Met Police Special Escort Group video

[martine]

Whistles are used instead of sirens, primarily not to disturb the principal who could be sleeping/chatting/reading, etc, and wouldn't want to arrive at their destination with an earache!

(I've yet to watch the video though)

Ahh right.

[TheInsanity1234]

I do hope they use lights though, I wouldn't hear any whistles at all!

[WhoseGeneration]

I do hope they use lights though, I wouldn't hear any whistles at all!

Looking at the video it would appear they do use blue lights but I would expect that you would easily see them. Your having internalised the AD way by now. The whistles are used to deal with the muppets in a world of their own.
It's just about "now you see them, now you don't". In other words, just an advanced drive with a bit of help at junctions.
In my neck of the woods the Police have used the local IAM Motorcyclists to do similar, albeit at low speeds, to escort horse drawn funerals.

[christopherwk]

Whistles are used instead of sirens, primarily not to disturb the principal who could be sleeping/chatting/reading, etc, and wouldn't want to arrive at their destination with an earache!

(I've yet to watch the video though)

Ahh right.

Now that I've watched the video, which is why they mention they use cars with sirens when transporting prisoners, and drugs/weapons.

[Horse]

Whistles are used instead of sirens, primarily not to disturb the principal who could be sleeping/chatting/reading, etc, and wouldn't want to arrive at their destination with an earache!

(I've yet to watch the video though)

Ahh right.

Now that I've watched the video, which is why they mention they use cars with sirens when transporting prisoners, and drugs/weapons.

Ah, so any travel sick prisoners can't sleep?

[Tdcist]

They don't always get it right...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2752691/Harry-crash-drama-Prince-s-shock-motorobike-outrider-smashes-head-taxi.html

Fortunately the rider wasn't seriously injured.

Not wanting to promote an argument, but more playing devil's advocate here, there is a few comments on that article saying how the rider was solely in the wrong, however looking at the (albeit jerky) CCTV, it does seem like the taxi driver left it very late to pull out, and the car the motorcycle was overtaking would have almost hit it anyway!!

Again I don't want to start any arguments, just wondering if anyone else thought the same.

[martine]

They don't always get it right...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2752691/Harry-crash-drama-Prince-s-shock-motorobike-outrider-smashes-head-taxi.html

Fortunately the rider wasn't seriously injured.

Not wanting to promote an argument, but more playing devil's advocate here, there is a few comments on that article saying how the rider was solely in the wrong, however looking at the (albeit jerky) CCTV, it does seem like the taxi driver left it very late to pull out, and the car the motorcycle was overtaking would have almost hit it anyway!!

Again I don't want to start any arguments, just wondering if anyone else thought the same.

I suspect they were both blind to each other - hidden behind the oncoming vehicle...that's one of the reason why many 'normal' advanced drivers don't go off-side where there are junctions in the vicinity. I wouldn't like to apportion blame though as the video doesn't give a clear, real-time view.

[waremark]

I suspect they were both blind to each other - hidden behind the oncoming vehicle...that's one of the reason why many 'normal' advanced drivers don't go off-side where there are junctions in the vicinity. I wouldn't like to apportion blame though as the video doesn't give a clear, real-time view.

The policeman has an unbelievably difficult job to do. The original video illustrates the need to get from one junction after the escorted vehicle has passed to the next in time to clear the way. Perhaps it is surprising that there aren't more accidents.

However, no police purpose justifies dangerous driving and here he overtook across a junction without being able to see it was clear. The policeman has to carry a large share of blame.

[stv]

The French police bikers use whistles too, leaves both hands free to direct traffic.

http://youtu.be/k8cnyafQ5Gg

An interesting approach!

[Mr Cholmondeley-Warner]

I loved the sense of calm apparent in the convoy lead rider. An occasional hand signal to restrain a pedestrian or vehicle in a side turning, but otherwise, just calm quiet progress.

And JonT - stop being a dog in a manger. Every country has people who need protection and escort. Just be proud that we do a good job of it!

[Pontoneer]

The film does indeed demonstrate impressive driving/riding skills , in particular planning , planning , planning and how they routinely turn chaos into order to make smooth progress .

Two thoughts occurred to me .

One - the use of whistles : I presume they drive around with them in their mouths under their full face helmets ? Isn't this incredibly dangerous in the event of an RTC ? Might the whistle not get lodged in the throat ?

Two - the motto 'They stop for no one' . What about other emergency services , Fire or Ambulance , who might be on a life or death emergency call ? I'd hope they'd make way for them .

[Pontoneer]

I do hope they use lights though, I wouldn't hear any whistles at all!

I expect they will expect the unexpected . A number of years ago I had to attend an RTC involving one of our fire appliances and a private car ; the appliance had been en route to a job , blues & two's on , and went to overtake a car signalling right at a junction , city centre so no great speeds involved , convinced that the car driver MUST have seen/heard him the driver overtook , just as the car turned right across his path ! Alas , it was a bad one and the car driver was badly injured - she was profoundly deaf !

I took the time afterwards to look it up , and there have been a number of instances of deaf drivers in RTC's with emergency vehicles .

It can't be stressed enough that you can never presume you've been seen or heard , this applies just as much to civilians as emergency drivers .

I'm sure this is incorporated in the SEG training .

[Horse]

IIRC the whistles are on the end of a plastic pipe stuck on the side of the helmet. Try Google Images.

[Pontoneer]

IIRC the whistles are on the end of a plastic pipe stuck on the side of the helmet. Try Google Images.

Thanks , that makes sense , also would improve audibility .