red traffic lights and emergency vehicle

surreysaver

If you see a light turning red, stop so you allow enough space for the Ambulance to get ahead of you, then they can go through themselves. The Ambulance shouldn't get right up your ar se so that they cannot pull out to drive round you.

cowbutt

The Highway Code says:

219
Emergency and Incident Support vehicles.
You should look and listen for ambulances, fire engines, police, doctors or other emergency vehicles using flashing blue, red or green lights and sirens or flashing headlights, or Highways Agency Traffic Officer and Incident Support vehicles using flashing amber lights. When one approaches do not panic. Consider the route of such a vehicle and take appropriate action to let it pass, while complying with all traffic signs. If necessary, pull to the side of the road and stop, but try to avoid stopping before the brow of a hill, a bend or narrow section of road. Do not endanger yourself, other road users or pedestrians and avoid mounting the kerb. Do not brake harshly on approach to a junction or roundabout, as a following vehicle may not have the same view as you.

Based on that, I'd try and make room, making use of the kerb if necessary. I might consider partially crossing the red light, but would try to avoid moving my vehicle completely across the line.

Markyt

paper_plane wrote: »

What a selfish lot you are. prepared to risk someones life against the very small chance that you might get three points on your licence.

That plus the 'very small chance' that I'll get smashed by an artic crossing the junction legally, i.e whose lights are on green. The very event, in fact, that the red light law is designed to prevent. I'm not convinced a pile up will help the emergency vehicle get to its destination any sooner.

sarahg1969

shandypants5 wrote: »

I hope I am never trapped behind you self centerd lot when I am moments from death traveling in an Ambulance.


Assess the situation!!

If it is SAFE for you to make room for the Ambulance, then MOVE!!!!

Think about your "livelihood" or your "licence points" later.

YOU MAY BE SAVING A LIFE!!



Oh and BTW give blood too. !!!!!!!s

While I can see where you're coming from, the fact is that you put yourself at risk of 3 points and a fine. Surely, if your sentiments were correct, then the authorities wouldn't do people for driving through a red light for an emergency vehicle?

I wouldn't do it. Sorry. Once the government says they won't fine me or take a quarter of my licence, then I will.

sarahg1969

"Some one is in need of urgent medical attention, help them if you can and argue about it later."

But what would your argument be? You are not allowed to go through a red light unless specifically instructed to by a police officer. End of.

surreysaver

And the drivers of emergency vehicles are trained to deal with these situations - a normal car driver is not.

oh_no_5

I drive for a parcel delivery firm and we are told NOT to break ANY rules or we only have ourselves to blame.

On the very few occasions when I have been faced with this dilemma I have just rolled the van over as far to the left as possible to let the emergency vehicle through.

I know a few people have been convicted for this and the emergency crews are told not to expect a vehicle to clear the junction until the lights change,but in the real world you've just got to get out the way.

If I decided to wait I would probably feel so self concious that I'd stall the van when the lights changed.

surreysaver

You shouldn't feel self-concious. If the ambulance driver puts themself in a position that someone else has to move, then they are at fault.

omelette451

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

Tell it to this chap:
http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/free/MOTORIST39S-ANGER-AT-BARMY39-ROAD.1084700.jp

As I said, we hear only about the unfortunate ones. What we don't know from that is how many people did exactly the same thing and weren't taken to court for it. Also, it is not clear in that article whether the ambulance staff submitted a report after the event - it's not unheard of for them to tell the authorities the person's action was safe and necessary, which would obviously support the defendent's case. Besides, regardless of any of this, I'd still do it - as I said, selfishness would never stop me helping save a person's life.

omelette451

flyingscotno1 wrote: »

Ambulance, police and fire do not have authority to go through flashing red lights, seen at level crossings etc. I believe even if a level crossing lights are stuck on, the police are not allowed to let anyone through, the road is shut instead until railway personnel are there.

Correct, although the signalman can authorise the police to let people through before engineers arrive, if the police agree to stay to marshal the traffic themselves. Obviously the two need to be in constant contact via the lineside telephone.