Do consultant obstetricians and gynaecologists comply with motor traffic regulations when recalled to hospital to attend emergencies? A national audit

Summary

Consultant obstetricians and gynaecologists are often recalled from home back into hospital to attend emergencies. We audited their driving practices and compliance to motor traffic regulations on recall to these emergencies with the aid of a questionnaire survey. A total of 218 of the 300 UK consultants surveyed responded. Some 65% of those who owned a green warning light beacon (GWL) admitted to speeding on some journeys and 46% ignored red lights; 84% of non-owners of a GWL would speed and 28% would ignore a red light. A total of 37 consultants had been stopped for traffic violations, nine with a GWL and 28 without. Five consultants had been involved in accidents returning to hospital to attend an emergency. Obstetricians and gynaecologists are disregarding motor traffic regulations in order to attend emergencies.

Keywords:

• Emergency hospital recall
• green warning light beacon
• motor traffic regulations
• speeding