Maybe a little context. You mention "why are they driving so slow", this escort is Not intended for speed. its called "glijdend transport" (gliding transport), the key is to avoid jolts and bumps etc. (broken back/neck, that kinda stuff) you can tell by the Spitsers (name for those bikers) calling out bumps and bad road conditions, if it’s a speed transport they dont do this. Also you mention them calling out "straight for going straight", Whenever they approach a intersection, they take the lane with the lease amount of cars and clear that one. Then they call out what lane they cleared and what direction they are going to take on that lane, in this case they cleared the through lane for going through, often you will hear "rechts af voor rechtdoor" (right (lane) for going through) as this lane is often less busy. Lastly the damned bridge :D Many bridges, including this one in leiden are remotely operated (the silver little box used to be the bridge operators shack) and or automatically, so closing the thing back up is not as easy as it used to be. Thankfully as this was "just" a gliding transport, speed was not that important but it sucks nevertheless PS, no we are not that much of a bunch of peasants that the nearest hospital is a 20 min lights and sirens trip away, they passed 2 or 3 along they way, LUMC is the region lvl1 trauma center
... Okay i commented this nearly at the end of the vid, then i hear Joel mention cardio issue, so I skipped back to the start and yes the voice over indeed says this. But, I dont agree with this, and ill explain why. First, I stand by the explanation I already gave for why it’s a glijdend transport. Secondly, high rist cardio cases (the cases that require escort) have 2 ambulances, the actual car as a technical back up (if the main ambu breaks down, runs flat, has there heart monitor stop working or whatever) and the paramedic from the second ambu rides along the first one, to assist and swap when manual compressions are needed. This was one bus, with spitsers focussed on smooth not fast, so yeah draw your own conclusion.
Right after the police man says they're going 100km/h. Which is quite a good speed. And Dutch roads are designed to drive a certain speed. Driving way faster than the speed limit is not going to help much.
I used to live in Leiden and traveled on the N11 a lot those years. It’s built on incredibly swampy land, and even at 100km/h you can feel bumps in the road. I really wouldn’t want to go faster than 120km/h, even if the road was empty. It would be very risky, especially if the paramedics are actively treating the patient and require a smooth ride.
As a nurse in Sweden. Yes the slow driving gliding transport is because multiple nurses are in ongoing intensive care for the patient in the back, often standing up with sensitive equipment, why we dont want no bumps (communicated ahead to us in the back when they are coming up). As a father, im glad to hear the kid made it. Cardiac arrest in children can incredibly volatile and complicated.
The gliding transport is also often used for injuries like head- and neck trauma here in the Netherlands, to avoid worsening the injury or making the patient uncomfortable by having to slow down and accelerate again the whole time. But also obviously like you said, to ensure the safety of the nurses (+ probably a physician since it was a cardiac arrest in a child) working in the back of the ambulance.
@@J.C.1966 You make it sound so nice! I think it's more society groups separated by religion, culture and politics that dislike each other but got stuck together 400 years ago because they didn't like being ruled over by a king or living at the bottom of the sea (verzuiling). So it works because none of that matters for the ambulance. No politics or consensus needed, but a pragmatic choice to have the infrastructure to get to the hospital fast or in this case smooth.
The kid apparently survived according to someone claiming to be his dad in the OP comment section. 2 minutes were lost at the bridge. The ambulance was slow as the paramedics may have tried to keep him alive and prepare him for an operation maybe inside the ambulance. The bridge is remotely operated. The police OC (Operational Center) The Hague will ask the provincial authorities to keep the bridge down, but apparently communcation broke down. Notice also local police cars lending a hand in Leiden.
because it is very often a gliding transport meaning what matters is that it's a as smooth as possible ride without hard braking and hard turns. It is more important to be able to keep on going / no stopping, that saves the most time
Because of our standard or road maintenance, in the UK they wouldn't need to warn the ambulance of bumps - they'd ;need to warn them where there aren't bumps.
We have one of the best roads but it's always possible they have a pothole that's new. And they call it out because they don't want to give the patient and doctors a jolt they try to keep them as jolt less as possible. There's also rides on speed and then it goes speed speed speed and they don't call out bumps or dips. And the they would have reacted different on the bridge they would possibly even driven around it.
Not only are the cops highly trained using this leapfrogging method to clear intersections ahead, but all the other road users were ALSO trained in how to behave and what to expect when sirens are blaring and blue lights flashing! This went so smoothly that I imagine other road users were not delayed by more than a minute or two - and I bet no one minded a bit.
@@TheCloggydoggythere is a big difference between germans and dutchies on the road tho. But Europeans overall clear roads for emergency vehicles, even in the east of europe they do. Why? Because its common sense, and you get trained for it in drivingschool. Also, kids are not allowed too drive cars on the road, that also helps a lot😅
In The Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Switzerland, it is LAW to drive in the "slow" lane unless overtaking. So, in light traffic, you will never see a vehicle in the "fast" lane. And, in general, drivers in these countries are super aware of vehicles behind them. I wish it was so in my country.
I want to add that the road at that part isn’t great. That highway’s basically built on a swamp, so if you go faster than 120km/h you risk feeling bumps quite severely. At 100km/h you can feel bumps in the road as well as slight changes in elevation. The road’s literally slowly sinking. And of course it’s a busy 100km/h road, so it’s safer if passing speeds aren’t significantly higher than most of the traffic.
I live in the Netherlands and we dont have some places that you called "the middle of nowhere", excepted some small villages in the north east of the country. There are 17,2 million inhabitans who lives at around 41500 km2. We dont have much space over here😅
I worked in the Netherlands for some time. It is one of the most impressive feats of engineering that bridges can be opened and closed with millimeter precision. I've seen how they folded up a highway - amazing!
The patient apparently is a kid so thats kinda a open door they didn’t pay. But the funny thing here is the misconception you dont pay for it in Netherlands. But the parents do pay, every month every pay check. It's called taxes and healthcare insurance (mandatory).So the fact you dont get a bill in hand when you need this service (like the US) you still pay for it, each and every month your whole life a little bit, even if you never need it.
Not true. There is no deductible for children under the age of 18. And yes we pay every month health insurance even if you dont need. Thats why its called a social health insurance system. We pay together for everyone who needs healthcare. I think its better then paying the full bill afterwards by yourself like in the U.S.
@@MichaelCoIIins I am from Czech Republic, of course we all pay mandatory insurance and then we don't pay by doctor, but insurance doesn't bankrupt you and actualy if you are for example unemployed, you don't have to pay that and it's payed by state budget. It's called solidarity.
Your summation was spot on Joel. As an Englishman, what I find impossible to grasp is why the life and convenience of others is so low in the US. We cooperate with emergency services because we have sympathy/empathy with the person and their family that is having this trauma. Why would I think my position on the road is more important than that? I sure some from the US do care, just as some from the UK don't, but there seems a massive culture divide. Why bro?
Please do. It get confused. Many people do get out of the way for emergency vehicles many people also have a special thing they do for peace, good faith, or a quick prayer. You can even see in NYC that people will just get out of the way without the emergency vehicles lights being on (fire trucks and ambulance). Now of course there are individuals and circumstances where you’re on a highway and boxed in and it is obvious you cannot create a whole.but for those INDIVIDUALS!!!! Karma will return the favor. To you’re one statement of the culture divide about family, well sort of kind of yes and no. It is a fine line. It’s depends on what part of the country, which state, and which city and where in the city. Because the emergency response time will be different for a nicer “safer, wealthier” neighborhood vs a less favorable neighborhood. The there is the fact of people knowing they will know use their insurance or call for an ambulance. And lastly if anything were to happen they would receive notification and become more sensitive in that situation. In my experience it seems to be only common relate things that most Americans can join together on. Like when there is a funeral procession and people pull over to let them pass, with or without police escort. The common is family death.
