GP's driving with green strobes....

[Halski]

I saw something today that I haven't seen a while - what was (I imagine) a GP driving his Golf GTi with a green strobe lighting bar on the roof - I can't remember what the rules are for this - I think that they can't speed and the lights are only there to facilitate their way through traffic - but I also don't think that most MOP know what green strobes mean - can someone fill in the blanks?

[XDC]

I believe green stobes can only be used in an emergency and with a doctor on board. There is no exemption from speed limits as with emergency services. There's no authority which issues approval for them, so if you're a medicine man you just go ahead and fit 'em - you just have to comply with the conditions of use.

http://www.ukemergency.co.uk/information/bluelightuse.htm

[snowman]

My dad had one, but never used it in anger. In 30 odd years of general practice he only had 2 or 3 times where he had to get to a patient in a real hurry. If it's that much of an emergency the paramedics would be going instead anyway, except perhaps in rural areas.

[AquilaEagle]

I wonder if Dr. Halski could have them? :D

[AquilaEagle]

Just looked at that website.

Can these guys exceed the speed limit?

[img[http://www.ukemergency.co.uk/information/lifecyclecutout.jpg[/img[

[AquilaEagle]

woops wrong code - DAMN why can't we edit our own posts ffs? :(

[Hoon Devil]

Just looked at that website.

Can these guys exceed the speed limit?

http://www.ukemergency.co.uk/information/lifecyclecutout.jpg

Sorted...

[Hoon Devil]

and if they have full blues & twos, then yes, they can have exemption from certain aspects of highway law. :D

[Meridian]

My dad had one, but never used it in anger. In 30 odd years of general practice he only had 2 or 3 times where he had to get to a patient in a real hurry. If it's that much of an emergency the paramedics would be going instead anyway, except perhaps in rural areas.

The MAGPAS docs around here use green lights.


M

[snowman]

I was thinking of ye olde GPS before they got out of hours set ups going to avoid getting out of bed at night :D

The out of hours doc services often seem to have these green lights, but I've never seen one used. I guess if it's a real emergency you dial 999 rather than your doctor. Paramedics are so well trained these days (unlike when my dad started out as a doctor) that they are arguably better equipped to deal with trauma at first response than your average family doctor my dad reckons sometimes - a GP might not have been near an A&E unit for years perhaps (?)

[Masked Marauder]

Don't go forgetting that doctors can attend medical emergencies like crashes too. Also a surgeon at one medical facility may need to get to another in quick time to perform specialist surgery.

[The Enforcer]

Check this out...

http://www.ukemergency.co.uk/4/dsc06472.jpg

[wazza]

Drs are permitted to have green lights.....BUT NO Nee Nah Woo Woos

[AquilaEagle]

what would the feds do if there was a Dr with green lights making good (fast) progress over the limit, but safely? nick em?