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Vehicle Safety Program
In 1999, the Nova Scotia ground ambulance system implemented a Vehicle Safety Program. This program was designed to bring a culture of safety to all staff operating system vehicles. All staff operating system vehicles are trained in "Low Force" driving and operation of vehicles that provide maximum safety to patients, providers and the general public. This program has two major focuses:
- firstly, advanced levels of emergency health care is provided at the scene of the emergency and during the transportation to the receiving facility. The EHS system is a patient focused system, rather than a rapid transportation system. By effectively managing patients at the scene, and a comfortable/safe ride to the hospital, there are very few clinical situations that require lights and siren transportation to the hospital;
- secondly, all EHS system vehicles are equipped with Road Safety International [Link] RS-3001 on-board driving computers that record all driving activities in the vehicles, as well as provide audible feedback to the vehicle driver. Each class of vehicles has pre-determined tolerances for vehicle speed, cornering forces, acceleration and deceleration forces. Paramedics are trained to operate system vehicles within these tolerances. If a tolerance is breached, the operator receives immediate audible feedback.
This electronic data is stored in the vehicle and downloaded by a driving "coach". Regular performance feedback based on factual data is provided to paramedics on a regular basis.
The implementation of this program has resulted in:
- improved patient care during transport
- a safe environment for patients, providers and families in the ambulances
- regular performance feedback to paramedics
- a significant reduction in collisions of EHS ambulances
- reduced forces on the vehicles resulting in lower maintenance costs
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All vehicles are equipped with the
Road Safety International on-board computer system. The program is based on the principles of low-force driving. This system ensures that all drivers of system vehicles are appropriately trained to operate the vehicle, and have a clear understanding of driving expectations. The on-board computer is similar to the black box in use in the airline industry. In addition to electronically stamping critical functions in the ambulance it provides immediate feedback to the operator as they approach the vehicle operating tolerances (eg. maximum speed permitted). The data in the box is downloaded on a regular basis and drivers receive feedback regarding their driving performance.
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Transport Vehicles