I think one reason might be that care is so commercialised in the US. There probaly are different private ambulance companies, and you can not be sure how bad of an emergency there really is. In Europe you can be sure that when a there is an ambulance with flash lights and sirene, which is state operated, there is a seriuos emergency. Because it is payed for by everyone, and therefore not used lightly. There are also strict rules for the use of sirens, so when you hear them you can be sure it's really bad.
@@anniehope8651it is the same. It is against the law for emergency vehicles to use their light and or sirens without reason. For example, to get past traffic or pass a red light so they won’t have to wait. The calls are all important for sure no matter how big or small the thing is it comes down to that individual and if they want to move out the way or not. And they can get a ticket if that fire truck, ambulance or police officer wants to report it. But also, people can just say okay whatever I will just pay the fine and move on with life. That’s the thing in America we can pay fines, or have police interactions and not feel the same way as in the EU.
Probably skewed by the speed of the motorcyclists, they have to constantly go very fast, way beyond the normal speed limit to make sure the next intersections are cleared, the ambulance is going near the end of the speed limit since it was probably determined that they would be fine doing so, if there was a critical emergency at the original site a helicopter with a trauma team would have been called.
My parents learned to drive in New York city some 50 years ago. I remember that one of the rules they were taught was - you hear the syren no matter if it's ambulance, fire truck or police - you pull aside and clear the way, and only then you look if it's necessary. Seems the rule was forgotten with time, or it applies/d only in New York.
The only thing scarier than an ambulance speeding with sirens to save someone is one driving slowly with sirens. Because that means they're carrying someone where steady is even more important speed. Those are the really bad cases. Everyone will move aside for ambulances.
18:48 OC The Hague, stand for ''Operationeel Centrum'', Den Haag. The ''Control Room'' he's talking to. That Police officer is also from Den Haag, I can tell by his 'The Hague' accent. Every city or village has it's own accent/dialect in the Netherlands. Which is quite amazing for such a small country.
What a disaster 😂😂😂, they reached the bridge after 15'30'' and had to wait 35 seconds before the bridge was down again and the transport could continue. The total journey time was 21'31''. That resulted in a delay of 2.6% 🧮. That was far away from a disaster, it was a damn good job from our neighbors in the Netherlands. Probs are out to all.
The slogan for the emergency services here used to be "If every second counts" (Postbus 51 - Als elke seconde telt). They drove up at 15:50 (the police car, just in front of the ambu) and drove away at 16:07. So the stop was short. But it broke the rhythm, and should not have happened.
@@qi1glit's appropriate when somebody try to blow up a story to a near miss when in fact nothing dramatic happens at all. Eventually is this click baiting the most inappropriate thing that happened here. It's your problem when it hurts your feelings. Your feelings are made by you. Dealing with it or looking for help.
I have been working as a pediatrician in the Netherlands and did quite a few transports as shown in the video. It was always a pleasure to work with these traffic motorcycle policemen. They make the ride as smooth as possible. It’s indeed not about the top speed but about a smooth ride. I also got stuck before a bridge once in a while, there are so many of them in the Netherlands.
Transport by helicopter is also possible in the Netherlands, but if a patient is not stable and may need care during transport, you cannot do that in a helicopter! There is probably also a doctor in this ambulance, who has flown to the location by helicopter, who provides the necessary care in an ambulance, where he has plenty of room to continue the treatment during the journey if necessary. This care is therefore impossible in a helicopter, where the patient lies in the 'tail' of the helicopter during transport.
Transport between hospitals by helicopter is not an option. The Dutch MMT helicopters are there to get a specialised medical team to the site of an incident as soon possible and in case of bad flying weather the team goes there by car. Considering the limited working space in the helicopter a doctor can ride in the ambulance to support the regular ambulance crew. Only in rare occasions the helicopter is used to transport a patient from the accident scene to a hospital.
18:57 The Hague is also the capital of the province (state) of South Holland. From there the regional control (OC) can call the State governement to call the bridge-controller to close the ******* bridge xD
Something about the city of Leiden. The city is famous for its university, which is comparable to Harvard or Oxford. And you might know the city for its history. The Pilgrims, also known as the Pilgrim Fathers, lived in this city before departing for the New World on board of the Mayflower.
They are trying to keep steady pace and as smooth accelleration and braking so that the docs/nurses in the back dont get thrown arount while potentially doing cpr, taking echo,... to prepare the patient for a potential operation, to safe their life
The biggest difference here is RESPECT. Respect for the emergency services from the community. Respect from the Police for the Paramedics and Respect from everyone for the life of the sick person who needed help. Value of life is the key, thank you for this video it brings me joy to see this love and respect xoxo
I've barely come across any ambulances myself, although im not driving that often, or have a licence that long, but I think everyone should always move aside if possible. Because you dont want to be the one to hold up an abulance and afterwards hear that a close friend, or family member died on route to hospital with the ambulance being held up by some idiot unwilling to move
He's referring to the actual trauma doctor, who most likely arrived in a helicopter. Although I don't have any information about this specific case, I assume this is what he meant. @@mariokrings
@@mariokrings so as far as I know, ambulances usually don't have a trauma doctor. These usually arrive in those small cars, like VW Up, or there's usually always one in a helicopter. Only doctors are allowed to give drugs such as ketamine, for example in a case where someone has a bone sticking out. Ofcourse hospitals do have those on site, just not the ambulance crew. If I'm wrong, feel free to correct me :)
@@TheXshot this is a transport between hospitals. In both of which should be a trauma doctor. And even in the ambulance, given the circumstances. So you can be sure everything needed is there. I highly doubt that there is an helicopter involved. So what is this guy talking about? And yes _usually_ the trauma doctors are called separately and come with regular cars, but this isn't a emergency call process, this is a planned transport.
they went to where i worked / lived, brings back memories, i know all these streets blind.... These towns/cities are very crowded. Especially Leiden which is very old, so always issues with traffic. i worked at a research lab at LUMC (the hospital).
If they encounter such a bridge they communicate with their central control also named OC. And with this sort of rides they communicate it with bridge operators as good as possible.
I strongly recommend watching the video on the original channel Verkeerspolitie Den Haag without the commentary. It gives an even better impression without the added drama of the commentary and shows the short and clear communication within the team. Edit: Straight to straight ahead means that the cleared lane is one marked for straight ahead traffic and the target road is also straight ahead. The speed on the motorway is lower to allow the bikes to clear the path and also the intention is to have a smooth ride in the ambience above the speed. The most speed is gained by not stopping at every intersection to check if the traffic has stopped for the ambulance, as the bikes have done that for them beforehand. (And yes, I envy our neighbours for their even better system for transporting critical patients).
so the reason they contacted den haag is probably because that's where the control center is that controls the bridge, because they're trying to get it back down as soon as possible, also the reason they're not going as fast as possible is because they're not trying to get to the hospital as fast as possible, the patient's heart had stopped, they likely managed to get it pumping again before they set off, so patient was not at immediate risk of dying, but they are primarily in danger of the heart stopping again, so there's less time pressure, and more of a focus on making the ride as smooth as possible, avoiding aggressive acceleration/braking, making gentle turns at relatively low speeds, slowing down for the bumps in the road that you can hear the bikes calling out at various points, and perhaps even taking measures inside the cabin to smooth those out even further, all in order to minimize any bumps or jolts that could potentially cause the patient's heart to stop again.
Seening some speed signs and glimpses of the spedomitors they are doing around 170 kph (that around 105mph) on a road thats at max 130kph (75 ish MPH) For the motorbikes at least. So they doing a considerate amount of speed.
