Private companies have been providing blue-light assistance to emergency NHS Ambulance Trusts around the country for some time now. As well as transporting patients between hospitals, private companies also respond to some emergency calls, which are made via the 999 system. Although the private ambulance that Cumbria Roads Police stopped did have blue lights fitted, the vehicle was not responding to a call, and the driver behind the wheel was not ‘trained or authorised to utilise exemptions.’ ‘Followed this privately operated patient transport ambulance (minus any patients or blue lights) on its return leg #M6 NB #Penrith at speeds bet 90 & 100mph. ‘Driver not trained or authorised to utilise exemptions so roadside reported for excess speed
