Emergnecy vehicles

[Babba78]

is it legal for an emergency to vehicle to drive through red lights or on the wrong side of the road???

[paddywak]

I don't believe so. Some years ago a fire engine in our area was going through a red and hit a car causing several fatalities. If I recall correctly the driver was then prosecuted found and found guilty of causing a death by dangerous driving. I dont know if anything came off it but I saw somewhere that they were testing a system which involved radio signals altering lights to give emergency vehicles automatic "Greens"

[gina32]

if the exit is clear yes they can

[Ethel]

Emergency vehicles can drive through red lights , but only when their emergency lights and sirens are on to warn other road users to make way. Although emergency vehicles have a duty of care to other road users, other motorists are expected to give up their right of way to avoid accidents.

They can certainly use the wrong side of road in the same circumstances, and bus lanes and so on,

[paddywak]

Thats all very well Ethel, and I like most drivers I do give way, but the cross roads were the accident I refer to happened is in a dip in a built up area making it very hard to see approaching traffic untill you are virtually at the junction (hence the traffic lights) let alone flashing lights and what about somebody who is deaf, happilly driving along with a green light when he gets whacked by a speeding fire engine?

[mushroom25]

according to a friend who drives a fire truck, they are advised to treat red lights as "give way" signs.

[ChuckFickens]

regardless of if it's actually legal or not if your house was on fire and you had family stuck inside would anyone want the attending fire engine to stop at all the red lights?

they do occasionally have accidents though but (in my opinion) unless the driver is proven to have taken an totally unsafe action then that should be seen as a minor risk that has to be taken

[Ethel]

Emergency service drivers do get prosecuted for dangerous driving. This one was found not guilty:

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/ breaking-news/2007/12/20/death-crash-fireman-c leared-of-all-charges-100252-20273794/

But the simple answer to Babba's question is yes and yes.

[TWR]

If motorist use their eyes, mirrors, & common sense, they should be aware of whats going on around them.

[sddsddean]

I'll chuck my two pennyworth in! Yes, they are allowed to drive the wrong side of a keep left bollard, on the hard shoulder of a motorway (even in the wrong direction!) and exceed the speed limit. They cannot drive through a red light, but must treat it as a 'Give Way' sign. In addition, they may not drive through a 'No Entry' or ignore 'Stop' or 'Give Way' signs, may not drive down a one way street the wrong way, ignore flashing lights at level crossings (and fire stations etc) and may not cross a solid centre white line(except for the exceptions which are common to all drivers). However, the driver may exercise his/her judgement as to whether any of these exceptions should be over ruled.

[sandmaster]

Drivers of emergency vehicles may drive through red lights (treating them as give way signs as previously stated) and they may drive on the wrong side of the road if it is safe to do so (but I believe not the wrong direction on a dual carriageway). Such drivers are not indemnified if such driving causes an accident - they are fully responsible for their actions.

[sddsddean]

Agreed on adual c'way sandmaster, but they can ona motorway hard shoulder. Sounds loopy I know, but thats the rules.

[shutts763]

Emergency service vehicles have three exemptions which are:
1. Do not have to comply with red traffic lights.
2. Do not have to comply with keep left bollards.
3. Do not have to comply with speed limits.
They always have to drive with due care and attention.
So it would appear the answer to your question is yes they would be acting legally.
With reference to the previous answers they have no exemption to drive the wrong way on a motorway or dual carriageway.

[ebuzz1964]

i have a lot of resect 4 the fire service butif they run a red and kill a motorist who is running a green whos 2 blame ... i would say the fire b it not why do we have traffic lites