GEM Motoring Assist, a leading advocate for road safety and breakdown assistance, has introduced three new educational videos under its Blue Light Aware initiative. These resources aim to educate drivers and road users on crucial protocols during emergencies.
One of the newly launched videos focuses on guiding individuals through the process of making a 999 emergency call from the roadside. James Luckhurst, a road safety adviser at GEM, emphasizes the importance of providing accurate information promptly to emergency operators. “During a road incident, knowing the precise details to relay—such as the location, number of vehicles involved, and status of any casualties—is critical in expediting the arrival of help,” he explains. “Your actions could potentially save lives.”
Another video in the series offers advice on interacting safely with emergency motorcycles, vital for their rapid response capabilities in congested or challenging traffic situations. Sgt Dave Bottomley of the Metropolitan Police underscores the motorcycles’ agility in reaching casualties swiftly. “When encountering an approaching emergency motorcycle,” he advises, “drivers should prepare to slow down and facilitate its passage without endangering themselves or violating traffic laws.”
The third video addresses safety precautions for horse riders encountering emergency vehicles on the road. Produced in collaboration with the British Horse Society, the video stresses the importance of visibility and awareness. Alan Hiscox, Safety Director at the British Horse Society, highlights the protocols emergency drivers follow upon encountering horses, noting the challenges in maneuvering through winding lanes while ensuring safety for all road users.
These informative videos are part of GEM’s broader Blue Light Aware initiative, designed to enhance public awareness and cooperation with emergency service vehicles on the roads. They draw upon guidance from the Highway Code, ensuring that drivers understand their roles in assisting emergency crews during ‘blue light’ journeys.
For more information and to view these educational resources, visit the Blue Light Aware section on GEM Motoring Assist’s website.
