Top speed during emergencies

[Simply Shane]

I was just curious if your department has a set speed to go when heading out to an emergency. For example:

If the speed limit is 35 mph is the max speed your allowed lets say 70mph?
or
Does it depend on if it is a two lane road versus a 4 lane road?

The reason I am asking is because around here, most of the city roads are 35 mph, it appears as though a lot of times when emergency vehicles pass me it seems like they aren't doing much more than 50 or 55 mph. While at some other times they appear to be going in excess of 70 mph or so. I was just curious if your department sets a max speed your allowed to go during emergencies.

Thanks
Shane

[grumpyirishman]

Don't set max speed policies

Setting up a maximum speed policy would leave the agency open to civil litigation and $$$ damages if the policy were violated and something unfortunate (accident) occurred.

Maximum speed is determined by the officer, based on his abilities, road and weather conditions, and the severity of the offense.

[SaRDep]

As fast as it's safe.

[PtlCop]

Fast enough to get there, slow enough to not crash.

[Resq14]

We drive with "due regard" at all times.

[Simply Shane]

Thanks for the responses, that's what I was thinking, but I was mainly just being curious.

[Nobody]

user banned permanently

[SlickWillie]

The trip time difference between you driving to an emergency and an EMERGENCY is about 10-15 seconds. Risking your own life, a fifty thousand dollar cruiser, the risk to the public, etc. just isn't worth it because somebody else didn't shoot somebody else soon enough. Until your cape allows individual unassisted flight, just try to remember that you can't swoop in and save your buddy if you're sideways in a ditch, cussing a blown up motor or providing first aid to your victims.

[Nobody]

user banned permanently

[nuthead]

We drive with "due regard" at all times.

Exactly.

[JTShooter]

for things were know are probably bogus, like "man stabbed by grandmother with fork" ( ) we roll "firefighter code", meaning quick, but slow enough not to wreck and stopping at intersections...

All other code 3 calls we are limited to around 20 over. But if it's an officer assist, there is no limit, and even if there was, we'd ignore it.

[DACP]

We are held to XXX over the posted limit, do I like it? NO, do I understand why? YES. We are trying to push for the same as Fire and EMS in putting us at "a speed that is reasonable and prudent for the existing conditions". No need for my speedometer to go from hero to zero when responding to a call.

[nobodyjr]

Our cars (ford's) are governed at 125 I think... but most aren't safe in terms of maintenance past 110. So that's my answer.

[boomhower1820]

We have no policy, just the standard due regard to safety. My car is only good to ~110 due to a dated and worn suspension. And that is just in a straight line. It handles like a pig in the turns.

[Simply Shane]

Sounds like some of you are limited then, but either way I definitely understand you must drive with "due regard". A lot of your responses have been educational, for me at least.