Green Warning Lights Dr. Russell Young Registrar in Emergency Medicine Fremantle Hospital, Western Australia

Consultant recall to the hospital; A survey of the use of Green Warning Lights and “How to Drive to Arrive” Collaborative study; performed in York Hospital, UK with Mr. David Pring, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and written up with the help of : Dr. H. Feaster (SHO Paediatrics at York Hospital) Dr. T. Tang (SpR Obstetrics and Gynaecology at York Hospital).

Introduction Green warning lights are used by hospital specialists to aid travel back to their hospital in an emergency Statutory provision for their use in UK

Green Light Regulations Green Light Users are not exempted from obeying local speed limits or allowed to use red traffic signals as give way signs. There is no requirement for advanced driving skills unlike emergency vehicle drivers

Method 16 point questionnaire sent to Emergency Physicians Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Paediatricians 7 point questionnaire sent to chief of police of every regional area in UK

Results

Police Survey 17 responses were received from various regional police forces before ACPO responded. Some police forces would mitigate their actions if a green light was being used and may overlook speeding or traffic signal infringements.

Consultants Stopped by Police

Driving Habits of Consultants Traffic HabitPossessing GWL and using it Owning GWL but not using Not owning a GWL Speeding in Excess 23%43%47% Crossing Red Traffic Lights 43% (p<0.01 when comparing speeding to crossing lights) 80% (p<0.01 when comparing speeding to crossing lights) 46% (p=NS)

Summary There is a significant section of consultants who own green lights and use them on a regular basis 5% of all consultants who have rushed back to the hospital have been involved in crashes 13% of consultants have been stopped by the police – and 2% prosecuted There is significant disregard for traffic law Green Lights seem to stop police intervention and when displayed on the car, make users more likely to obey speed limit; with a likely protective effect for both doctors and the general public.