The Transport Operation Act 1995 classes excessive speed as 40kph above the regulated speed limit. Does this mean that emergency vehicles are not allowed, whilst travelling to an emergency (lights & siren) to travel above the 40kph limit? An example: An ambulance is dispatched to a serious single vehicle road traffic accident with multiple patients with serious injuries. The accident is approx 60 km away, along a State highway with the registered speed limit of 100kph. The ambulance was recorded by the communication tracking system at travelling at 155 kph. Road conditions are dry, perfect visibility, straight road, very light traffic. Is the driver of the vehicle at fault, or is the excess speed classification come into effect if there is an incident whilst driving?
Many thanks.
LawConnect (LawTap) Verified
What is the reason for the query? Someone's life may be in immediate danger and need urgent medical assistance. The driver may need to use his judgement as to what represents the most danger, travelling fast or arriving too slowly to save someone life.
Check out the Queensland road rules, probably something in there. I don't give out legal advice online. I only offer information and personal opinion online, and the only advice I give is to see a lawyer. I am someone with recent legal knowledge and decades of life experience looking at assisting people where I can. For advice, book an appointment at Hutchinson Legal - Ringwood, VIC Law Firm.
LawConnect (LawTap) Verified
I am a lawyer in NSW, not Queensland, so factor that in
when deciding how much notice to take of this post. That said, allow me to offer the following suggestions:
Transport Operations (Road Use Management—Road Rules) Regulation 2009 (Qld).
contrary to procedure/ doctrine/whatever, then looking into it can be fair enough. DISCLAIMER: Material posted in this forum represents my personal opinion(s) only. Material posted in this forum does not contain authorities, is hypothetical and general in nature, and, even if the language of a post suggests otherwise, does not apply to your specific case. My posts are mere suggestions, and are not an alternative to fully considered legal advice. Remember - it's a really bad idea to make big decisions based on what some guy says on the internet.
O.P. Coming home from work today there was an ambulance on the freeway flashing its lights with the siren going. It was approaching from behind on the fast line, vehicles giving way along but it wasn't going as fast as I thought it would, though at a constant speed a little over 100km/h, despite a straight clear lane. Do emergency vehicles actually have a speed limit? How fast are they allowed to go?
CenTiSoN writes... Do emergency vehicles actually have a speed limit? Nope..Saw a Falcadore police car fly past me on Parramatta road the other week..Doing at least 20kph over the 60kph limit. CenTiSoN writes... How fast are they allowed to go? Apparently the drivers are 'highly skilled' so they know how to choose a safe speed...
migoreng writes... Apparently the drivers are 'highly skilled' so they know how to choose a safe speed... Emergency vehicle drivers are a lot better trained than the average chump that turns up on Whirlpool and criticises other people's driving habits....
CenTiSoN writes... Coming home from work today it wasn't going as fast as I thought it would Peek hour, or just fairly heavy traffic? They won't go fast if it's not safe to do so.
Michael James writes... They won't go fast if it's not safe to do so. They also consider the overall best outcome for the patient. This may mean exceeding the speed limit or this may mean driving more smoothly within the speed limit.
In W.A. Wapol has speed restrictions in place for all of its officers. Maximum limit is 140Kph. Cant comment on SJA or Fesa limits. I assume most of not all services have speed restrictions otherwise they would be open to attack if a crash was to happen at 'high speeds'. Ty
CenTiSoN writes... Do emergency vehicles actually have a speed limit? How fast are they allowed to go? more than likely paitient on board and that was the best speed to still administer care in transit and for the welfare of the patiant
tyjc writes... In W.A. Wapol has speed restrictions in place for all of its officers. Maximum limit is 140Kph. Cant comment on SJA or Fesa limits. I assume most of not all services have speed restrictions otherwise they would be open to attack if a crash was to happen at 'high speeds'. Wow I thought it would be higher than that, especially out on those desert highways. I'm thinking back to the UK where I'm from, you wouldn't be able to keep up with half the motorway traffic at that speed.
It's an odd policy to have, in suburban areas it makes sense, but on the open highway and freeways where the limit can be up to 110Kph it seems quite low. There were calls to change the policy to have the limit depended on the independent roads speed. In regards to the ambulance on the highway I would think it would have something to do with the patients condition? If there are people in the back actively working on a patient then they wouldn't want to be going too quick.
140kmh does seem excessively slow for a rural highway. That's just normal driving! What are the UK police usually allowed, isn't it 130mph? Or is it non-limited?
migoreng writes... Apparently the drivers are 'highly skilled' so they know how to choose a safe speed... Haha yeh right. Seen one fly past my house on the weekend. Road is 60 and he was doing a minimum of 120-140
ganga21 writes... Haha yeh right. Seen one fly past my house on the weekend. Road is 60 and he was doing a minimum of 120-140 See third post down from top.
I have a mate in Vic who recently became a copper – according to him they have to do a driving course to be certified to go up to 130km/h. There is then a second course before you can be certified to go up to 150km/h...
With patient on board never much faster than the speed limit, smooth ride > saving 30 secs. Without patients on board then "safe and expedient" applies, so for risk management there's not much point going too far over the speed limit as it mostly boils down to – if you crash it wasn't safe or expedient. So on a freeway/highway you shouldn't see them going much more than 30kmh over the speed limit. All ambos would have been through driver training and realize the physics of stopping distances, impact energy etc. One of the foundations of pre-hospital care is to not become a casualty yourself.
kaishang writes... 40kmh does seem excessively slow for a rural highway. That's just normal driving! If they need to get to a far out place then surely an ambulance isn't the best option? Helicopter? I can't remember what the speed limits for emergency vehicles is in SA, but it's not incredibly fast – shouldn't need to be either really. If you start going faster than 140/150 then there is less chance for the driver to react or other people on the road to react to them. I've always wondered how many speeding fines and red light cameras the emergency vehicles must rack up though. I know they obviously don't have to pay them, but it'd be interesting to see how often emergency vehicles get flashed at lights.
I know in SA firies/ambos is around 25km/h above posted limit. Police are different. Country ambos will sit upto 150 on the open rd (if it is safe to do so) It really comes down the the drivers judgement. I had an intensive care single responder come up behind me one day at about double the speed limit (60 zone) I know in that instance it was for a very serious trauma
kaishang writes... 140kmh does seem excessively slow for a rural highway. That's just normal driving! This Now *flame suit on* Years back on one of my 1st long distance drives on WA's rural roads to Kalgoorlie I pretty much sat around 130-140km/h the whole way (slowing down near towns) in a crap Corolla. Didn't seem all that fast. & my dad always said back in the days he use to sit around that speed all the time when making long distance trips.
Mayuri Krab writes... Years back on one of my 1st long distance drives on WA's rural roads to Kalgoorlie I pretty much sat around 130-140km/h the whole way Can you check to see if you aren't dead?
kaishang writes... Emergency vehicle drivers are a lot better trained than the average chump that turns up on Whirlpool and criticises other people's driving habits.... IIRC NSW Ambulance Paramedics do not get offered any Driving Courses by the NSW Ambulance Service.
CenTiSoN writes... Do emergency vehicles actually have a speed limit? How fast are they allowed to go? No speed limit in Vic. As long as it is 'safe and expedient to do so' they can do whatever they want.
I also believe that NSW Ambulance Officers can access the driving skills courses offered by the NSW Police at Goulburn.
kaishang writes... What are the UK police usually allowed, isn't it 130mph? Or is it non-limited? I don't know. I have seen police camera shows where they have exceeded that limit so maybe it's left up to the cop driving to use his/her judgement.
