Driving Through A Red Light

[237SJ]

Today I was driving across a bridge when an ambulance with it's lights flashing came along in the opposite direction. It came up behind a car which had stopped for a red light at a pedestrian crossing which had a camera attached. The lady in the car went through the light to make way for the ambulance. She must have felt under pressure to do so as the ambulance did go right up her backside. I wondered what happens if the motorist gets a ticket for something like this. I googled and saw the rules etc but has this ever happened to anyone?

[bhg481]

A friend was telling us only yesterday that she'd moved into a bus lane to let an ambulance come towards her and was fined. She appealed and was told it was the ambulances job to find a way past, not hers; appeal refused.

[teacake44]

As far as I know, you are supposed to do whatever you can to make way for emergency services, but not break the law of the road, its up to the services to get past you, going over a red light is putting you and others in danger, so no she should have not gone over.

[Bazile]

If you go through a red light and you are caught on a traffic light camera , you can be done - it doesn't matter for what reason you did it

Incidentally the cameras on top of the traffic lights are not traffic light cameras for the purposes of running a red light

[TonyV]

237SJ technically an offence has been committed, but camera will have shown Ambulance on "blues and twos" and hopefully no penalty charges will ensue.
I've done the same and no letters in the post.

[Buenchico]

Here's the 'official' answer:
https://www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q699.htm

[Bazile]

Tonyv

If you went through a red light and was snapped by a traffic light camera , then you can't rely on the emergency vehicle defence .

In your case i assume that the camera was not in operation / film not reviewed - or reviewed and you were just lucky that they did not send you a penalty charge .

[ToraToraTora]

in this situation I do not move, don't care how long it takes they never let you off. It's the EV's job to get round you.

[237SJ]

I was looking at this https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/you-allowed-break-law-emergency-10382190 It must be really hard to just sit there with an ambulance or cop car up your bum though. I have noticed overseas that people tend not to move at all for ambulances - the ambulance just sits in stationary traffic along with everyone else.

[Bazile]

re Chris's link

I see that the police advice doesn't say you won't be done.
It appears you would have to argue you case and hope for the best .

Personally i wouldn't cross the line

[ummmm]

They do let you off. It might not always be the case but they do...

[Old_Geezer]

There needs to be a common sense review of the law, obviously.

[Bazile]

ummm

So , would you take the risk ?

[Old_Geezer]

I think most won't be aware of what a bunch of ×_=_£%&**$ authorities are when you choose to do the right thing for society and whomever needs the emergency vehicle.

[douglas9401]

I suppose it's easy for the general public to imagine blue-lit vehicles being driven by wild-eyed operative intent on getting where they want to go.
I'm sure their training educates them as to the behaviour of the general public caught up in an unusual situation and it's inability to simply evaporate if enough light and noise is provided.
Move out of the way if you can but remember that they're not bullying roadhogs, just letting you know they're there.

[ummmm]

Baz - yes, without a seconds thought.

[Peter Pedant]

// or cop car up your bum though.//
isnt it lawful to obey an order from a police officer to do what he instructs ( go thro a red light) ?
the thread started off as ambulances
erm the two are different

[Old_Geezer]

Human nature being what it is though, deciding to not do the right thing and stick there while an emergency vehicle is stuck behind you (siren and lights aside) is going to overwhelmingly be a force to make you give up and move for most. Just letting you know they are there, implying you should be off and get out of the way, is sufficient in itself. A bit tongue in cheek to claim otherwise, even if one can make sugar not melt in one's mouth.