10.4 Emergency Vehicles, Buses and Public Service Vehicles
Key Takeaways
When an ambulance, police vehicle, Defence Force, Department of Emergency Management, Fire Service or Prison Service unit approaches sounding a bell or siren or flashing a lamp, draw up close to the left and stop (reg. 32).
At night, also dim your headlights, and remain stationary until the emergency vehicle has passed; two vehicles must not stop abreast.
Only motor omnibuses may use a lane marked for omnibuses, and only omnibuses and minibuses may draw up in a bus lay-by (regs. 31A and 31(10)(a)).
Public service vehicle drivers must not use the horn to call passengers and must pick up and set down close to the left or in a lay-by (reg. 41).
Registration letters identify public service vehicles: Z taxi, ZM maxi-taxi, ZR route taxi, H hired car, HL limousine, B minibus, BM omnibus and BT tour coach.
Emergency and public service vehicles have special roles, and the law gives them special treatment. Knowing how to respond to them is basic exam material.
Emergency vehicles (reg. 32, as replaced in 2017)
The Road Traffic (Amendment) Regulations, 2017 widened the rule to cover every emergency service. On the approach of:
- an ambulance;
- a police vehicle;
- a unit of the Barbados Defence Force;
- a unit of the Department of Emergency Management;
- a unit of the Fire Service; or
- a unit of the Prison Service,
that is sounding a bell or siren, or flashing a lamp, every other driver of a motor vehicle must:
- draw up as close as possible to the left side of the road and stop;
- at night, dim the headlights; and
- remain stationary until it has passed.
Regulation 32(2) adds that two vehicles must not halt abreast of each other, because that would block the road. Choose a spot where the emergency vehicle can get past. Do not stop on a bend or a crest, or across a junction.
Fire Service, police and ambulance vehicles are exempt from the speed limits (s.84 and reg. 87) and from the rule against leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position (s.89) when the urgency of the situation requires it (s.120 and reg. 87(3)). Drivers of all the listed emergency vehicles may use phones and radios on duty when required (reg. 148C).
Emergency vehicles at junctions and signals
An emergency vehicle may approach from any direction, including through a red light or along the wrong side of the road. When you hear a siren:
- Look and listen to work out where it is coming from before you move.
- Do not panic or brake sharply. Signal, check your mirrors and pull in to the left where it is safe.
- Do not cross a stop line against a red light to make room, unless a police officer directs you. Move only as far as you safely and lawfully can.
- Do not follow closely behind an emergency vehicle to get through traffic.
- Expect more than one. Wait for a moment after the first vehicle has passed before you pull out again.
Police signals to stop
A Barbados test question describes a police vehicle approaching from behind with its blue beacon flashing, while the officer points to the left. The correct response is to pull in to the left and stop. You must stop when a uniformed officer asks you to (reg. 31(18)), and failing to comply with a lawful police direction carries 4 demerit points.
Bus stops, lay-bys and bus lanes
- Bus lanes. No driver of a vehicle other than a motor omnibus may drive in a lane signed or marked for omnibuses only (reg. 31A).
- Lay-bys. Do not draw up in a bus lay-by unless driving an omnibus or minibus (reg. 31(10)(a)).
- Stops. Do not stop within 10 metres of a bus stop (reg. 31(9)(a)), and do not wait within 10 metres of, or opposite, an omnibus or minibus stopping place (reg. 96).
- Buses pulling out. When a bus signals to pull away from a stop, give way if you safely can, and watch for pedestrians who have just left it.
Rules for public service vehicle drivers (regs. 41, 42 and 42A)
The driver of a public service vehicle:
- must not use the horn to call passengers (reg. 41(a)), and must not make other noises to attract them (reg. 42);
- must not talk to the conductor or anyone else while moving unless it is necessary for safety (reg. 41(b));
- when picking up or setting down, must stop as close as possible to the left side of the road or, for an omnibus or minibus, in a bus lay-by (reg. 41(c));
- must not stay stationary longer than reasonably necessary, except at a terminal or authorised parking place (reg. 41(d)); and
- must not play music in a motor omnibus or minibus (reg. 42A).
Public service vehicle licences need age 25 (s.69, as amended in 2022). PSV and articulated-vehicle drivers are subject to random alcohol and drug testing (s.69A). "Carrying excess passengers," "going off route" and "soliciting passengers" carry demerit points (Sixth Schedule).
Recognising public service vehicles
Part II of the Fourth Schedule to the Act sets registration letters by use:
| Letters | Vehicle |
|---|---|
| Z | Taxi |
| ZM | Maxi-taxi |
| ZR | Route taxi |
| H | Self-driven or hired car |
| HL | Limousine |
| B | Minibus |
| BM | Motor omnibus |
| BT | Tour coach |
Expect public service vehicles to stop often and pull out frequently. Give them space, do not overtake them at bus stops where passengers may step out, and watch for passengers crossing.
An ambulance with its siren sounding approaches from behind. What does regulation 32 require you to do?
Move to the right so it can pass on your left
Draw up close to the left and stop until it passes
Stop at once, wherever you are, even in the middle of the road
Speed up to stay ahead of it
Which vehicles may use a lane marked for omnibuses only?
Any vehicle outside rush hours
Any public service vehicle
Motor omnibuses
Taxis carrying passengers
What kind of public service vehicle carries registration plates beginning with ZR?
A route taxi
A taxi
A tour coach
A hired car
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.