A technical question
Discussion
I have to admit I'm a nervous driver and tend to panic when I see blues and twos. But what is the proper course of action in such instances.
ie: stopped at traffic lights and you have to go thru a red to let the emergency vehicle out.
In short - are you allowed to break the law to let these people through? I would love a definitive answer as it makes me question my judgement and I don't want a) a fine/ban/whatever or b) the guilt that I might have cost someones life.
ie: stopped at traffic lights and you have to go thru a red to let the emergency vehicle out.
In short - are you allowed to break the law to let these people through? I would love a definitive answer as it makes me question my judgement and I don't want a) a fine/ban/whatever or b) the guilt that I might have cost someones life.
Give them room if you can...if there's a red light camera then think VERY carefully before you cross that line.
Any other time, just look for somewhere safe to pull over. Whatever you do never stand on the brakes. If you give them a little room they'll find a way past, they're trained for it.
>> Edited by monkeyhanger on Tuesday 7th March 22:37
Any other time, just look for somewhere safe to pull over. Whatever you do never stand on the brakes. If you give them a little room they'll find a way past, they're trained for it.
>> Edited by monkeyhanger on Tuesday 7th March 22:37
thanks for that - nice to know where you stand and all that Look for signals too..
If you see someone on a blue light approaching from the rear, have a look to see if they're indicating.
If they want to turn left and you stop just before the junction they want, then you'll cause them more problems when they have to go around you.
I had a situation today where i was sitting at traffic lights and spotted an Ambulance approaching from a couple of hundred yards away on the other side of the lights. I could have gone long before they arrived at the junction (right turn into a hospital for them) but there was a long queue of traffic behind me. Chances are some muppet would have got in their way so i sat at the lights and let them have a clear run.
If you help them out, they almost always acknowledge you
If you see someone on a blue light approaching from the rear, have a look to see if they're indicating.
If they want to turn left and you stop just before the junction they want, then you'll cause them more problems when they have to go around you.
I had a situation today where i was sitting at traffic lights and spotted an Ambulance approaching from a couple of hundred yards away on the other side of the lights. I could have gone long before they arrived at the junction (right turn into a hospital for them) but there was a long queue of traffic behind me. Chances are some muppet would have got in their way so i sat at the lights and let them have a clear run.
If you help them out, they almost always acknowledge you
monkeyhanger said:
I had a situation today where i was sitting at traffic lights and spotted an Ambulance approaching from a couple of hundred yards away on the other side of the lights. I could have gone long before they arrived at the junction but there was a long queue of traffic behind me. Chances are some muppet would have got in their way so i sat at the lights and let them have a clear run.
If you help them out, they almost always acknowledge you
We like that, i wish there were more like you out there monkeyhanger. Amazed you didn't get beeped or suffer road rage though! Each situation should be judged on merit. PLEASE will people stop posting "stay still and don't move in case of a camera". Seconds can sometimes literally cost lives, and if it is safe to move then please do. It could be you or a loved one at the other end of that call....
Personally, i will never sit right behind traffic on a red with the two-tones going. I'll sit back, just leave the lights on, and let people sort themselves out. The last thing i want is to make someone panic, flying out into an active juction, and being t-boned. Most people tend to be very good and will sort things out. Same reason i never use hand signals to other drivers (well not on duty anyway
), i don't want a driver to misinterpret and do something silly then say "But the Policeman told me to do it!" HW
Hollywood Wheels said:
I was in a plain white Transit...i expect beeping & road rage
It cost me maybe 30 seconds...if it inconvenienced anyone else, it's just tough luck
>> Edited by monkeyhanger on Wednesday 8th March 00:03
Hollywood Wheels said:
Each situation should be judged on merit. PLEASE will people stop posting "stay still and don't move in case of a camera". Seconds can sometimes literally cost lives, and if it is safe to move then please do.
When I see the law behaving sensibly in these situations, then I shall move out of the way - while, however, I see people still in receipt of the fine, points and increased insurance costs even when facilitating the movement of emergency vehicles then I'm sorry, but I shall not be breaking any laws.
Fine mate, you stick to your guns. I hope you never need a Police Officer or emergency medical aid in a hurry, whilst someone holds up that help when it would have been perfectly safe and legal to move out the way or assist them. But hey, they'll have proved their point so that's ok....
HW
HW
littlegreenfairy said:No.
In short - are you allowed to break the law to let these people through?
However, on my driving test I did exactly this. Having informed the examiner of my intention I proceeded through a red light and pulled over to allow an ambulance through. I still passed.
Whilst not always possible, I think now that my observation skills are good enough that I would have seen the vehicle approaching in time to make way for it before being at the lights.
This was before red light cameras though, I probably would do the same but the fact is I would think twice about it.
Hollywood Wheels said:
Fine mate, you stick to your guns. I hope you never need a Police Officer or emergency medical aid in a hurry, whilst someone holds up that help when it would have been perfectly safe and legal to move out the way or assist them. But hey, they'll have proved their point so that's ok....
HW
Of course I'll move if it's legal, I never said I wouldn't. I'd move if it were illegal, so long as it were safe, but only, as I say, in a political climate that recognises when it is not in the public interest to prosecute. Is that so hard to understand? In what way is that a reprehensible point of view?
>> Edited by Einion Yrth on Wednesday 8th March 07:41
Hollywood Wheels said:
Is that so hard to understand?
Please re-read your post. You've just contradicted exactly what you originally said! And stop being so argumentative, i try and be civil here so please show me the same courtesy....
Please re-read my original post, I have contradicted nothing. I am being perfectly civil. I am being argumentative only in as much as I don't appear to agree with you.
I said:
I'm sorry, but I shall not be breaking any laws.
That phrase is the crux of my original post, and is in no way contradicted by;
I said:.
Of course I'll move if it's legal, I never said I wouldn't.
I am intrigued, where do you think I have contradicted myself? It may be that my posts could have been read differently from how I intended.
>> Edited by Einion Yrth on Wednesday 8th March 08:05
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff