New ambulance speed rules follow court case

Ambulance drivers nationwide will travel a maximum of 30 km/h over posted speed limits on their way to emergencies under new guidelines.

The New Zealand Ambulance Board operations committee made the changes after an Auckland ambulance officer appeared in court.

Brendan McInnes was found guilty of aggravated careless use of a motor vehicle causing death after he hit 85-year-old Marjorie McGill in St Heliers as he sped to an emergency call. He will be sentenced on March 20.

A St John Ambulance spokeswoman said there were about six ambulance services nationwide and each previously had its own guidelines. The changes were to help standardise them.

St John's northern regional ambulance operations director, Peter Tranter, said the changes were:

The maximum speed limit to be 30km/h above the posted limit, although staff must observe the posted speed where temporary limits are in place.

Staff to be reminded of the requirement to drive with care and attention, and to adjust their speed for the conditions and hazards.

The board also decided to make sirens mandatory in populated areas when travelling above the speed limit on priority one calls, except between 11 pm and 7 am, when their use would discretionary.

At all intersections, including those controlled by give way or stop signs or traffic lights, drivers would have to slow and be prepared to stop. If the way was clear, they would continue through the intersection at no more than 20 km/h.

- NZPA