Yellow ambulance headed for the Waikato

The Waikato should expect to see a new yellow ambulance on the road within the next few weeks after St John announced a change in design for all new ambulances.

“The next yellow vehicle for the Waikato region is scheduled for two week’s time and tentatively to go to Tauranga,” St John Media Relations Manager Victoria Hawkins said.

Last month St John launched their first two prototypes of the yellow ambulances which include more reflective signage, a bolder design and checkered green “battenburg” markings which are known to maximise visibility.

“Having our ambulances and other frontline vehicles yellow and with this new design, is one way we can make them safer and more visible on the road,” St John Operations Director Michael Brooke said, “We are committed to converting our fleet to yellow over the next 10 years – with around 40 new vehicles each year heading out on the road in the new yellow design.”

Studies in Europe found the new shade of yellow was the most visible to the human eye, especially in low light.

The new colour is most visible to people with colour blindness, which effects one in 12 men and one in 200 women.

“Ambulance officers have commented that the public identify the yellow vehicles more easily and give them noticeably more space on the road,” Hawkins said, “St John will introduce approximately three new yellow ambulances per month.”

Hawkins said white ambulances will continue to be used until their standard working cycle is complete, which is after their odometers reach 440,000 kilometres, at which point they are used at events.

“The new yellow vehicles will be introduced to the frontline fleet to replace those white ambulances that are moving to events.”

Another ambulance is being released in Auckland this week while Christchurch should also expect one within the next fortnight.