red traffic lights and emergency vehicle

jackieb

I thought emergency vehicles had a device of some sort that made the lights turn green. Did I dream this or is it an urban myth?

Or is it a gizmo that turn all the lights red?

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

I think you've been watching too many James Bond films.

Markyt

jackieb wrote: »

I thought emergency vehicles had a device of some sort that made the lights turn green. Did I dream this or is it an urban myth?

It's been used elswhere. I think we have only trialled it in a few vehicles.

http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2008/09/23/2371818.htm

harveybobbles

Surely if a car is snapped by a camera going thru a red light, which then snapped a 999 ve-hickle going thru - you'd hope the nugget in the ticketing office would put two and two together and bin the ticket for the car that moved out of the way...

Markyt

harveybobbles wrote: »

Surely if a car is snapped by a camera going thru a red light, which then snapped a 999 ve-hickle going thru - you'd hope the nugget in the ticketing office would put two and two together and bin the ticket for the car that moved out of the way...

If only that actually happened ...

wannabemedic

harveybobbles wrote: »

Surely if a car is snapped by a camera going thru a red light, which then snapped a 999 ve-hickle going thru - you'd hope the nugget in the ticketing office would put two and two together and bin the ticket for the car that moved out of the way...

I contaced my local scamera office and asked them about moving out of the way for emergency vehicles. Apparently, although they are sympathetic, they have no powers to rescind anything. Only when directed by a police officer can you go through a red light. However they wouldn't clarify whether it needs to be a uniformed police officer actually waving you through at the junction (i.e. in view of a red light camera) or whether it also applies if there's a police vehicle behind you trying to get through.

It really hurts to say it but I would hold up an ambulance at a red light rather than break the law and be penalised for it. The law needs to change.

gaz_jones

omelette451 wrote: »

Really? Are you really saying that police and the courts wouldn't be at all lenient about it, even if the ambulance driver submitted a report saying it was safe and the action was necessary? I'm sorry but I just don't buy that.

I'm afriad that is the case. If you search google you'll find lots of cases of people being given points for crossing the red light line. Even when the ambulance driver etc... has said to the judge that it was to aid the ambulance. Stupid law!

sparky7

jackieb wrote: »

I thought emergency vehicles had a device of some sort that made the lights turn green. Did I dream this or is it an urban myth?

Or is it a gizmo that turn all the lights red?

http://www.mirtunit.com/order_agreed.htm

DCodd

BikerEd wrote: »

Read this - http://www.freewheelers.org.uk/index.php/news/news-archive/31-reacting-to-emergency-vehicles - it has some common sense advice published by the IAM and the emergency services.

I ride a bike fitted with blue lights and sirens which I use in emergency situations to clear a path through heavy traffic. I am trained in what to do approaching any hazard while on blues & twos and I have a legal exemption to go through red lights and to the right of a keep left bollard. So if necessary I can go through a set of traffic lights by going over to the other side of the road if I think it is safe to do so. The biggest problem I have is people who react unpredictably e.g. those who panic. There is a balance in an emergency between getting to an emergency quickly and getting there safely. I would much rather people leave the risk taking to me and not put themselves into situations which could cause an accident and possibly another emergency. Read the article and think!

Personally I think THE ABOVE is the definative answer! Thanks BikerED:T

OxJak

cowbutt wrote: »

The Highway Code says:

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.

To me the bit I've highlighted in red says it all. The law is the a$$ here, we're damned if we do and damned if we don't. As other posters have said, it's up to the driver of the emergency vehicle to make his way past safely, and panicking drivers make things worse. I always try and make my intentions very clear to other drivers and to the ambulance/fire engine/police car, eg if I'm pulling over, I'll signal and pull over gently, rather than just slam on the brakes and veer left.