Driving with blue lights

Sterling Archer

Does a Garda requesting MR or similar fall under (b)

Or does a controller count?

Even if that direction isn't directly from the Garda to the driver

mr cowen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117806392#Comment_117806392

even if a member of a voluntary service is esds trained it doesn't mean they can use blue lights or are EXEMPT from the road traffic act. only the 3 organisations ive outlined earleir are free to drive without garda escort under blue light and audible devices and are exempt from prosecution under the road traffic act in all but 4 circumstances, that means coast guard and mountain rescue aren't permitted to use this exemption

iceage

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117806392#Comment_117806392

I can only speak for the Fire service. Pre ESDS there was a driving standard called EFAD(Emergency fire appliance driving) This was specific to the fire service and in a nutshell was due to the need to drive a vehicle weighing approx 12 ton at speed, with a crew from A to B and arrive safely. I can't speak for the other services but I do know that new Civil Defence vehicles delivered now other than ambulances do not have light bars for this very reason.

GoProGaming

Oh i'm well aware, I just wanted to know where iceage's level was. Was he ok with non esds drivers in the frontline services driving on blues with no formal training or old outdated training?

iceage

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117809923#Comment_117809923

It's a non plus to me and as I mentioned previously I can only speak for my own service, I am ESDS trained to level 3. The RSA implemented the ESDS level 3 to supercede EFAD and provide a recognised level of response driving for all of the blue light services. Each frontline service now either has or should have ESDS or an equivalent to offer to their drivers(HSE I'm led to believe have their own gig but is equal to and as competent as ESDS, I could stand to be corrected on this though)

Personally would I drive a response vehicle under lights and sirens without ESDS? No I wouldn't because if something goes tits up as the driver its my licence on the line and most probably some form of prosecution.

mr cowen

just bare in mind its not the individual that's covered by the exemption of the road traffic act its the organisation, so even if a member of an organisation that isnt covered/exempted by the act that person who chooses to drive still is open to prosecution even if they have an esds course done, I know firemen in dublin who are involved in vol. organisations and are very experienced esds drivers but would not be cover in their roll driving in their voluntary capacity.

so to the original poster.... the driver behavior you witnessed is highly irresponsible by #1 the driver and #2 the organisation who allowed it to happen. but of course nothing will be done or come to light until some poor unfortunate looses their life at the hands of an inexperienced person or an irresponsible organisation that willfully allows this driving to continue. Or until some traffic superintendent decides to take them to task and highlights it.

Dohvolle

Man who had blue lights fitted to his car was caught pretending to be a garda when he pulled over real gardaí - Independent.ie

They are out there.

searescue

Just to clarify, there is no differentiation between a HSE/DFB ambulance and a Red Cross/Civil Defence/SJAI or OMAC ambulance in the statute. I am both a HSE paramedic and a volunteer in the Civil Defence. The same law and exemptions apply. I know Civil Defence and the Order of Malta have internal ESDS instructors now and rollout of training has begun. I'm sure the same applies with IRC & SJAI.

As for mountain rescue, they have their job to do and are a great help.

Some of the best service providers are volunteers. A volunteer should never be assumed to be an amateur 😊