Figures released following a Freedom of Information request reveal that South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) cars, ambulances, and motorcycles were involved in 148 collisions in Berkshire from April 2009 to April 2014.

The statistics also showed that SCAS vehicles, such as ambulances and motorcycles, were involved in 698 crashes across the south of England during the same period.

SCAS divisional director Phil Pimlott said: “The majority of the collisions involving our vehicles were slow manoeuvring incidents. It is very unusual for them to happen at high speed, and serious accidents are very rare.

“We ensure that staff who drive emergency vehicles receive comprehensive, advanced training for four weeks, covering practical, theory and examination elements, with the final week focusing on blue-light driving, before being assessed and deemed competent.

“When the public become aware of our presence by our position on the roads and use of sirens and lights, we would encourage them to slow down and stop in a safe and legal place so that we can safely pass.

“By members of the public using their indicators and brakes, it lets us know they are in the process of stopping.

“We teach our staff to position themselves on the road in such a way that gives maximum vision for us and for other drivers. We also teach emergency drivers to stay back from vehicles in front and give the public appropriate time to slow down and stop.”