I know for a fact that in vic and nsw there is no limit for emergency services provided they do so safely, as already posted that means if they dont have an accident then they are driving safely.Fire vehicles would be lucky to get up to 100kph anyway except on the hwy, I remember back in the late 90's the old urban pumper was lucky to get over 20kph going up the gwh past penrith, cars and bikes could pass us easily. Amobs are a bit better but the centre of grav makes the ride a bit hairy if going too fast and taking turns, its up to the driver how fast they go anyway
Ambulances in WA also do not have a maximum speed limit, but travelling at speeds >40km/h in excess of the posted speed limit is considered unsafe and generally not required especially when transporting a patient. There are very few times that excessive speed will make a difference to the patient's outcome anyway, and it is almost impossible to carry out any definitive patient care (especially CPR) in the back of an ambulance travelling at 180km/h! The ambulance you saw was probably transporting an urgent case to hospital which was not immediately life threatening, and safe transport in this case was more important than exceeding the speed limit.
tyjc writes... In W.A. Wapol has speed restrictions in place for all of its officers. Maximum limit is 140Kph. I call bs. Many years ago returning from the Territory I was doing 140 (odd) on the W.A. highway, passed some cops and they turned around and caught up with me (pretty quickly), how would this be possible with a 140kph cap? I assume most of not all services have speed restrictions otherwise they would be open to attack if a crash was to happen at 'high speeds'. Crashes often happen with emergency services and sometimes they do get attacked for these incidents.
Yes emergencey vehicles have speed limits. They are only allowed to go a certain number of kms above the speed limit! Im a Ambo and Ive been booked for speeding in the ambulance(with a patient on board) and by the way we have to pay the fine and lose the points of our license. Sucks bigtime!!!
RalliArt001 writes... I know in SA firies/ambos is around 25km/h above posted limit. Police are different Not quite.In SA (under Emergency Services Act / Regs for the CFS at least) the allowance is 20kph over speed limit if non ABS vehicle and 40kph over speed limit if ABS equipped. This is for vehicles which are recorded as Emergency Services vehicles (trucks, cars etc) only and with lights and sirens on.There is still the requirement to obey all other traffic devices. ie you cant blow through a red light without coming to a stop or near stop. If cars dont want to give way, you must yield. Theres also the attached risk that any accident you have while driving over the limit at priority one will basically be all on you.As a P1 driver for more than ten years in trucks and cars, I can tell you I've rarely been over 10kph over the posted limit.The trucks dont do more than 110 max or so on country roads, the urban roads arent made for speeds over 70-80 in a truck and the time gains are not made with speed, they are gained (massively) on people getting out of your way and (lesser so) from not having to stop for most intersections. There is also the obligation to get the crew to the job without killing them, so usually speeding isnt considered in a truck.
deemebee writes... Yes emergencey vehicles have speed limits. Im a Ambo and Ive been booked for speeding in the ambulance Which state? And you obviously were not going lights and sirens so you were rightly booked.
cfa trucks can do 20kms over the posted sign or a max of 110kms. I would assume it would be something similar for ambos
hoxygt writes... I call bs The previous poster got it partly correct. The current WA Police pursuit policy has a speed cap of 140km/h unless permission is granted to exceed this speed. Many years ago returning from the Territory I was doing 140 (odd) on the W.A. highway, passed some cops and they turned around and caught up with me (pretty quickly), how would this be possible with a 140kph cap? The current limit was put in place in about June 2010 – may well have been higher or unrestricted when you were caught perhaps.