Go back to 12:31 he says this area over here while he was hovering the mousepointer over the video bar at the start. He's even saying especially here at the start.
Hi Joel , a great video. In Bruges when the ambulance needs assistance from a doctor they send a doctor by car or a helicopter. They once had to bring someone with burns to a special clinic in Brussels. It was by helicopter. The only helicopter is in Bruges. (pierre)
18:49 OC the Hague is short for "Operational Command The Hague". In this case they were specifically calling out to the command center where dispatch coordinates with them to raise their attention. Ter Aar and Leiden fall under the responsibility of the Emergency services command center in The Hague. They wouldn't be diverting to a hospital in The Hague, that's another ~25-35 mins ride, taking their traffic priority into account.
I was a paramedic and i would have been in the back,every second counts. In Australia even without an escort drivers would get out of the way,many having to pull over and stop , we never lost anyone due to traffic. It just restores your faith in people
Watching Police and Ambulance crew getting critically ill children into Great Ormond Street hospital right in the heart of congested central London, always gave me a strong emotional response. Moving these patients via air, is not normally an option. The problem in the UK is the traffic calming measures currently being implemented in the UK are getting the balance wrong and are starting to seriously impact the emergency services, and protesters mis-using their right to peaceful protest, are putting lives at risk, obstructing roads.
wow - I was on the edge of my chair watching this... how good were they, everyone concerned (except perhaps the bridge operator, bet he got a bollicking). Super impressed! One thing to note though, I can't believe the DISTANCE that the ambo had to travel from "suburbia" or was it a "village"? Anyway, glad it all happened correctly. I've subscribed!
the ambulance isn't going at top speed because stability is also a factor as the patient is being treated on the way to the hospital. that's also why they report every bump coming up to the leader in the car.
Such respect for the ambulances driving this route without an escort. It helps a lot that there are strict rules about making way for emergency services. Kids on bikes are even taught this. On moterways we already drive on the right by default. And there are standard rules about how to give way to emergency services. The lesson car I wouldn't even be super worried about because there is a professional driving instructor in there telling the student what to do
@@ronaldderooij1774 In Europe ( I think in all countries except GB) It´s mandatory by law to drive in the right lane. The left is only for overtaking, and you have to go back to the right again when you have passed.
@@pialindh8716 indeed right is default and left for overtaking. Sticking on the left lane unnecessarily can get you a fine. With more than 2 lanes only the most left lane has this rule
Encountered 2 ambu's (without escort) in 2 days in the nortern parts of the Netherlands. When everyone sticks to a safe etiquette then everything will go as smoothly as possible. And that was exactly what happened. I have to add: it was not in a highly populated area so the need for an escort is low then 😊
I was an ambulance driver for awhile and we had to drive slow when the patient needed attension or was in danger. It's often someone who don't leave the lane free in time so the ambulance must brake and that can be bad for the one who maybe try to give the patient an injection or something. The thing with the bridge surprised me, since I never had to care about things like that, the radio central contacted the bridge operator and told the estimated time when it had to be closed, something must have been messed up here.
I dunno like you but it always touch me a lot, when I see ambulance on signal and drivers stop, go right/left etc. Knowing that they are fighting for someone's life is great releave... I just wish that if that was me there inside other people make space for ambulance.
Yeah, I went and asked what happened with that bridge. It's ours after all. Turns out, the cycle is seven minutes. And cargo ships, once they start moving, don't stop so easily. Major panick, shouting at skippers over the mariphone and such. So if dispatch is late, there's no helping it. And sometimes dispatch is very busy. Nobody's fault, really. Amazing that it doesn't go wrong more often. But that bridge is about to be replaced by a higher one so it doesn't have to open so often.
Dutchies know that when this kind of convoy appears, they need to listen and get out of the way as they know that this is usually what is known as the "Levensrit" (Liferide) aka the kind of ride we all hope to be able to get if it is ever needed (although we hope it never happens).
Great reaction video. This is my daily route to work. These months (summer) the bridge is open almost every morning when I arrive there. I think they closed it sooner though. Normally it takes forever. Sometimes up to 10 minutes! Since you're watching a lot of dutch content... did you see how Dutch supporters took over Germany for the EK football? ;)
The middle of nowhere in the Netherlands...well it is all relative, since the Netherlands is the most densely populated area in Western-Europe. If there are less then a 1000 people in a 3 mile radius....it is the middle of nowhere.
Cool video! It started in the aeria I live nearby…and saw colleagues assisting. When police, fireworkers or ambulance are in traffic with sirens and lights, everyone needs to get himself out of the way. Fortunately people do that, I’ve never seen someone obstruct on purpose or didn’t pay attention to these vehicles. Everyone can hear the sirens so playing dumb like “o, I didn’t see it” is not possible in my opinion. If it was, then that driver should be taken his license and never get it back. Such behavior can cost a life. “What if I was in that ambulance? Would I appreciate cooperation?” In fact such behavior can be legally punished. A good thing!! OC = operating center. Something like a 911 center. People calling “112” will also connect to the OC. Police, fire brigade and ambulance are in the same OC. They are in contact with their colleagues on the streets. When the officer noticed the bridge went open, he can’t contact the bridge operator by himself in that situation. So he contacted the OC and they do the rest.
18:00 somewhere here the guy mentions "OC Den Haag" you later refer to this thinking its the hospital. Good guess there is a hospital there but no. OC essentially means the police command center. Its where they get directions from and their main communication hub. There is multiple of these in the country and this one is in the hague. What he was saying was basically that he was angry at them for not arranging this. Its likely extra heated in the moment ofc and probably frustration. But OC is what should be making sure that the bridge is closed. They don't have direct control over the bridges but do over a few things like certain traffic lights i think, the bridges they would have to contact other people for (they are remote controlled and guarded with cameras)
To get a drivers license we have to take actual driving lessons from a certified instructor. He/she not only teaches you how to handle the vehicle but also how to behave in traffic. It can take up to 20 or 40 lessons before one is allowed to take the exam for a license. But not after we've first taken a theoretical exam on trafic rules. That may explain why Dutch drivers differ from those in the US.
That strip along the road with a solid line is an emergency lane. You can find that in the Netherlands along the highway. You use that if you have a breakdown with your car. the police, fire brigade and ambulance are also allowed to drive there if there is an emergency. It is not a sidewalk or a footpath. And it is not a bicycle path either😉
12:22 youre right, windmills would be lower populated area but Netherlands has a crap ton of windmills. The province in the center (it looks like an island) is fully powered by its own wind energy and even has spare. also "low populated area" in Netherlands is still fairly populated. We are one of the highest population densities in Europe and it really doesn't get more empty then farmland. So at minimum there is still farmers living there. Since there is no mountains there is very little land that's not in use for something. Netherlands is also one of the countries with the highest, if not the highest % arable land
17:26 well. Everybody knows atleast someone that needed an ambulance. Time is super important. So Everybody(except that one a hole) give space. Its like 10 sec of my time can save a live.
That first bridge is just outside my town. What the video did not state is that there is another bridge a few hundred meters later. They often open one after the other. Because they had closed one bridge, as soon as the boat passed, for the ambulance they obviously made the boat wait and kept the other bridge down.
Usually the Dutch don't like cops, but this is on a millitary scale and I salute them. Well done. And you can see the Dutch respect the right of way for an ambulance. Good thing, I have been in there a cople of times... make way, for one day it will be you.....
