Ambulance driver taken to court docket for dashing on emergency name

An ambulance driver who was taken to court for speeding – while on a blue light emergency call – has branded the proceedings as ‘a waste of time’.

Matt Wood was on his way to Southampton Airport to pick up an ‘unstable’ patient arriving from Guernsey, in the Channel Islands, when he was clocked doing 90mph.

The 27-year-old, who was driving an unmarked ambulance, provided evidence he was responding to a medical emergency but was still prosecuted in what he has slammed as ’embarrassing’ proceedings.

After receiving a notice of intended prosecution, he had to attend Southampton Magistrates’ Court, where the case against him was eventually dismissed thanks to evidence he provided.

Speaking afterwards, he said the prosecution was a ‘complete waste of time’. 

Matt Wood (pictured) was on his way to pick up an ‘unstable’ patient when he was clocked doing 90mph

The 27-year-old, who was driving an unmarked ambulance, provided evidence he was responding to a medical emergency

Mr Wood was working for Criticare UK Ambulance Service at the time of the incident in January 2023.

He said: ‘I couldn’t believe it even got taken to court. It’s very odd this has happened.

‘I am pleased the case has been dropped but it is a waste of everyone’s time.

‘It’s embarrassing it has even got this far. I am hoping this won’t happen again.’

Hampshire Constabulary said records indicated the vehicle used was ‘not equipped to transport people and was not marked as an ambulance’.

Mr Wood, from Nursling, Hampshire, was in Portsmouth when he got the call to pick up the patient.

Despite providing documents to prove he was an ambulance driver to Driving Standards and Hampshire Constabulary, the case was still prosecuted.

The emergency vehicle he was driving was an unmarked Volvo, but he did use blue lights.

Mr Wood continued: ‘Our vehicles must be unmarked as they are kept at our homes.

‘We serve the emergency flights from Guernsey – we don’t know in advance what time they will be arriving.

‘It was argued it was not an emergency as we should’ve known what time the flight would be arriving.

‘The patient was deemed to be an emergency case.

‘When the NIP was served on me, I didn’t know whether to laugh or not. It’s quite embarrassing, especially as it is our job.

‘Working in this field, my colleagues and I know there is a risk of this happening, not when it is clear cut.’

He added: ‘In these cases we always make it clear to Driving Standards and the police who we are and what we are doing, and they tend to leave it alone, but not this time.

‘I am hoping this won’t happen again.’

A UNISON spokesperson said: ‘NHS vehicles equipped with blue lights have arrangements in place for handling speeding tickets when dealing with emergencies.

‘Ambulance workers can claim exemptions for going over the speed limit, but issues may arise if they’re in unmarked cars.’

After receiving a notice of intended prosecution, Matt Wood had to attend Southampton Magistrates’ Court, where the case against him was eventually dismissed

The Crown Prosecution Service said a reviewing lawyer took the view the case should be brought to trial after police submitted a file of Mr Wood’s speeding.

A spokesperson added: ‘The CPS have a duty to continually review cases, and in light of Mr Woods’ evidence, the lawyer in court took the decision to offer no evidence and stop the prosecution.

‘The CPS does not decide whether a person is guilty of a criminal offence, but makes a fair, independent assessment about whether the case should be considered by a criminal court.’