NSW Legislation: Road Rules 2008 305 Exemption for drivers of police vehicles (1) A provision of these Rules does not apply to the driver of a police vehicle if: (a) in the circumstances: (i) the driver is taking reasonable care, and (ii) it is reasonable that the provision should not apply, and (b) if the vehicle is a motor vehicle that is moving-the vehicle is displaying a blue or red flashing light or sounding an alarm. Note: "Motor vehicle" and "police vehicle" are defined in the Dictionary. (2) Subrule (1) (b) does not apply to the driver if, in the circumstances, it is reasonable: (a) not to display the light or sound the alarm, or (b) for the vehicle not to be fitted or equipped with a blue or red flashing light or an alarm. OTHER EMERGENCY SERVICE VEHICLES: 306 Exemption for drivers of emergency vehicles A provision of these Rules does not apply to the driver of an emergency vehicle if: (a) in the circumstances: (i) the driver is taking reasonable care, and (ii) it is reasonable that the rule should not apply, and (b) if the vehicle is a motor vehicle that is moving-the vehicle is displaying a blue or red flashing light or sounding an alarm. Note: "Emergency vehicle" and "motor vehicle" are defined in the Dictionary. So in NSW, emergency service vehicles can break any road rule, as long as they are taking reasonable care and its reasonable that the rule should not apply.
FreddyByTheSea writes... No speed limit in Vic. As long as it is 'safe and expedient to do so' they can do whatever they want. I suspected this may be the case. Got overtaken by a cop car on the way to a fatal. I was doing 100. 1km on he would have been about 1km ahead. It was well into the range of questionable safety as buy the time you heard the siren they were overtaking in about another ¼ of a second. As they overtook the car in front an on coming car had to pull off to make room.
antmenj writes... I was doing 100. 1km on he would have been about 1km ahead If those distances are about right, that would put his speed at approx 160
FreddyByTheSea writes... No speed limit in Vic. As long as it is 'safe and expedient to do so'although many modern vehicles will be limited by in built speed limiters. New trucks and ambulances are at the mercy of the vehicle builders and are not easy to tinker with except if you are Lennons transport. Used to be in a road accident rescue org and we had a Chev C30 350 auto. The motor was rebuilt with high compression heads off a Bathhurst 327 Monaro. It would do 160kph on the South Eastern freeway going to a job. Those days seem to be over.
Rightly booked hey!! well you MUST know what your talking about !Patient was having heart attack , started to accelerate , got a red light camera 2 nano seconds before i got to switch on lights and sirens. Fought it with the police ,fought it with the union, got told bad luck. BUT as you were there you would know!!
"Lot better trained " – in what ?
FreddyByTheSea writes... Which state? And you obviously were not going lights and sirens so you were rightly booked. Amazing that you must know everything about emergencey services !
Yudson writes... "Lot better trained " – in what ? Refer back to the third post down in this thread. Better trained that the average chump here on Whirlpool that thinks they are the world's best driver and they know everything.
kaishang writes... Emergency vehicle drivers are a lot better trained than the average chump that turns up on Whirlpool and criticises other people's driving habits.... Actually guys alot of the younger emergencey services drivers are still on P plates on their own cars but can drive emergencey vehicles at speed.
deemebee writes... Rightly booked hey!! well you MUST know what your talking about ! So you accelerated through an intersection, over the speed limit without your lights and sirens on? You don't sound much like an ambo. Most I know are fairly resilient ppl that wouldn't be so defensive when somebody points out your mistake.
deemebee writes... Actually guys alot of the younger emergencey services drivers are still on P plates on their own cars but can drive emergencey vehicles at speed. This is worrying.
Im sorry do you have trouble reading things! I did not say I was going through a intersection! It was on a back road with no other cars on it! I do suppose I get defensive when people criticise what I do, when trying to help others
deemebee writes... Im sorry do you have trouble reading things! I did not say I was going through a intersection! It was on a back road with no other cars on it! No I read fine. You said you got booked by a red light camera and where I live (planet earth), red light cameras are generally placed at intersections. So I can only assume there was a red camera on a pedestrian crossing? On a back road? I call BS. Can you put a link up from google maps with a link to this red light camera that is on a back road that is not at an intersection? If I'm wrong then I apologise but my money is on you NOT even being an Ambo.
deemebee writes... Im sorry do you have trouble reading things! I did not say I was going through a intersection! So the red light camera was at a traffic crossing with lights then? Odd, never seen one of those.
