Second fatal car accident involving a child: is there a problem with police driver training?

Priority driving – driving at speed with sirens and blue lights while responding to an emergency call – is not part of basic training, Steve Margodt, director of the West Flemish police academy, told Radio 1’s De ochtend.

“We lack the time, space and budget to provide thorough driver training as part of the training programme for inspectors,” he said.

Code of ethics

“They do learn the theory, of course. That covers legal provisions. When are you allowed to drive with priority? What is definitely not allowed? The code of ethics is also covered. It states that they must try to avoid unnecessary risks at all times, that they must bear proportionality in mind, and that they must check whether everything is legal. We also give them case studies.”

There are always two officers in a vehicle, so they have four eyes, says Margodt. “The second person acts as a co-pilot. They have to guide the driver, indicate where to slow down, and point out anything that is happening. They both have equally important roles.”

What is and isn't allowed when driving with priority?

The rules are laid down in Article 37 of the Highway Code. This states that the driver of a priority vehicle does not have to comply with the regulations, though there are some exceptions.

First and foremost, a driver must always have their flashing lights and siren on. Officers must constantly weigh up the need to drive faster against safety. There are few restrictions on what is allowed.

Returning to the accident in Antwerp that killed nine-year-old Jidel on Wednesday. What we know now is that he was crossing the road at a pedestrian crossing on his bike. A car had stopped in front of the crossing – whether to let the boy cross or to pull over for the police vehicle is not yet clear. 

Safe to proceed?

At that moment, the police van passed on the left and hit the boy. He was thrown dozens of metres away and despite attempts to revive him, he died at the scene.

In principle, drivers of priority vehicles are not required to stop at a zebra crossing, although they must slow down and check whether it is safe to proceed, Margodt explains. This is especially important if they are overtaking on the left, which appears to have been the case yesterday.

Further investigation is taking place to determine exactly how the accident happened and how fast the officers were driving at the time of the collision. 

What about practical training?

“After their training, they have a six-month probationary period,” Margodt says. “We then provide a three-day course in which they complete a car control programme. After that, they are reasonably well informed about how to drive with priority.”

Practice varies from one academy to another, however.

One day on the road isn't much, is it? “It’s nothing,” Margodt says. “It’s similar in other safety professions such as paramedics or firefighters. People often return for training a few times during their career, but it’s up to the force to decide whether they come back.”

Longer training

The Antwerp force has been committed to a priority driving course for many years. In principle, every employee who has to drive with priority receives this additional training.

So why is so little time devoted to it in general? Margodt: “Everyone who joins already has a driving licence, has already been on the road and can drive a car. That’s the difference between this and, for example, handling a service weapon.”

Essentially, the training is too short to cover all those skills. Margodt has been pushing for longer training for some time.