IN/0327

Demand for traffic law change
By Aeneas Bonner

THE government came under pressure from health workers yesterday to change traffic laws to protect drivers of emergency vehicles involved in accidents.
The calls came following the conviction of an ambulance driver, who attended Omagh bomb victims, whose ambulance struck a vehicle on his way to hospital killing the driver.
Unison deputy regional secretary, Patricia McKeown, spoke of her concern yesterday that the first prosecution to arise from the Omagh bomb had been "against a man on a mission of mercy".
"The death of a patient in an ambulance is an enormous tragedy made all the more poignant by the horror which gave rise to the casualty in the first place," she said.
"But yesterday's court judgment does seem to recognise that a different set of rules need to be applied to people who try to save life."
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service also called yesterday for a change in the law to help ease the pressure on its drivers.
Director of operations Kenny McMahon said it was the first time ambulance drivers were confronted with this situation and said they would appreciate any change in legislation.
"Any change that benefits both drivers and patients would of course be welcomed, although it should not be to the detriment of the public," he said.
James Entwhistle (64) from Enniskillen was fined £750 on Thursday after pleading guilty to the death, by dangerous driving, of Newtownards man Gary White.
His ambulance had been carrying a Spanish child injured in the Omagh bombing to the Ulster hospital at Dundonald when it went through a red light and struck Mr White's car.
Ms McKeown called yesterday for new regulations to be introduced to recognise the special circumstances and trauma associated with emergency service drivers.
"Current laws place ambulance staff in the same category as reckless, dangerous or drunken drivers. But our ambulance personnel are public servants whose sole mission is saving life," she said.
"Unison is not arguing that emergency services are above the law but we are saying clearly that new rules need to apply."
Mr Entwhistle had been on duty for more than 27 hours following the bombing and the family of Mr White - a 37-year-old Belfast city council employee - did not support the prosecution.
His widow Elaine said she was glad the ambulance driver had pleaded guilty but expressed relief that he was not handed down a heavier sentence.
"I am also very glad that the driver was not sent to prison or banned from driving, which would mean him not being able to do his job," she said.
"I do feel that he was just trying to do his job in very hard circumstances."