So this morning I had an Ambulance approach me at a red light, three lanes of which one was a bus lane (which I was in). As it was 7am and entirely clear I pulled forward through the red light and stopped before the junction to allow the Ambulance space to pass.
Just reading and it would appear this isn’t allowed.
If I did get ticketed, would I win an appeal? I didn’t move into the path of any traffic which would have had the green light and didn’t obstruct any pedestrians as there weren’t any. Once it had passed I moved back behind the line and waited for the lights to change.
I ask as this happened on Holloway Road and it’s red hot on cameras.
Although if there was a traffic cop there to ticket you, he could have (and presumably would have) told you to move forward and let the ambulance through.
It’d be a very sadistic cop who pulled you in the circumstances you describe and I’ve certainly seen police cars waving thanks at vehicles who have pulled over the line to let them through and therefore technically broken the law.
+1 If you crossed the Stop Line on a Red Light you’ve committed an offence.
Assuming the Emergency Vehicle had blue lights flashing and that you gave way in a safe and controlled manner without hindrance to any other road user then I’d expect any camera operator or, any other Enforcement Officer to turn a blind eye.
The facts of the matter (that you made way for an Emergency Vehicle to pass in a safe and controlled manner without hindrance to any other road user) would have to be taken into consideration, however, the offence has still been committed.
I think you did the correct thing too. But if I ever heard of anyone getting a fine/prosecution for crossing a stop line at a red light in order to give way to an emergency vehicle, I’d never do that again. I think only a police officer, or a Home Office employed Traffic Warden (not a parking enforcement officer) has the legal right to give such instruction.
I thought it was more a common sense thing but after reading it would appear it is illegal even when you’re making way for an emergency vehicle. (Highway Code, Rule 219).
Just checked and it would appear there’s no cameras on those lights.
@Aceman, whilst I was searching I came across this
Yep - since I found this out I have refused to cross the stop line (when in the car) at a red light when there is an emergency vehicle behind or couple of vehicles behind with the vehicle behind me getting aggressive.
Lots of people still do move forward to let emergency vehicles through at the lights - I’ve had a few instances where I’m the only car in the lane at a red light and a police car on call stops behind me and gets aggressive like its going to ram me out of the way!!!
I think it should be up to the emergency services to respect this at a red light - keep the lights on but turn off the siren until the light goes to red&amber.
OR add an exemption, rule 219a if an emergency vehicle gets aggressive and you fear for your safety you are allowed to cross the stop line if safe to do so…
Yeah it’s very difficult this. Yesterday there were three plod cars trying to get down a solid Lea Bridge road and forcing the traffic into the bus lanes. One chap didn’t budge, kept getting beeped by the lead blues car. I would hope the beeping etc would count as being directed by a police officer and waive you of any responsibility? I don’t suppose Ambulances and Fire Engines have that same authority, as they can’t even break the speed limits? I could be totally misinformed hence clarification would be excellent.
There’s little common sense where some Laws are concerned
Classic scenario in the Daily Mail, I’d suspect Mr Lilley, and possible the driver of ‘car A’ too, got the 3 point FPN and £60.00 fine because had he just sat there and not moved the Police van would have been able to weave his way through. In fact looking at the Daily Mail’s diagram you’d be hard pressed to justify any more than just ‘car C’, the car in the nearside lane, moving.
I move over all the time in the car or bike don’t care if it breaks the law it could be someone’s life . Anybody that doesn’t hope you don’t phone for any emergency and someone just like you will not let them through.
Peopel have bene done by red light cameras for doing this. The problem is the camera will catch you, but to successfully appeal you need to prove the emergency vehicle was there.
The Highway code says ride/drive normally unless directed by a police offier or highways agency officer.
If there was a bus lane in the example given above, why didn’t the police us it as they can always use the bus lane when using blue lights?
One of the things I often do when in a bus lane when I see blue lights behind me is get out of it so the blue lights can use it unhindered.
One thing I don’t do, unless necessary to let the blue lights pass, is bloody stop! Why do 90% of car drivers think the only thing they need to do when they see blue lights in the mirror (usualy 20 feet behind as their rear observation is so poor!) is slam the brakes on even whe nstopping will block the road?
Well this is arguable whether spending 30 seconds braking/accelerating & weaving through gaps is better/worse than waiting 30 seconds behind cars for the lights to change then you have a straight take-off when lights go green and cars move off & get out of the way…
AGREED - emergency services should use bus lanes or opposite side of the road at lights if clear.
Lots of drivers see blue lights & hear the siren and panic(or something) and stop - NO - double NO if they are still quite far behind as they might be turning off before they get to where you are!!!
Something should be agreed and be part of learning to drive - I don’t know how it is now but when I was doing my test, I think on 1 driving lesson there was an ambulance behind and so I was told to indicate and pull over to the left…
Speaking as an “ambulance driver” (paramedic) we aren’t allowed to force you through red lights only police can, we should turn sirens off not to intimidate you to move and then put them on as the lights change. However if you decide to move of your own choice then the sirens go back on to alert other road users
I think we’re all agreed, even though it’s illegal to do so, the correct thing to do is to give way to Emergency Vehicles if necessary. With the proviso that this is done in a safe and controlled manner and without hindrance to any other road users.
They started out on the wrong side, plus there were a few buses stopped along it. Drivers started moving in advance of them into the lane so they couldn’t then get inside them, etc. It was a mess.