Jps. Great video showing co-operation between emergency services. The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg are known as the Low Countries. The only “bumps” the Police motor cops reported were what we call in the UK as speed bumps, years ago the authorities called them sleeping policemen but soon became speed bumps, more politically correct. When you come to The Netherlands you will probably arrive in Schiphol. The railway company, NS, Nederland’s Spoorwegen has a station under the main the main entrance area, their signs are yellow & blue. They have ticket machined that take credit cards that speak English. The main ticket office is a good place to enquire about multi journey tickets. There are trains to everywhere, including international to France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Denmark and London. Getting around The Netherlands is easy with the trams, buses and the railway. It won’t take you long to find there are no real hills and mountains. There is the occasional one. Belgium is easy to get to Brussels is few hours away, a day trip from Amsterdam is easy. No NS domestic trains have restaurant cars, the country is too small. Some of the longer distant trains have coffee trolleys.
The ambulance driver seems to have a slight Leiden or The Hague accent. Not the people that are known for the prettiest use of language (or actually, maybe, on the contrary).
"Why are they moving so slow" (reffering to the police car in front of the ambulance) Ah, you're thinking this is all about moving the patient as fast as possible, right? An old misconception.
@DavidPelc, the insurance paid for the most the ambulance. But we have an own risk of 385 euro a year, in total. It means, when you spent that 385 euro, before, (for example dentist costs, or some other medical costs) the ride is totally paid by the insurance. If it is the the first time of the year, you needed a medical treatment, you get a bill at the end of the year, max 385 euro.
Funny thing .... 63 years ago I was born and raised in The Hague and live in a rural area now.... I've never ever seen a (high speed) ambulance being escorted by (that many) policemen ..... When that happens it will probably be because a very important person is inside the ambulance.... this never happens when 'normal' people are involved ......
Hahaha I grew up in the area this was filmed! It isn’t exactly middle of nowhere since most major cities can be reached in under an hour! However side walkes and road quality are (almost) the same everywhere in the Netherlands since they’re payed from taxes :)
And yet here in the uk the nhs is in such a crap state in my city norwich it took 2 hours for an ambulance to attend a guy knocked off his bicycle in a hit and run the other week.
I waited a day in London when my son was having breathing difficulties. Had to drive him to hospital and he was at deaths door, but, Engerlund and their voters, they will never learn
This makes me cry so much. No children should have a cardiac arrest. Hope the kid is alright although it had to take the long road in those conditions. Actually we have helicopters for that in Berlin and pretty sure in the Netherlands as well. Just watched at least 3 gelbe Engel (yellow angels as we call them in Germany) on flightradar24 saving peoples lives who were severely ill.
That thing with the bridge must’ve been a human mistake. As far as I know they’re in direct communication with Rijkswaterstaat Verkeer (dept. of Infrastructure - traffic), notifying that an emergency transport is on its way.
They are automated so that is an issue with its software/with not properly being integrated with EMS services, it should've recognized the approaching EMS and give that priority.
If there is one thing we learn when taking 'driving lessons' you read it correct we have to go to a driving school, its using our mirrors constantly. Thats why most of the people react in time and move away😊at the last roundabout you can see a car from a driving school (leswagen):)
Joel... You kept saying at the end of the video, in your summing uo if the sutuation, that "the bridge was *down* " !! You meant, the bridge was _up_ surely?! As _that_ was the _minor_ problem - it was raised, though it would / could be a _major_ problem if the bridge operators had _not_ been able to lower it as swifly as they (fortunately) did. Well Done to all concerned during that drive to get the child safely yet swiftly to the Hospital. I hope the child is now recovered. 🖖
Ter Aar - Leiden, UMC is 12.4 miles. (20 km) 09:43 Why are they going so slow? Speed is 74.5 miles per hour (120km/ph) Later on the speed is 80.7 mpu (130 km/ph) In the Netherlands we're taught to go to the side of the road, [and stop, especially in the city] whenever you hear the siren of the Police, Ambulance or Fire Brigade, to let them pass by.
Notice that after the bridge, there is a local police car blocking that first intersection. Note that the video has been edited, you are not watching the real-time transfer.
23:12 it was probably clipped, I thought you said it was from “Ter Apel” to “Leiden”, that’s like a 2.5 hour drive. Or did you say “Ter Aar” which would be a 25-30 minute drive.
never seen this, i even living 5km from netherlands away.. it must be really critical. dont blame the ambulance, its the best you can do. im surprised by that. 2 motorcycles right away to clear the street, its genius. in germany we would freak out.. its never been that orginized. most of the german drivers didnt even know what to do, if a simple crash hapends .. i mean just look at the german ambulance video who stuck in traffic at the autobahn..thats so sad. and now watch this. a combination of these 2 strategies, would be awesome.. the first motorcyclists ensure that the emergency lane is clear, so that the rescue ambulance can pass through without any problems.
Maybe a little context.
You mention "why are they driving so slow", this escort is Not intended for speed. its called "glijdend transport" (gliding transport), the key is to avoid jolts and bumps etc. (broken back/neck, that kinda stuff) you can tell by the Spitsers (name for those bikers) calling out bumps and bad road conditions, if it’s a speed transport they dont do this.
Also you mention them calling out "straight for going straight", Whenever they approach a intersection, they take the lane with the lease amount of cars and clear that one. Then they call out what lane they cleared and what direction they are going to take on that lane, in this case they cleared the through lane for going through, often you will hear "rechts af voor rechtdoor" (right (lane) for going through) as this lane is often less busy.
Lastly the damned bridge :D Many bridges, including this one in leiden are remotely operated (the silver little box used to be the bridge operators shack) and or automatically, so closing the thing back up is not as easy as it used to be. Thankfully as this was "just" a gliding transport, speed was not that important but it sucks nevertheless
PS, no we are not that much of a bunch of peasants that the nearest hospital is a 20 min lights and sirens trip away, they passed 2 or 3 along they way, LUMC is the region lvl1 trauma center
... Okay i commented this nearly at the end of the vid, then i hear Joel mention cardio issue, so I skipped back to the start and yes the voice over indeed says this.
But, I dont agree with this, and ill explain why.
First, I stand by the explanation I already gave for why it’s a glijdend transport.
Secondly, high rist cardio cases (the cases that require escort) have 2 ambulances, the actual car as a technical back up (if the main ambu breaks down, runs flat, has there heart monitor stop working or whatever) and the paramedic from the second ambu rides along the first one, to assist and swap when manual compressions are needed.
This was one bus, with spitsers focussed on smooth not fast, so yeah draw your own conclusion.
@@MichaelCoIIins yeah ain't no way they are driving and communicating like that unless there is a very good reason for it.
Right after the police man says they're going 100km/h. Which is quite a good speed. And Dutch roads are designed to drive a certain speed. Driving way faster than the speed limit is not going to help much.
@@1573Angel several times also 120 and 130
I used to live in Leiden and traveled on the N11 a lot those years. It’s built on incredibly swampy land, and even at 100km/h you can feel bumps in the road. I really wouldn’t want to go faster than 120km/h, even if the road was empty. It would be very risky, especially if the paramedics are actively treating the patient and require a smooth ride.
As a nurse in Sweden. Yes the slow driving gliding transport is because multiple nurses are in ongoing intensive care for the patient in the back, often standing up with sensitive equipment, why we dont want no bumps (communicated ahead to us in the back when they are coming up).
As a father, im glad to hear the kid made it. Cardiac arrest in children can incredibly volatile and complicated.
The gliding transport is also often used for injuries like head- and neck trauma here in the Netherlands, to avoid worsening the injury or making the patient uncomfortable by having to slow down and accelerate again the whole time. But also obviously like you said, to ensure the safety of the nurses (+ probably a physician since it was a cardiac arrest in a child) working in the back of the ambulance.
