Green lights save lives - seconds count!

Monday 25 November 2019

Drivers are being reminded to watch out for green flashing lights on the roads and give way to them, like with any other emergency service.

The lights are used by volunteers on their way to an emergency, such as the St Peter Port Lifeboat crew.

However, there have been recent complaints that drivers are not making way for the services, with some even pulling out in front of them.

"St Peter Port Lifeboat crew is comprised of 20 volunteers," a spokesperson said. "When an emergency occurs, the volunteer crew are paged. They respond immediately by activating the flashing green lights on their personal vehicles and driving to the lifeboat station as quickly and safely as possible.

"Seconds count in a rescue situation and time lost en-route from traffic can make all the difference."

Pictured: Spirit of Guernsey lifeboat (image courtesy of Tony Rive).

Although the green lights don't allow volunteers to bend the rules of the road, like blue light services do, drivers are still encouraged make way for them when it is safe to do so.

"Although green lights have been used for years locally, we still encounter challenges and we continue to see that our community is unsure what it means," added Lifeboat Operations Manager, Chris Harvey. "When you see a vehicle with the telltale flashing green light I urge you to please pull over and let out volunteers pass - seconds count!"

Pictured: Spirit of Guernsey lifeboat (image courtesy of Tony Rive).