Advice from Dorset official on emergency vehicle reactions

BCP Council’s Transforming Travel team asked Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Service group manager Stuart Gillion to give residents “the definitive answer” on how to clear a path for emergency services – a subject it says “has been much discussed recently”.

This comes after several residents, and even a firefighter, said new cycle lanes on Whitelegg Way prevented emergency vehicles from travelling down the road at speed – with some vehicles getting stuck on the raised kerb in a bid to make way.

• Read more: Cars mount kerb as fire engine gets 'stuck' in Whitelegg Way

The suggestion that the cycle paths are too high has been rubbished by the council, who said it is “not necessary” for drivers to mount the cycleway as it adheres to national standards.

Cars mount kerbs and travel down cycle path as fire engine gets 'stuck' in Whitelegg Way

Offering reassurance to residents and motorists, Mr Gillon said: “We all, as road users, regularly encounter emergency service vehicles responding to an incident, so it is important to know how to react in that situation. Our advice in this event is don’t panic.

“If you hear or see blue lights, stay calm. Look for somewhere safe to move left and stop. Keep moving if you are on an approach to a bend or on the brow of a hill – pull over and stop when there’s a better view ahead. Stay out of bus lanes and keep off kerbs and pavements, and don’t stop near traffic islands.

• Read more: Driver gets stuck on new Whitelegg Way cycle lane

“Be on the lookout for multiple vehicles heading in the same direction.”

He also advised drivers to not pass through a red traffic light if it is part of an attempt to make way for an emergency vehicle.

Advice on how react to emergency vehicles. Picture: Transforming Travel

On motorways and dual carriageways, meanwhile, he advised drivers move to the left to allow an emergency vehicle to pass in the outside lane if clear.

In slow and stationary traffic, emergency vehicles may use the motorway hard shoulder. If there’s no hard shoulder, make way for emergency vehicles by creating an ‘emergency corridor’ where vehicles in adjoining lanes move to opposite sides of their lanes to create a gap.

• Read more: Council and travel group defend Whitelegg Way cycle lanes

He concluded: “I hope you found this advice useful. Remember, if you see or hear an emergency vehicle approaching, be it on a motorway, town centre road, or countryside lane – stay calm, assess your surroundings and think about your safety and the safety of others by avoiding mounting the kerb and pavement.”