Introduction
The future introduction of Section 19 of the Road Safety Act (2006) will replace section 87 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act (1984). Both pieces of legislation relate to exemptions from speed limits for certain vehicle purposes i.e. Fire, Police or Ambulance.
The changes will have two major effects. Firstly it will potentially allow certain other vehicle purposes to be included in speed limit exemption regulations. Secondly it will prescribe a high speed training course that drivers must undertake (or be in the process of taking) before they are permitted to exceed speed limits.
The change in legislation will make it an offence to exceed speed limits for fire, ambulance, police or SOCA purposes unless a vehicle’s driver “has satisfactorily completed a course of training in the driving of vehicles at high speed”.
Who is it for?
Any organisation that has authority to use :-
- the relevant legal exemptions
- for the purposes of driving under emergency response conditions
- vehicles fitted with emergency warning devices
What does it cover?
Our Emergency Response Driver Training Courses are designed in line with the UK High Speed Driver Training Codes of Practice. (HSDT).The codes of practice prescribe a demonstration of competence in the following key training elements:-
- HSDT1 demonstrate basic driving skills
- HSDT2 prepare and drive vehicles at high speed
- HSDT2b drive vehicles at high speed
- HSDT3 drive vehicles at high speed on motorways and multi-lane carriageways
- HSDT4 undertake an emergency response using a vehicle
- HSDT5 avoid skids when using an emergency vehicle
- Attitudes and behaviours
- Knowledge & Understanding
- Avoidance and correction of skids
On successful completion of your course, you will receive a detailed evidence portfolio and certification to prove the required five elements have been met. This evidence will serve to demonstrate that a prescribed course has been satisfactorily been completed when Sec 19 is enacted.
How is the training carried out?
The training will be carried out in the client’s own vehicles.
The training can be carried out from any suitable venue which meets the requirements of the Sec 19 Codes of practice.
An initial course will be a minimum of 5 days duration.
A refresher course will be a minimum of 1 day per candidate per year.
All courses will be run on a maximum 2:1 student / trainer ratio.
The courses will be a mixture of theory and practice and pre-course study will be required.
Each candidate will be independently assessed.
Who conducts the training?
All of the training instructors and assessors are accredited.
All of the trainers and assessors are ex-police advanced driver and rider training instructors.
All of the trainers are currently delivering emergency response driver training courses. In addition, they can provide evidence of currency in the delivery of Emergency Response High Speed Driver Training in line with the Sec 19 Codes of Practice.