Running a red light to make way for an ambulance

[DOCG]

Today I was out practicing driving (I'm a learner) and an ambulance was trying to filter between two lanes of traffic at a red light (with it's lights and siren on), I was at the front of the queue and the drivers behind honked at me and my father told me to move forward, the only way I could make room for the ambulance was by going about half a car length past the red light.

Luckily I don't think the light was fitted with a camera, but what was the correct thing to do here? And what would have happened if I got a ticket for running a red light?

[Evanivitch]

You should only cross a red light of directed by a police officer. You could be fined and have no reason to appeal if you were caught doing so without direction from police.

Same for using a bus lane.

[av185]

Depends on your conscience.

No obligation to move out of the way at all and unlikely someone would die from a few seconds longer holding up the ambulance. But they might.

If a ticket was issued for running the red light it is possible it may be waived but likely it won't irrespective of the circumstances.

[Dave Hedgehog]

DOCG said:

Today I was out practicing driving (I'm a learner) and an ambulance was trying to filter between two lanes of traffic at a red light (with it's lights and siren on), I was at the front of the queue and the drivers behind honked at me and my father told me to move forward, the only way I could make room for the ambulance was by going about half a car length past the red light.

Luckily I don't think the light was fitted with a camera, but what was the correct thing to do here? And what would have happened if I got a ticket for running a red light?

you should never break the law for an emergency service viehcle, at red lights they should stop and turn of their siren

directed by a police officer means they are directing traffic not making wka signs at you from the car behind you

[Dave Hedgehog]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btRHvQEIkcU

[DOCG]

av185 said:

Depends on your conscience.

No obligation to move out of the way at all and unlikely someone would die from a few seconds longer holding up the ambulance. But they might.

If a ticket was issued for running the red light it is possible it may be waived but likely it won't irrespective of the circumstances.

My instinct was not to move, but my father said I would have to move and the cars behind started honking, so I felt pressured. I don't think any human would consider what I did to be running a red light but cameras don't have that situational judgement.

[Dave Hedgehog]

DOCG said:

My instinct was not to move, but my father said I would have to move and the cars behind started honking, so I felt pressured. I don't think any human would consider what I did to be running a red light but cameras don't have that situational judgement.

he's is legally wrong, and if filmed etc you will be prosecuted. watch the video i uploaded

[anonymous-user]

Ambulance driver should really be looking ahead and seeing stationary traffic , most go round the opposite side of the road.


Ambulance driver at fault

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 21st April 13:16

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 21st April 13:16

[NGee]

DOCG said:

My instinct was not to move, but my father said I would have to move and the cars behind started honking, so I felt pressured. I don't think any human would consider what I did to be running a red light but cameras don't have that situational judgement.

Another classic example of why parents should never be allowed to teach their kids. Go and get proper lessons.

[DOCG]

Dave Hedgehog said:

he's is legally wrong, and if filmed etc you will be prosecuted. watch the video i uploaded

I did, I just really hope there weren't any cameras there.

[InitialDave]

DOCG said:

My instinct was not to move, but my father said I would have to move and the cars behind started honking, so I felt pressured. I don't think any human would consider what I did to be running a red light but cameras don't have that situational judgement.

You are correct, and your Dad is not.

I think it should be permitted to move past a red light to let an emergency vehicle past, but it isn't, and there's been enough cases of tickets for it being upheld to show that it's not an oversight, it's definitely how those who make the rules intend things to work.

[LosingGrip]

Iwantafusca said:

Ambulance driver should really be looking ahead and seeing stationary traffic , most go round the opposite side of the road.

Not always possible, however no emergency vehicle should force someone to run a red light. Speed or do anything illegal. Poor driving by the ambulance driver.

That being said...I’ve gone through a red light. I’ve sped up to find somewhere safe to pull over. Would I do it at a light with a camera? Nope not a chance.

[Dave Hedgehog]

DOCG said:

Dave Hedgehog said:

he's is legally wrong, and if filmed etc you will be prosecuted. watch the video i uploaded

I did, I just really hope there weren't any cameras there.

they have 14 days from the offence to notify the viehcle reg keeper by post

[98elise]

Evanivitch said:

You should only cross a red light of directed by a police officer. You could be fined and have no reason to appeal if you were caught doing so without direction from police.

Same for using a bus lane.

Legally yes, but most people will try to get out of the way of an ambulance or other emergency vehicle.

[Evanivitch]

98elise said:

Evanivitch said:

You should only cross a red light of directed by a police officer. You could be fined and have no reason to appeal if you were caught doing so without direction from police.

Same for using a bus lane.

Legally yes, but most people will try to get out of the way of an ambulance or other emergency vehicle.

And there's a red light for a reason. You shouldn't create another emergency by making way for an emergency vehicle. That's just stupid.

[Dave Hedgehog]

98elise said:

Legally yes, but most people will try to get out of the way of an ambulance or other emergency vehicle.

almost never happens in london now, used to be common place, but so many people have picked up points for it

[DOCG]

Evanivitch said:

And there's a red light for a reason. You shouldn't create another emergency by making way for an emergency vehicle. That's just stupid.

Create another emergency?

[anonymous-user]

3. Move into the opposing lane and approach the junction slowly. (Fig 5)
This should ensure that the emergency response driver does not cause the queuing traffic to drive into the junction against the red lights.

[Evanivitch]

DOCG said:

Evanivitch said:

And there's a red light for a reason. You shouldn't create another emergency by making way for an emergency vehicle. That's just stupid.

Create another emergency?

Why do you think there's a red light? Other cars and road users aren't expecting you to cross it. You can't account for whether they've acknowledged the emergency vehicle.

[rog007]

Added to the official law; first rule of first aid/first response is to not become a casualty yourself.

Regardless of any good intentions, doing something that could endanger yourself or others, one could create a worse outcome than the one you were trying to avoid.