrian they would keep on going because they are in such a rush. I think that those who volunteer for the RNLI are heroes but it is my understanding that even ambulances must abide by the rules of the road in an emergency. DH thinks I should shut up and put up but I am so tempted to say something to them.......

...and of course the title should read criticise - sorry!

Do you mean criticise (as their manager? as a member of the public - how will you stop them to mention it?!) or report, to their manager?

I'd call the leader of the team and discuss your concerns nicely, you seem well-intentioned, so I can't see the problem in raising it. Better you than that they change their ways only after an accident.

What do you do when you see a blue light ambulance/police/fire engine? Do you complain? People might be dying.

And forgive me for a slightly thick question - I assume the RNLI have marked cars? otherwise you wouldn't know they were RNLI?

If so I assume traffic regulations are waived same as for police/fire/ambulance in emergency call outs

Report it.

The laws apply equally to them.

No Holly, they are like you in your car - ie no flashing lights, they are volunteers so, say a plumber busy on a job gets a call, drops everything and hops into his car and hightails it to the RNLI station. The only reason I know they are RNLI (apart from the direction they are driving) is the wildness of how they are driving.
Yes, I fully appreciate that it is an emergency - several of my family members are fishermen so I really appreciate the RNLI but not at the cost of people being knocked down by someone responding to a call out. And as I said, as far as I know emergency vehicles have to adhere to the same traffic regulations as the rest of us.

indeed they do. They are risking not only other people's lives, but not getting to the rescue at all.
report it.

You must know who they are, individually, or you surely couldn't claim that every instance of crazy driving in your locality is a volunteer?

Anyway, have you called their office? You can easily explain your concern in a calm, non-accusatory way. Just say you've seen these things happen, are aware that the people are their volunteers and are concerned. You could ask the person you speak to to clarify the rules for you and let you know what to do if you witness another incident.

Lived by the seaside as a teenager. They used to do that there too. Locals knew the crazy driving, horn blasting nutters were the lifeboat crew on a job after hearing the flare, but the holiday makers didn't, pretty dangerous IMO.

Police and ambulance drivers undertake additional driver training to allow them to drive the way they do, and they have to justify any driving which is not standard ie speeding, red lights etc. the police wrote this stuff down in their pocket books.

I'd be concerned and would raise this - I know they do a great job, but they really ought to have additional training, some kind of identifiable marking on vehicles and also community consultation.

Dangerous driving is simply that. Unnaceptable.

I say this as the daughter of a trawler skipper (and former RNLI crew member)!

Blue light trained drivers would be liable for dangerous driving as well.