Nee Naw

I love this job!!

Monday was the start of the blue light training! (not worked out yet how to post a big smiley face yet!!)

We had a whole morning of theory, generally discussing how the general public do all sorts of random and stupid things when they see a vehicle with blue lights flashing.

With very itchy feet, we finally left the training centre, with the instructor at the wheel for a demo drive. He took us right through the middle of Oxford, with sirens blaring and all the lights flashing and spotting the three types of morons we come across.

1. The Blind Overtake - this is where the vehicle in front has not seen you but the one in front of him has. The very observant member of the public in front, kindly moves out of the way and the moron (sorry no other way to describe them) behind decides as they seem to have slowed for no apparent reason (not noticing the large van with lights and sirens on behind him) to take the chance for an overtake!!

We saw a classic example of this on the A34, with long lines of traffic in both lanes, we position the vehicle straddling the two carriageways and run down the middle. All the vehicles on both sides move out of the way and there he is in the left lane, in the BMW! Everyone moving out of the way, onto the hard shoulder, onto the grass verge and this guy decides to overtake in the gap we create. What on earth do you think everyone is moving for?

2. The Sudden Braker - This person is randomly cruising the country lanes, listening to Classic FM on full volume. It takes them ages to see us, as they seem to think the mirrors are used only to admire themselves! but when they do, they do the one thing you do not expect to happen at 60mph..........they stamp on the brakes!! This is where being on the other side of the road is a major advantage.

3. Blind Summit Tag Team - This one beggars belief, a car approaching you, coming to a blind summit of a bridge, another vehicle in front, approaching the same blind summit. This is where the walkie talkies come out and they start co-ordinating their actions!! Where do they end up stopping. You guessed it, right next to each other on the crest of the humped bridge???????? Do they expect us to create this magical 3rd lane from nowhere with no visibility?

Meeting these people actually make the blue light training, fun, exciting and a huge privilege.

Will update how the rest of the week goes.