FreddyByTheSea writes... I'm wrong then I apologise but my money is on you not even being an Ambo. You know your right Ive just been scamming Qld ambulance by turning up for work for 15 years!
Nope set up at the side of the road! At least the cop waved to me! lol
deemebee writes... Nope set up at the side of the road! At least the cop waved to me! lol Are you trying to say speed camera, rather than red light camera perhaps?
deemebee writes... Nope set up at the side of the road! At least the cop waved to me! lol Red light camera set up on the side of the road? You seem to be changing your story with each post. In my world if you can attach a call number to a fine then it gets taken care of. I think you are just making things up for the hell of it.
ReapMan writes... re you trying to say speed camera, rather than red light camera perhaps? Yep! sorry!
Yep made a mistake speed camera(still flashes red) .Your world must be a scary and angry place.As Im fairly new to these forums please tell me are personnel attacks to people common! Or have I just totally p**ed you off for some reason?
OK, makes more sense, you were getting a bit excited. Go back and read some of your responses again, you got very defensive when I suggested you were in the wrong when I thought you had got done through an intersection. If it happened the way you said then why wouldn't you fight it in court? You would have the call history and relevant information regarding the patient care. I think you would have got off.
deemebee writes... still flashes red Think you mean white, hope you don't read the labels on my medications if you ever pick me up :P As Im fairly new to these forums please tell me are personnel attacks to people common! If you have an issue with a post, herring it via the link on the right hand side and let the moderation team deal with it, not going to get any better (on either side) if we start labelling questions as personal attacks.
deemebee writes... As Im fairly new to these forums please tell me are personnel attacks to people common! I don't think I attacked you personally, I simple made observations regarding your story not stacking up.
deemebee writes... Fought it with the police ,fought it with the union, got told bad luck. Interesting, because if you break the road law to give way to a emergency vehicle, the penalty is not applied.
ReapMan writes... Think you mean white, hope you don't read the labels on my medications if you ever pick me up :P Nope it flashed red ,eye sight is really good!
Definently felt like it, suppose you just never came out and said liar.
deemebee writes... Nope it flashed red ,eye sight is really good! Ahhh you're Qld, you folk have wierd things up there :P Seriously, your speed cameras flash red? How bizarre, all of the NSW ones are white (not that I'd know....)
ReapMan writes... Seriously, your speed cameras flash red? How bizarre, all of the NSW ones are white (not that I'd know....) Thought it was darn kids with a laser thingy, till the cop waved. lol
FreddyByTheSea writes... So you accelerated through an intersection, over the speed limit without your lights and sirens on? Presumably after observing said intersection and noting that there were no vehicles in the intersection or travelling at speed towards the intersection, as per his training. You don't sound much like an ambo. OTOH you sound like an armchair expert. deemebee writes... Actually guys alot of the younger emergencey services drivers are still on P plates on their own cars but can drive emergencey vehicles at speed. Perhaps so, but I expect they are still trained to a standard higher than a normal licence holder. I'm sure there are a number of army tank drivers out there who need P-plates when driving an ordinary car on their non-army licence on public roads. I'm waiting to hear someone on WP say that they would make a better tank driver than an army tank driver, because the tank driver may be on P-places in the civilian world where Whirlpoolers aren't. Infact I know of cases where young private pilots have got a lift to the airport because they are licenced to fly solo, but not to drive solo. I guess from the standard of brilliance on WP that Whirlpoolers can fly as well, provided they aren't on P-plates. (I'm not picking on your P-plate comment deemebee, just the idea by some people that training above basic driving licence requirements has no value).
kaishang writes... (I'm not picking on your P-plate comment deemebee, just the idea by some people that training above basic driving licence requirements has no value). Nope totally agree with you! They are fully trained in their driving skills and when they get more confidence (which comes with experience and age) these skills are gong to kick in even more. |
What is the fastest speed of an ambulance?
Pos Terkait
Copyright © 2024 ketiadaan Inc.