This is how a civilised society works. People caring for a baby and family they do not know.
and they don't even know it's a baby
@@J.C.1966 You make it sound so nice! I think it's more society groups separated by religion, culture and politics that dislike each other but got stuck together 400 years ago because they didn't like being ruled over by a king or living at the bottom of the sea (verzuiling). So it works because none of that matters for the ambulance. No politics or consensus needed, but a pragmatic choice to have the infrastructure to get to the hospital fast or in this case smooth.
The kid apparently survived according to someone claiming to be his dad in the OP comment section. 2 minutes were lost at the bridge. The ambulance was slow as the paramedics may have tried to keep him alive and prepare him for an operation maybe inside the ambulance. The bridge is remotely operated. The police OC (Operational Center) The Hague will ask the provincial authorities to keep the bridge down, but apparently communcation broke down. Notice also local police cars lending a hand in Leiden.
"why are they going so slow?" they are going 74 mph in a 2 line road, and paramedics are, maybe, working inside the ambulance...
because it is very often a gliding transport meaning what matters is that it's a as smooth as possible ride without hard braking and hard turns. It is more important to be able to keep on going / no stopping, that saves the most time
@@raymondk2202 I know, thanks
Because of our standard or road maintenance, in the UK they wouldn't need to warn the ambulance of bumps - they'd ;need to warn them where there aren't bumps.
We have one of the best roads but it's always possible they have a pothole that's new. And they call it out because they don't want to give the patient and doctors a jolt they try to keep them as jolt less as possible. There's also rides on speed and then it goes speed speed speed and they don't call out bumps or dips. And the they would have reacted different on the bridge they would possibly even driven around it.
Not only are the cops highly trained using this leapfrogging method to clear intersections ahead, but all the other road users were ALSO trained in how to behave and what to expect when sirens are blaring and blue lights flashing! This went so smoothly that I imagine other road users were not delayed by more than a minute or two - and I bet no one minded a bit.
The Dutch and the Germans seem to be THE BEST at clearing a path for emergency vehicles, even on the most congested roads & multi-lane 🙂highways.
@@TheCloggydoggythere is a big difference between germans and dutchies on the road tho. But Europeans overall clear roads for emergency vehicles, even in the east of europe they do. Why? Because its common sense, and you get trained for it in drivingschool. Also, kids are not allowed too drive cars on the road, that also helps a lot😅
In The Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Switzerland, it is LAW to drive in the "slow" lane unless overtaking. So, in light traffic, you will never see a vehicle in the "fast" lane. And, in general, drivers in these countries are super aware of vehicles behind them. I wish it was so in my country.
"never" :D Well ...
9:40 they are not "going slow", they are to avoid sudden braking. It's often more important to keep a steady pace than to go fast.
I wouldn't call 120km/h a "slow speed". An Ambulance with a patient lying in the back is not a sportscar.
@@tobyk.4911 exactly!
I want to add that the road at that part isn’t great. That highway’s basically built on a swamp, so if you go faster than 120km/h you risk feeling bumps quite severely. At 100km/h you can feel bumps in the road as well as slight changes in elevation. The road’s literally slowly sinking.
And of course it’s a busy 100km/h road, so it’s safer if passing speeds aren’t significantly higher than most of the traffic.
I live in the Netherlands and we dont have some places that you called "the middle of nowhere", excepted some small villages in the north east of the country. There are 17,2 million inhabitans who lives at around 41500 km2. We dont have much space over here😅
Actually, it's 18 million now!
I worked in the Netherlands for some time. It is one of the most impressive feats of engineering that bridges can be opened and closed with millimeter precision. I've seen how they folded up a highway - amazing!
That was unbelievable,THANKS TO ALL,THE POLICE THE PARAMEDICS,AND PEOPLE IN GENERAL.❤❤❤❤❤
And the best part...the patient payed 0€ for all of that.🙂
The patient apparently is a kid so thats kinda a open door they didn’t pay. But the funny thing here is the misconception you dont pay for it in Netherlands. But the parents do pay, every month every pay check. It's called taxes and healthcare insurance (mandatory).So the fact you dont get a bill in hand when you need this service (like the US) you still pay for it, each and every month your whole life a little bit, even if you never need it.
They paid 400 Euro deductible for that. Plus monthly 140 Euro pp insurance (not for the kid, but mandatory for adults) and taxes.
Not true. There is no deductible for children under the age of 18. And yes we pay every month health insurance even if you dont need. Thats why its called a social health insurance system. We pay together for everyone who needs healthcare. I think its better then paying the full bill afterwards by yourself like in the U.S.
@@MichaelCoIIins I am from Czech Republic, of course we all pay mandatory insurance and then we don't pay by doctor, but insurance doesn't bankrupt you and actualy if you are for example unemployed, you don't have to pay that and it's payed by state budget. It's called solidarity.
@@ronaldderooij1774 are 5here any Dutch people to confirm you pay for ambulance? Because here in Czech Republic we don't pay.
I loved the strong language used by the officer(s). It indicates that they really care and committed to their job.
i know, i use strong languages when scratching my ball sack.
If you're a good person and you know it's about a child's life ... but yes, they're definitely good people!
Your summation was spot on Joel. As an Englishman, what I find impossible to grasp is why the life and convenience of others is so low in the US. We cooperate with emergency services because we have sympathy/empathy with the person and their family that is having this trauma. Why would I think my position on the road is more important than that? I sure some from the US do care, just as some from the UK don't, but there seems a massive culture divide. Why bro?
In the US the ambulance call outs cost so much they aren't used to dealing with them on the roads.
It's not only in the US drivers don't get out of the way of emergency services .
Please do. It get confused. Many people do get out of the way for emergency vehicles many people also have a special thing they do for peace, good faith, or a quick prayer. You can even see in NYC that people will just get out of the way without the emergency vehicles lights being on (fire trucks and ambulance). Now of course there are individuals and circumstances where you’re on a highway and boxed in and it is obvious you cannot create a whole.but for those INDIVIDUALS!!!! Karma will return the favor.
To you’re one statement of the culture divide about family, well sort of kind of yes and no. It is a fine line. It’s depends on what part of the country, which state, and which city and where in the city. Because the emergency response time will be different for a nicer “safer, wealthier” neighborhood vs a less favorable neighborhood. The there is the fact of people knowing they will know use their insurance or call for an ambulance. And lastly if anything were to happen they would receive notification and become more sensitive in that situation.
In my experience it seems to be only common relate things that most Americans can join together on. Like when there is a funeral procession and people pull over to let them pass, with or without police escort. The common is family death.
I think one reason might be that care is so commercialised in the US. There probaly are different private ambulance companies, and you can not be sure how bad of an emergency there really is. In Europe you can be sure that when a there is an ambulance with flash lights and sirene, which is state operated, there is a seriuos emergency. Because it is payed for by everyone, and therefore not used lightly. There are also strict rules for the use of sirens, so when you hear them you can be sure it's really bad.
@@anniehope8651it is the same. It is against the law for emergency vehicles to use their light and or sirens without reason. For example, to get past traffic or pass a red light so they won’t have to wait. The calls are all important for sure no matter how big or small the thing is it comes down to that individual and if they want to move out the way or not. And they can get a ticket if that fire truck, ambulance or police officer wants to report it. But also, people can just say okay whatever I will just pay the fine and move on with life.
That’s the thing in America we can pay fines, or have police interactions and not feel the same way as in the EU.
"Why are they going so slow?!"
"Speed is 120 Km/h"
I mean, they did say at the start that they should keep a stable pace too...
Speed on an single lane route is only 100 max not 120km
@@DE-xt7jv I wasn't saying the max speed.
I was quoting the officer on the radio saying their current speed according to the speedometer.
