Rescue drivers seek points exemption

Firefighters and ambulance crews are seeking exemption from penalty points while returning to their base after responding to emergency calls. They claim that being forced to comply with speed limits and other road traffic measures is putting lives at risk.

Failing an exemption, SIPTU, which represents ambulance and fire brigade drivers, is urging the Government to introduce the dual licence system currently used by military drivers.

Military drivers have a civilian licence and a military licence which they use when working. Any points incurred during the course of their work have no impact on their civilian drivers licence and insurance premiums.

Currently fire brigade and ambulance drivers are exempt from normal road rules when responding to an emergency but not when returning to base.

Mr Tony McDonnell, SIPTU convener for Dublin Fire Brigade, said drivers feared their insurance premiums on their private vehicles would rise if they incurred points while on duty.

"We have a situation where a garda might feel he is duty bound to penalise our drivers and then if the case went to court, judges might feel they have the same obligation . . . at the end of the day all the insurance company will see is that a driver has points and is a risk."

Dublin Fire Brigade provides 95 per cent of the ambulance services in Dublin city and county. It provides all accident and emergency cover.

Mr McDonnell said because most areas of the city were covered by just one emergency ambulance, it was vital that drivers got back to base as quickly as they could to respond to other calls.

The drivers should also be permitted to perform other actions which were banned by road traffic laws, such as driving up one- way streets in the wrong direction and overtaking lines of traffic, Mr McDonnell said.

Mr McDonnell said drivers should also be able to use a radio. Mr Matt Merrigan of SIPTU's national ambulance committee said a "common sense approach" was being taken by gardaí, but clear legislation needed to be introduced to protect drivers.

The matter has been raised with Dublin City Council which is taking legal advice.

Firefighters and ambulance drivers are to hold talks with officials from the Departments of the Environment and Justice.