Blood bike courier had no idea he was using blue lights and siren illegally when he died
A volunteer blood bike courier who died after hitting a car whilst going through a red light didn't know he was using the blue lights and a siren fitted to his bike illegally.
The Jaguar driver, a 65 year old man from Morecambe, suffered minor injuries and was also taken to hospital. During the inquest, the coroner James Newman wrote to the Transport Secretary asking for 'clarification' as to 'what constitutes an emergency' and whether current legislation allowing couriers exemptions from traffic laws requires modification.
"He was riding a BMW red and yellow liveried blood bike R1200, equipped with blue flashing lights and sirens. At around 19:45, he was riding his bike along the A6 Caton Road, Lancaster, using the fitted sirens and lights. "There is no definition of what constitutes an emergency and in the cases of courier services no apparent auditable or coordinated determination of what is classified as an emergency in these cases.
Mr Newman concluded that clarification was necessary as to whether couriers transporting blood around the country constituted an emergency, allowing them to use their blue lights and sirens. "The current position of my Department is opposed to extending exemptions to road traffic laws, and the proliferation of sirens and reserved colour warning lights, unless both necessary to and justified by the primary use of any relevant vehicle. It is recognised that emergency response driving is a perishable skill; it sits best with those using that skill on a frequent basis and with sound training, governance and oversight.
Mr Shapps said: "Legislation provides for vehicles being used for specific purposes to have qualified exemptions from the requirement to obey speed limits, and certain traffic signs, including red traffic lights, where to observe them would hinder that purpose. "Their claim to the right to fit blue lights has not been tested in court and in the absence of a judgement I consider it an incorrect interpretation of the regulations.
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