FOI 25-380 SAS Vehicle Usage
Freedom of Information Request
- Reference
- FOI 25-380 SAS Vehicle Usage
- Request Date
- 01 Sep 2025
- Response Date
- 24 Sep 2025
- Information Requested
Are Scottish Ambulance Service personnel insured to convey family members within unmarked SAS vehicles fitted with emergency light bars whilst they are on duty in full uniform with an active radio?
- Response
The Scottish Ambulance Service does not hold any policies or guidance on the scenario you have described above. It is for this reason we have applied section 17 of the Freedom of Information Scotland Act 2002, as information not held.
Scottish Ambulance staff are expected to comply with the Safe Vehicle Standard when carrying passengers in any Scottish Ambulance Service Vehicle. Section 10.0 of the policy states the following: -
10.0 Passengers and Vehicle Usage
In general, there are no restrictions on transporting passengers other than hitchhikers, who should not be carried. However, at no time must the seating capacity of the vehicle be exceeded, and passengers must not be carried for hire or reward. The vehicle must never be over laden or used for a purpose for which it was not designed.
The driver is responsible for ensuring that:
- The maximum seating capacity for the vehicle is not exceeded.
- All passengers must have their own seat or be secured on a stretcher/incubator/child seat.
- All passengers must be seated when the vehicle is moving.
- The weight of any load carried is not excessive for the type of vehicle used.
- All passengers wear seat belts.
- No one smokes in or on the vehicle.
- Any required paperwork is completed.
Any concerns about Scottish Ambulance Service staff misusing vehicles can be raised with our Feedback team, who will assign this to a manger to investigate. - Giving us Feedback
