ORIGINAL ARTICLE

An audit of compliance with motor traffic regulations and use of green warning lights by consultants recalled to hospital to attend emergencies

D W Pring¹, R A Young², H Feaster³, T Tang⁴

¹ Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, York Hospital, York, UK
² Fremantle Hospital, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia
³ York Hospital, York, UK
⁴ Yorkshire Deanery, Yorkshire, UK

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
D W Pring
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, York Hospital, York YO31 8HE, UK;david.pring{at}york.nhs.uk

Objectives: To determine consultants’ compliance with motor traffic regulations on recall to hospital to attend emergencies, and ownership and use of green warning lights (GWLs). To determine the views of senior police officers on consultants complying with traffic regulations on emergency recall with and without GWLs.

Method: Questionnaire survey of all consultants in obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics and emergency medicine in the Yorkshire Deanery, UK, and members of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).

Results: 220 consultant questionnaires were distributed and 166 replies were received; 21% of respondents owned a GWL. Almost 50% of consultants would consider exceeding speed limits when returning to an emergency. Between 43% and 80% consultants would cross red traffic lights; driving habits varied with usage and ownership of a GWL. 12.7% (21) of respondents had been stopped for traffic violations attending emergencies, 2.4% (4) had been prosecuted and 4.8% (8) had been involved in accidents. The ACPO advised that consultants should observe all traffic regulations at all times.

Conclusion: Consultants recalled to their hospitals for emergencies disregard speed restrictions and traffic light signals both with and without GWLs and risk both accident and prosecution for ignoring traffic legislation. They should consider using a GWL to ease their progress through traffic when attending an emergency and observe all traffic laws.

Abbreviations: ACPO, Association of Chief Police Officers; BWL&S, blue warning lights and use sirens; GWL, green warning light; WL&S, warning lights and sirens

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

eLetters:

Read all eLetters

Respect for the law

T E Mallinson

EMJ Online, 7 Apr 2007 [Full text]