A helpful tool for all motorists, especially learners, has been updated.

Blue Light Aware is a series of instructional videos that explain what to do when handling emergency vehicles on the road.

Three new videos have been added, taking the total to ten videos.

Building confidence

GEM Motoring Assist produces the award-winning videos.

These illustrate specific situations where different road users could be confused by emergency vehicles.

Videos cover the following topics:

  • Emergency motorbikes and what they need from road users (produced with the assistance of the Metropolitan Police and DocBike)
  • Specific advice for horse riders (created with and approved by the British Horse Society, with the assistance of the Metropolitan Police Mounted Section’s training school and Surrey Fire and Rescue)
  • Making a good 999 call following a road collision

Emergency cover

The Blue Light Aware resource was created in 2011 to assist drivers by helping them identify solutions to several traffic scenarios involving emergency vehicles where confusion is frequently reported.

Short video animations are ideal for sharing on social media or using and discussing during lessons.

A number of common situations where confusion can occur are covered.

There are sections on roundabouts, junctions, country lanes, motorways, and dual carriageways.

Alongside this, they provide specific advice on maximising safety for those who need to work in potentially dangerous road environments.

Combined effort

Gill Starkie, GEM road safety charity trustee, said: “Our team has been fortunate to enjoy the enthusiastic support of police forces, fire and rescue organisations and the British Horse Society in creating these three new videos.

“We hope they will clearly illustrate specific situations where different road users could be confused or at higher risk.”

The new videos were launched at the 2024 edition of Young Driver Focus, the national conference on road safety interventions for young people.

All the videos are available via the Blue Light Aware library.