Most new ambulance operators have had their regular driver’s license for years. However, operating an ambulance requires a very different set of skills from driving your average passenger vehicle. During monthly Train-the-Trainers video conferences with EMS and ambulance operator trainers, we’ve noticed several consistent challenges for new operators. These difficulties are common, but they can improve with better training. When new ambulance operators are aware of potential issues and prepared to handle them, the roads are safer for everyone.
Ambulances carry significantly more weight than passenger vehicles due to their equipment and personnel load. The construction of the ambulance itself is also heavier than that of a passenger vehicle. This total increased mass means longer stopping distances are necessary for safe transit. If the vehicle in front of an ambulance is smaller, it will be able to stop more suddenly and may also have increased visibility for hazards ahead. Depending on the style of brakes in your ambulance, ie: air brakes vs hydraulic brakes, brake lag distance must also be taken into consideration. Air brakes can have a slower response, so drivers sometimes experience a lag when using them. Hydraulic brakes can stop more quickly than air brakes, but have a lower level of stopping power. Often, the higher level of stopping power from air brakes is necessary for ambulance operation, so drivers must adjust to their potential lag. Ambulance operators must adhere to greater following distances with their new equipment to avoid a crash.
New operators often struggle with judging the length, width, and height of an ambulance. Since many new operators are used to the size of an average car, incidents are common during this adjustment period. Common incidents include curb strikes, side-swipes, and low-clearance impacts. Low clearance impacts are particularly common. Healthcare facilities, nursing homes, and fast food drive throughs all commonly have low-hanging structures that can cause issues when ambulances are trying to pass through. While a regular car might squeeze through a crowded parking lot or past a construction zone, emergency medical services struggle to make it through.
Maneuvering in these spaces in a large vehicle, especially under stress, can be difficult for new operators. Operator point of view footage can help trainees judge the size of the ambulance without risk of impact. Trainees can also use other exercises like crash photo analysis to begin the adjustment process before they hit the road. With the right training program, operators can smoothly navigate tight environments.
One of the first things new passenger vehicle drivers learn is how to check their blind spots. However, many ambulances lack a traditional rear-view mirror, requiring operators to rely solely on their side mirrors. Depth perception and mirror distortion are among the most common causes of collisions when backing. Although many modern ambulances provide a backup camera, it’s important to not be completely reliant on them as not all ambulances will provide them. Personnel should be able to navigate their ambulance regardless of the presence of a backup camera. EMS personnel should expect an adjustment period to using side mirrors regardless of a backup camera.
Ambulances need more space to turn, especially in tight urban or residential environments. When navigating these crowded environments, some teams opt for smaller ambulance types for their maneuverability. Ambulances also need to be more strategic about their lane choice due to their wide turning radius. If there is more than one left turn lane, ambulances should choose the rightmost left turn lane. This allows the operator to take a wider turn and keeps other turning vehicles on the driver’s side, where they are more visible. Regardless of the ambulance type, the turning radius must remain within OEM specifications.
Positioning an ambulance can be a big adjustment, given the tight spaces and complex situations operators can be up against. Maintaining proper lane positioning can be especially tricky due to the larger vehicle width of an ambulance. This comes into play more heavily in narrow lanes or construction zones. Given the larger vehicle width, it can be easy for drivers to drift into another lane until they’ve adjusted to the vehicle size. Urban environments in general can present unique challenges, with tight spaces, crowded streets, and ample distractions for drivers.
EMS personnel also need to learn on-scene positioning to correctly navigate their vehicles when arriving at an incident. When learning vehicle placement and lane positioning, it can be helpful to review real traffic situations. This enables EMS trainees to analyze how an EMS professional might handle the situation on-road.
Ambulances have a higher center of gravity than a typical car, increasing their body roll and rollover risk. Emergency vehicle operators must manage their speed more carefully to avoid rollovers and traffic accidents. They can struggle to stop or change direction as a smaller vehicle might be able to if an evasive maneuver is needed. To safely practice, trainees can review dashcam footage to more deeply understand ambulance speed limits. Remember, it’s better to arrive a few seconds later than not to arrive at all.
These challenges are all manageable with raised awareness and proper instructor-led training. Ideally, this training doesn’t just teach classic defensive driving concepts, but also includes more active participation and analysis. This might be with POV exercises, dashcam footage, or examination of real traffic situations. Coaching Systems CEVO 5 fulfills all of these requirements, and has been used to train over a million operators worldwide. When drivers understand that operating an ambulance is a completely different ballgame than driving a passenger vehicle, the roads are safer for everyone. With great preparation, ambulance drivers can protect members of the public, paramedics, and patients alike.
Equip your team with the skills they need to handle real-world driving challenges with confidence. Learn how CEVO 5 driver training can reduce risk, improve decision-making, and create safer roads for EMS professionals and the communities they serve.