Probably skewed by the speed of the motorcyclists, they have to constantly go very fast, way beyond the normal speed limit to make sure the next intersections are cleared, the ambulance is going near the end of the speed limit since it was probably determined that they would be fine doing so, if there was a critical emergency at the original site a helicopter with a trauma team would have been called.
Thank you for reacting to this :)
Kind regards from the Netherlands
My parents learned to drive in New York city some 50 years ago. I remember that one of the rules they were taught was - you hear the syren no matter if it's ambulance, fire truck or police - you pull aside and clear the way, and only then you look if it's necessary. Seems the rule was forgotten with time, or it applies/d only in New York.
The only thing scarier than an ambulance speeding with sirens to save someone is one driving slowly with sirens. Because that means they're carrying someone where steady is even more important speed. Those are the really bad cases. Everyone will move aside for ambulances.
18:48 OC The Hague, stand for ''Operationeel Centrum'', Den Haag. The ''Control Room'' he's talking to. That Police officer is also from Den Haag, I can tell by his 'The Hague' accent. Every city or village has it's own accent/dialect in the Netherlands. Which is quite amazing for such a small country.
Yeah, quite the accent, haha. Very recognisable.
@@balaenopteramusculus lol
What a disaster 😂😂😂, they reached the bridge after 15'30'' and had to wait 35 seconds before the bridge was down again and the transport could continue. The total journey time was 21'31''. That resulted in a delay of 2.6% 🧮. That was far away from a disaster, it was a damn good job from our neighbors in the Netherlands. Probs are out to all.
The use of these emoji's(😂) is a little cringe, 35 seconds can be a long time.
The slogan for the emergency services here used to be "If every second counts" (Postbus 51 - Als elke seconde telt). They drove up at 15:50 (the police car, just in front of the ambu) and drove away at 16:07. So the stop was short. But it broke the rhythm, and should not have happened.
Not really appropriate to be sarcastic and use laughing emojis in this context, a human being's life was at stake and every second counted.
@@qi1glit's appropriate when somebody try to blow up a story to a near miss when in fact nothing dramatic happens at all. Eventually is this click baiting the most inappropriate thing that happened here. It's your problem when it hurts your feelings. Your feelings are made by you. Dealing with it or looking for help.
It's so impressive to see how the bikers takes turn to clear and prepare intersections and roundabouts for the ambulance to keep a steady pace.
I have been working as a pediatrician in the Netherlands and did quite a few transports as shown in the video. It was always a pleasure to work with these traffic motorcycle policemen. They make the ride as smooth as possible. It’s indeed not about the top speed but about a smooth ride. I also got stuck before a bridge once in a while, there are so many of them in the Netherlands.
Transport by helicopter is also possible in the Netherlands, but if a patient is not stable and may need care during transport, you cannot do that in a helicopter! There is probably also a doctor in this ambulance, who has flown to the location by helicopter, who provides the necessary care in an ambulance, where he has plenty of room to continue the treatment during the journey if necessary. This care is therefore impossible in a helicopter, where the patient lies in the 'tail' of the helicopter during transport.
Transport between hospitals by helicopter is not an option. The Dutch MMT helicopters are there to get a specialised medical team to the site of an incident as soon possible and in case of bad flying weather the team goes there by car. Considering the limited working space in the helicopter a doctor can ride in the ambulance to support the regular ambulance crew.
Only in rare occasions the helicopter is used to transport a patient from the accident scene to a hospital.
18:57 The Hague is also the capital of the province (state) of South Holland. From there the regional control (OC) can call the State governement to call the bridge-controller to close the ******* bridge xD
Something about the city of Leiden. The city is famous for its university, which is comparable to Harvard or Oxford. And you might know the city for its history. The Pilgrims, also known as the Pilgrim Fathers, lived in this city before departing for the New World on board of the Mayflower.
The LUMC (where the ambulance was heading) also quite renowned in medical research.
And of course Leiden is very famous for it's musical legends Rubberen Robbie
I only watched this one in the last couple of days, Team Traffic are Fantastic. Joel I ❤ the play button placed proudly in shot, it was well deserved!
Lol "Why are they going so slow" while they're driving 120 km/h 😂. Made me laugh a little bit
Whats most impressive is that the ambulance is driving in a manner to provide maximum comfort to the patient
They are trying to keep steady pace and as smooth accelleration and braking so that the docs/nurses in the back dont get thrown arount while potentially doing cpr, taking echo,... to prepare the patient for a potential operation, to safe their life
@@nielsleenknegt5839 yup, true. Very very good skill
The biggest difference here is RESPECT. Respect for the emergency services from the community. Respect from the Police for the Paramedics and Respect from everyone for the life of the sick person who needed help. Value of life is the key, thank you for this video it brings me joy to see this love and respect xoxo
I've barely come across any ambulances myself, although im not driving that often, or have a licence that long, but I think everyone should always move aside if possible. Because you dont want to be the one to hold up an abulance and afterwards hear that a close friend, or family member died on route to hospital with the ambulance being held up by some idiot unwilling to move
So impressive. Struth by the time they got to the hospital I had tears in my eyes in relief. Unbelievable.
The canal also has traffic lights attached to the bridge pillars that indicate when ships may pass.
The call to The Hague was because the bridge is operated remotely from the Hague.
They are going "gliding speed" to allow the paramedics and probably in this case the doctor from the helicopter to work smoothly
Helicopter?
He's referring to the actual trauma doctor, who most likely arrived in a helicopter. Although I don't have any information about this specific case, I assume this is what he meant. @@mariokrings
@@TheXshot didn't know that trauma doctors _most likely_ come with a helicopter. Shouldn't all hospitals have those on-site?
@@mariokrings so as far as I know, ambulances usually don't have a trauma doctor. These usually arrive in those small cars, like VW Up, or there's usually always one in a helicopter. Only doctors are allowed to give drugs such as ketamine, for example in a case where someone has a bone sticking out.
Ofcourse hospitals do have those on site, just not the ambulance crew.
If I'm wrong, feel free to correct me :)
@@TheXshot this is a transport between hospitals. In both of which should be a trauma doctor. And even in the ambulance, given the circumstances. So you can be sure everything needed is there. I highly doubt that there is an helicopter involved. So what is this guy talking about?
And yes _usually_ the trauma doctors are called separately and come with regular cars, but this isn't a emergency call process, this is a planned transport.
they went to where i worked / lived, brings back memories, i know all these streets blind.... These towns/cities are very crowded. Especially Leiden which is very old, so always issues with traffic.
i worked at a research lab at LUMC (the hospital).
Usually the bridge keeper is warned in advance that the bridge may not be raised until after the ambulance has passed.
The cops in the Netherlands are awesome people. They are human. And that makes a difference.
If they encounter such a bridge they communicate with their central control also named OC. And with this sort of rides they communicate it with bridge operators as good as possible.
very nice job with the traffic, respect.
I strongly recommend watching the video on the original channel Verkeerspolitie Den Haag without the commentary. It gives an even better impression without the added drama of the commentary and shows the short and clear communication within the team.
Edit: Straight to straight ahead means that the cleared lane is one marked for straight ahead traffic and the target road is also straight ahead.
The speed on the motorway is lower to allow the bikes to clear the path and also the intention is to have a smooth ride in the ambience above the speed. The most speed is gained by not stopping at every intersection to check if the traffic has stopped for the ambulance, as the bikes have done that for them beforehand. (And yes, I envy our neighbours for their even better system for transporting critical patients).
so the reason they contacted den haag is probably because that's where the control center is that controls the bridge, because they're trying to get it back down as soon as possible,
also the reason they're not going as fast as possible is because they're not trying to get to the hospital as fast as possible, the patient's heart had stopped, they likely managed to get it pumping again before they set off, so patient was not at immediate risk of dying, but they are primarily in danger of the heart stopping again, so there's less time pressure, and more of a focus on making the ride as smooth as possible, avoiding aggressive acceleration/braking, making gentle turns at relatively low speeds, slowing down for the bumps in the road that you can hear the bikes calling out at various points, and perhaps even taking measures inside the cabin to smooth those out even further, all in order to minimize any bumps or jolts that could potentially cause the patient's heart to stop again.
