Blood Bikes AGAIN!

[virginiajim]

When I was a volunteer fireman many years ago in VA, we could have flashing red lights and use them on the way to the firehouse.  Even with ambulances and police, flashing red and blue lights are essentially asking for the right of way through.  It wasn't a demand to make way.  Now many states have changed the laws so that flashing reds and blues mean to get out of the way and if you don't you can get a ticket if an officer is so inclined.  We've had too many policeman and emergency workers killed over here.

[moayling]

I would agree with that, plus blues and twos do not make you go any faster, they are for warning people of your approach and help you to keep moving rather than stop start driving.
My instructor told me that blues and twos do not alter the laws of physics, you do not corner quicker, go faster, stop quicker or even get through smaller gaps.

Wise words

[StickyOne]

In a previous life I was a police advanced driver (cars).
A blues and twos run was certainly a means of pumping the adrenaline, but you had to be on the ball and concentrating 200%.
It didn't give you a 'right of way' as many believe. It was merely a warning that an emergency vehicle was approaching and would like to progress as quickly as possible.
The majority of road users were extremely polite and sensible, but it made some others panic and they were the dangerous ones.
A police driver, doing his utmost to do his job, put his own driving licence on the line and just like the armed members of the police service, split second decisions if made wrongly could have catastrophic results.
On the theme of blues and twos on a motorcycle, I would hesitate to conclude on their benefit bearing in mind the unpredictable panicking driver.
But as has been said before, I take my hat off to all those in the emergency services and to those who volunteer unpaid to do the blood runs.
I give blood as often as is possible but I'm not sure I'd deliver it too!

[moayling]

  Good post Sir

[Mikey]

I've driven with blues and twos on a mountain rescue vehicle and it can be a nightmare. The control vehicle was a VW T 45? and really big, it's amazing how many people fail to see a few ton of white van covered in hi vis battenburgs with everything flashing and making a lot of noise.

I've just passed my blood bike riders assessment and our bikes are fully marked up without blue lights.

[GTRpilot]

I was Police advanced (Cars), on armed response. Sat behind a car in lane 3 M6 for 2.5 miles with all the bells and whistles going. When he did eventually see me he went lane 3 to the hard shoulder in one swerve.
Frightened the crap outta me 😊