Land Transport Act

Question 1

What is urgent duty driving?

Answer 1

When a constable on duty is driving above the speed limit or the natural flow of traffic, and may not be complying with certain traffic rules and is either:

• responding to a critical incident
• gathering evidence of an alleged offence
• apprehending an offender for a traffic or criminal offence
• apprehending a fleeing driver
• engaged in activities approved by the Commissioner in writing

AND IS
- relying on defences under LT Rule 2004 and LTA for not complying with certain traffic rules and regulations which would prevent execution of that duty.

Question 2

What is the overriding principle in relation to urgent duty driving?

Answer 2

Employees must drive at an appropriate speed and manner and bear in mind that they are individually legally responsible for their actions and must prioritise public and police safety.

Question 3

What is a critical incident?

Answer 3

includes situations where:

• force or threat of force is involved
• any person faces the risk of serious harm
• police are responding to people in the act of committing a crime

Question 4

What factors must you take into account when deciding to commence or continue urgent duty driving , and to determine appropriate speed and driving manner?

Answer 4

all circumstances including:

• time of incident (still in progress?)
• nature and seriousness of incident
• proximity of other units
• environment (weather, road type, traffic, speed limit etc)
• driver classification, vehicle classification, passengers
• warning devices used or tactical approach

Question 5

What must you use at all times when undertaking urgent duty driving?

Answer 5

flashing lights and sirens continuously unless using a ‘tactical approach

Question 6

What is a tactical approach?

Answer 6

urgent duty driving without using lights and sirens, or adjusting vehicle speed - speed and manner of driving must reflect and take into account the increased risks resulting from not using warning devices

Question 7

When might you use a tactical approach?

Answer 7

• approaching a scene of a serious crime in progress
• attending a 1X
• obtaining evidence of a speeding offence, if offenders driving is not dangerous and risk of not using lights/sirens is low

Question 8

Do you still have the defences for proceeding against traffic signals or through intersections if you are using a tactical approach and not activating lights and sirens?

Answer 8

NO

Question 9

Can a tactical approach be used once a fleeing driver incident is initiated?

Answer 9

NO

Question 10

What are the responsibilities of a field supervisor when a member engages in urgent duty driving?

Answer 10

• manage police performance relating to driving behaviour
• identifies and manages health and safety risks to those staff
• immediately reports policy breaches to their superior
• investigates and reports crashes involving police vehicle