Driver ambulance alerts to improve road safety

An ambulance service says it is the first in Europe to fit digital alerting to its emergency vehicles so that road users can be warned of their presence.

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (Secamb) is testing the system which enables real-time alerting between emergency and other vehicles with the aim of improving road safety.

Alerts are delivered to drivers through navigation apps potentially in advance of them seeing or hearing blue lights and sirens.

A Secamb spokesperson said it was hoped the alerts will "enable ambulances to progress more smoothly through traffic, potentially reducing operational response times".

The organisation said the system was "expected to reduce the cost and time associated with repairing damaged vehicles".

Rob Martin, Secamb fleet services manager, said: "The alerts, in addition to traditional lights and sirens, will mean motorists able to use the system will be aware of our presence sooner.

"This extra time not only creates a safer experience for motorists but also our operational crews and patients across the South East."

Secamb said it would be turning on the alerts on its vehicles from Monday.

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