Seening some speed signs and glimpses of the spedomitors they are doing around 170 kph (that around 105mph) on a road thats at max 130kph (75 ish MPH) For the motorbikes at least. So they doing a considerate amount of speed.
12:37 That road has no sidewalks, those are emergency lanes.
If you walk there people will think you are crazy or worse.
Think he was referring to the first part of the video. The streets in Ter Aar. As he was talking about that and hovering there on the progress bar.
Go back to 12:31 he says this area over here while he was hovering the mousepointer over the video bar at the start. He's even saying especially here at the start.
Hi Joel , a great video. In Bruges when the ambulance needs assistance from a doctor they send a doctor by car or a helicopter. They once had to bring someone with burns to a special clinic in Brussels. It was by helicopter. The only helicopter is in Bruges. (pierre)
18:49 OC the Hague is short for "Operational Command The Hague". In this case they were specifically calling out to the command center where dispatch coordinates with them to raise their attention. Ter Aar and Leiden fall under the responsibility of the Emergency services command center in The Hague. They wouldn't be diverting to a hospital in The Hague, that's another ~25-35 mins ride, taking their traffic priority into account.
I was a paramedic and i would have been in the back,every second counts. In Australia even without an escort drivers would get out of the way,many having to pull over and stop , we never lost anyone due to traffic. It just restores your faith in people
They called in that bridge to the control unit in The Hague [probably using the same strong language] ..
Watching Police and Ambulance crew getting critically ill children into Great Ormond Street hospital right in the heart of congested central London, always gave me a strong emotional response. Moving these patients via air, is not normally an option. The problem in the UK is the traffic calming measures currently being implemented in the UK are getting the balance wrong and are starting to seriously impact the emergency services, and protesters mis-using their right to peaceful protest, are putting lives at risk, obstructing roads.
Had to laugh when you said that the rest of the traffic are good drivers, they aren't, they are standart, they just apply what they have been taught.
Never thought they would take a 'shortcut' through a Leiden neighbourhood
It isn't exactly the middle of nowhere, at 15:05 at the right is the largest and original Heineken Brewery (Zoeterwoude)
wow - I was on the edge of my chair watching this... how good were they, everyone concerned (except perhaps the bridge operator, bet he got a bollicking). Super impressed! One thing to note though, I can't believe the DISTANCE that the ambo had to travel from "suburbia" or was it a "village"? Anyway, glad it all happened correctly. I've subscribed!
the ambulance isn't going at top speed because stability is also a factor as the patient is being treated on the way to the hospital. that's also why they report every bump coming up to the leader in the car.
Such respect for the ambulances driving this route without an escort.
It helps a lot that there are strict rules about making way for emergency services. Kids on bikes are even taught this. On moterways we already drive on the right by default. And there are standard rules about how to give way to emergency services. The lesson car I wouldn't even be super worried about because there is a professional driving instructor in there telling the student what to do
I do not notice that driving on the right is mandatoy on motorways. Trucks generally do, but cars not so much.
@@ronaldderooij1774 In Europe ( I think in all countries except GB) It´s mandatory by law to drive in the right lane. The left is only for overtaking, and you have to go back to the right again when you have passed.
@@pialindh8716 indeed right is default and left for overtaking. Sticking on the left lane unnecessarily can get you a fine. With more than 2 lanes only the most left lane has this rule
Encountered 2 ambu's (without escort) in 2 days in the nortern parts of the Netherlands. When everyone sticks to a safe etiquette then everything will go as smoothly as possible. And that was exactly what happened. I have to add: it was not in a highly populated area so the need for an escort is low then 😊
imagine the pressure of first time driving a bike on that job!
I was an ambulance driver for awhile and we had to drive slow when the patient needed attension or was in danger.
It's often someone who don't leave the lane free in time so the ambulance must brake and that can be bad for the one who maybe try to give the patient an injection or something.
The thing with the bridge surprised me, since I never had to care about things like that, the radio central contacted the bridge operator and told the estimated time when it had to be closed, something must have been messed up here.
I dunno like you but it always touch me a lot, when I see ambulance on signal and drivers stop, go right/left etc. Knowing that they are fighting for someone's life is great releave... I just wish that if that was me there inside other people make space for ambulance.
Yeah, I went and asked what happened with that bridge. It's ours after all. Turns out, the cycle is seven minutes. And cargo ships, once they start moving, don't stop so easily. Major panick, shouting at skippers over the mariphone and such. So if dispatch is late, there's no helping it. And sometimes dispatch is very busy. Nobody's fault, really. Amazing that it doesn't go wrong more often.
But that bridge is about to be replaced by a higher one so it doesn't have to open so often.
Dutchies know that when this kind of convoy appears, they need to listen and get out of the way as they know that this is usually what is known as the "Levensrit" (Liferide) aka the kind of ride we all hope to be able to get if it is ever needed (although we hope it never happens).
Great reaction video. This is my daily route to work. These months (summer) the bridge is open almost every morning when I arrive there. I think they closed it sooner though. Normally it takes forever. Sometimes up to 10 minutes! Since you're watching a lot of dutch content... did you see how Dutch supporters took over Germany for the EK football? ;)
The middle of nowhere in the Netherlands...well it is all relative, since the Netherlands is the most densely populated area in Western-Europe. If there are less then a 1000 people in a 3 mile radius....it is the middle of nowhere.
"Middle of nowhere" and still only 20 minutes from a hospital.
Cool video! It started in the aeria I live nearby…and saw colleagues assisting. When police, fireworkers or ambulance are in traffic with sirens and lights, everyone needs to get himself out of the way. Fortunately people do that, I’ve never seen someone obstruct on purpose or didn’t pay attention to these vehicles. Everyone can hear the sirens so playing dumb like “o, I didn’t see it” is not possible in my opinion. If it was, then that driver should be taken his license and never get it back. Such behavior can cost a life. “What if I was in that ambulance? Would I appreciate cooperation?”
In fact such behavior can be legally punished. A good thing!!
OC = operating center. Something like a 911 center. People calling “112” will also connect to the OC. Police, fire brigade and ambulance are in the same OC. They are in contact with their colleagues on the streets.
When the officer noticed the bridge went open, he can’t contact the bridge operator by himself in that situation. So he contacted the OC and they do the rest.
18:00 somewhere here the guy mentions "OC Den Haag" you later refer to this thinking its the hospital. Good guess there is a hospital there but no.
OC essentially means the police command center. Its where they get directions from and their main communication hub. There is multiple of these in the country and this one is in the hague.
What he was saying was basically that he was angry at them for not arranging this. Its likely extra heated in the moment ofc and probably frustration. But OC is what should be making sure that the bridge is closed.
They don't have direct control over the bridges but do over a few things like certain traffic lights i think, the bridges they would have to contact other people for (they are remote controlled and guarded with cameras)
To get a drivers license we have to take actual driving lessons from a certified instructor. He/she not only teaches you how to handle the vehicle but also how to behave in traffic. It can take up to 20 or 40 lessons before one is allowed to take the exam for a license. But not after we've first taken a theoretical exam on trafic rules. That may explain why Dutch drivers differ from those in the US.
