Life-saving vehicles to be allowed to break speed limits

LIFE-saving vehicles such as those used by organ transplant, Coastguard, mountain rescue and bomb disposal teams would be permitted to break speed limits like the emergency services, including in Scotland, under plans announced today by the UK Government.

• New laws will not exempt the drivers from offences of dangerous and careless driving

• Lifeboat, mine rescue and radiation emergency materials also included in the changes

However, the Department for Transport stressed that such drivers would have to complete high-speed driving training, which police, ambulance and fire service drivers already have to undertake to be allowed to break limits when responding to emergency calls.

Lifeboat, mine rescue and radiation emergency vehicles could also be included in the change.

UK road safety minister Stephen Hammond said: “Police, fire and ambulance service drivers are highly trained individuals who are at times required to exceed the speed limit in order to save lives. It is only right that we look at allowing other services whose duties can mean the difference between life and death to exceed the speed limit when responding to emergencies.

“It is also time to look at the legal requirements of emergency vehicle training so we can build on the rigorous standards the police, fire and ambulance services have already applied through their code of practice.”

Such drivers would not be exempt from the offences of dangerous and careless driving, like emergency service drivers.