That strip along the road with a solid line is an emergency lane. You can find that in the Netherlands along the highway. You use that if you have a breakdown with your car. the police, fire brigade and ambulance are also allowed to drive there if there is an emergency. It is not a sidewalk or a footpath. And it is not a bicycle path either😉
12:22 youre right, windmills would be lower populated area but Netherlands has a crap ton of windmills.
The province in the center (it looks like an island) is fully powered by its own wind energy and even has spare.
also "low populated area" in Netherlands is still fairly populated. We are one of the highest population densities in Europe and it really doesn't get more empty then farmland. So at minimum there is still farmers living there.
Since there is no mountains there is very little land that's not in use for something. Netherlands is also one of the countries with the highest, if not the highest % arable land
Everyone pays around 160 euro a month for health insurance. That ride alone was probably 10k. Covered by the insurance.
The hospital is a long way for an emergency call....
Haha I love the sidewalk/bikelane remark. Our country is VERY small, you're in and out of the middle of nowhere within a few kilometres 😅
17:26 well. Everybody knows atleast someone that needed an ambulance. Time is super important. So Everybody(except that one a hole) give space. Its like 10 sec of my time can save a live.
That first bridge is just outside my town. What the video did not state is that there is another bridge a few hundred meters later. They often open one after the other. Because they had closed one bridge, as soon as the boat passed, for the ambulance they obviously made the boat wait and kept the other bridge down.
Imagine doing this as a young soldier, in a 4x4, in the middle of nowhere, pre-GPS era..
..man, I miss 1996
They weren't sidewalks they were 'hard shoulders' for breakdowns.
Usually the Dutch don't like cops, but this is on a millitary scale and I salute them. Well done. And you can see the Dutch respect the right of way for an ambulance. Good thing, I have been in there a cople of times... make way, for one day it will be you.....
Jps. Great video showing co-operation between emergency services. The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg are known as the Low Countries. The only “bumps” the Police motor cops reported were what we call in the UK as speed bumps, years ago the authorities called them sleeping policemen but soon became speed bumps, more politically correct.
When you come to The Netherlands you will probably arrive in Schiphol. The railway company, NS, Nederland’s Spoorwegen has a station under the main the main entrance area, their signs are yellow & blue. They have ticket machined that take credit cards that speak English. The main ticket office is a good place to enquire about multi journey tickets. There are trains to everywhere, including international to France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Denmark and London.
Getting around The Netherlands is easy with the trams, buses and the railway. It won’t take you long to find there are no real hills and mountains. There is the occasional one.
Belgium is easy to get to Brussels is few hours away, a day trip from Amsterdam is easy. No NS domestic trains have restaurant cars, the country is too small. Some of the longer distant trains have coffee trolleys.
The ambulance driver seems to have a slight Leiden or The Hague accent. Not the people that are known for the prettiest use of language (or actually, maybe, on the contrary).
"Why are they moving so slow" (reffering to the police car in front of the ambulance)
Ah, you're thinking this is all about moving the patient as fast as possible, right? An old misconception.
Great reaction mate! Also, the hair cut is on point, just saying !!
@DavidPelc, the insurance paid for the most the ambulance. But we have an own risk of 385 euro a year, in total. It means, when you spent that 385 euro, before, (for example dentist costs, or some other medical costs) the ride is totally paid by the insurance. If it is the the first time of the year, you needed a medical treatment, you get a bill at the end of the year, max 385 euro.
by the way... that very long beep [strong language] is a good example of the dutch directness
Funny thing .... 63 years ago I was born and raised in The Hague and live in a rural area now.... I've never ever seen a (high speed) ambulance being escorted by (that many) policemen ..... When that happens it will probably be because a very important person is inside the ambulance.... this never happens when 'normal' people are involved ......
Hahaha I grew up in the area this was filmed! It isn’t exactly middle of nowhere since most major cities can be reached in under an hour! However side walkes and road quality are (almost) the same everywhere in the Netherlands since they’re payed from taxes :)
under an hour on the bike ofcourse
And yet here in the uk the nhs is in such a crap state in my city norwich it took 2 hours for an ambulance to attend a guy knocked off his bicycle in a hit and run the other week.
I waited a day in London when my son was having breathing difficulties. Had to drive him to hospital and he was at deaths door, but, Engerlund and their voters, they will never learn
This makes me cry so much. No children should have a cardiac arrest. Hope the kid is alright although it had to take the long road in those conditions. Actually we have helicopters for that in Berlin and pretty sure in the Netherlands as well. Just watched at least 3 gelbe Engel (yellow angels as we call them in Germany) on flightradar24 saving peoples lives who were severely ill.
if you have never had a run in an ambulance on blues and twos ... I have once in the UK... awsome
That thing with the bridge must’ve been a human mistake. As far as I know they’re in direct communication with Rijkswaterstaat Verkeer (dept. of Infrastructure - traffic), notifying that an emergency transport is on its way.
They are automated so that is an issue with its software/with not properly being integrated with EMS services, it should've recognized the approaching EMS and give that priority.
I think this is a provinciale waterstaat bridge.
The reaseon the police officer called the hague up is because the regional headquarters for the police in that area, including leiden, is in the hague
What the flip: I was born and raised there!
Joel, have you enlisted in the Marines? That crew cut reminds me of my own childhood - 65 yrs ago. Theodore Cleaver would be proud of you. 😅
10:00 they were doing around 74.5 m/h, probably because they still have to care to those in the back (in case someone does something unexpected?)
If there is one thing we learn when taking 'driving lessons' you read it correct we have to go to a driving school, its using our mirrors constantly. Thats why most of the people react in time and move away😊at the last roundabout you can see a car from a driving school (leswagen):)
Joel... You kept saying at the end of the video, in your summing uo if the sutuation, that
"the bridge was *down* " !!
You meant, the bridge was _up_ surely?! As _that_ was the _minor_ problem - it was raised, though it would / could be a _major_ problem if the bridge operators had _not_ been able to lower it as swifly as they (fortunately) did. Well Done to all concerned during that drive to get the child safely yet swiftly to the Hospital.
I hope the child is now recovered. 🖖
those parts you revere as at sidewalks are the "vluchtstrook" or emergency lane, kind of shoulder of the road
No, I think Joel means the parallel road, which is used by tractors. Joel knows already the Dutch emergency lanes by other videos.
Ter Aar - Leiden, UMC is 12.4 miles. (20 km)
09:43 Why are they going so slow? Speed is 74.5 miles per hour (120km/ph)
Later on the speed is 80.7 mpu (130 km/ph) In the Netherlands we're taught to go to the side of the road, [and stop, especially in the city] whenever you hear the siren of the Police, Ambulance or Fire Brigade, to let them pass by.
omdat het een glijdend transport is, voor als nek of rug gebroken is of soortgelijks. dus niet te ombenullig rijden
Notice that after the bridge, there is a local police car blocking that first intersection. Note that the video has been edited, you are not watching the real-time transfer.
see the double lines on some of the streets? those are specifically to generate more room for emergency services
23:12 it was probably clipped, I thought you said it was from “Ter Apel” to “Leiden”, that’s like a 2.5 hour drive. Or did you say “Ter Aar” which would be a 25-30 minute drive.
never seen this, i even living 5km from netherlands away.. it must be really critical.
dont blame the ambulance, its the best you can do. im surprised by that.
2 motorcycles right away to clear the street, its genius. in germany we would freak out.. its never been that orginized. most of the german drivers didnt even know what to do, if a simple crash hapends .. i mean just look at the german ambulance video who stuck in traffic at the autobahn..thats so sad. and now watch this. a combination of these 2 strategies, would be awesome..
the first motorcyclists ensure that the emergency lane is clear, so that the rescue ambulance can pass through without any problems.
This only happen in very severe situations. And often with very young kids.