Don't go through red lights to make way for emergency vehicles

[AlanH]

Here's an interesting one...

Driver lets police van through a red light and gets a £60 penalty - mirror.co.uk

Apparently, you are liable for a fixed penalty and three points if you cross the white line at a red light to make way for an emergency vehicle.

Quotes from the article...

Greater Manchester Casualty Reduction Partnership said: "If the lights are red you are putting yourself in danger if you go through them."

The Driving Standards Agency said Rule 219 of the Highway Code says motorists should consider oncoming emergency vehicles but comply with traffic signs.

I'll be sitting there blocking their way in future if there is a camera on the lights. Obviously in this country, compliance with traffic regulations is far more important than the smooth passage of an emergency vehicle

[DaveS]

That's completely insane! What is this country coming to.
So a police car could put blue's and two's on, you move over on a red to let him past then he can get out and book you!
You couldn't make it up.

[Whealie]

Same applies with bus lanes. I know people who have been fined for pulling into a bus lane to make way, even when the photo they were sent of them offending had an effing great fire engine in the photo.

It's insane. Most people pay as it's not worth the hassle but I reckon if you refused and made a huge fuss and contacted your MP and got the papers involved you'd get to a point where it was dropped, or at least you'd insist on a jury trial and get off.

[AlanH]

I reckon if you refused and made a huge fuss and contacted your MP and got the papers involved you'd get to a point where it was dropped, or at least you'd insist on a jury trial and get off.

That sounds far more hassle than just sitting obstructing an emergency vehicle. After all, what could possibly be more important than obeying a road sign

I've always pulled safely across the line out of the way of emergency vehicles. Having seen this, I will no longer do so if there is a camera on the junction. I'm not prepared to risk three points just because someone's house is burning down or is having a cardiac arrest.

They can sit there two-tones blaring cussing, swearing and making the w**nker sign as much as they want but unless I get a written instruction to move my vehicle that will stand up in court, I ain't budging.

[Frad]

I read in MCN last week about a police car stopping and booking a guy for having an undersize numberplate, not unsual you say

However the police car was on its way to an emergancy call where a father and daughter had fallen into a river in Wales, the police car had overtaken the biker, stopped further up the road, waited for the biker then booked him

Whilst he was writing the ticket which took 15 minutes, an Ambulance and another cop car went screaming past.

So it is even more important to do a bike for having a small numberplate than trying to save two lives, the father and daughter were pulled out of the river a few hours later, apparently the father was still holding his daughter, both were dead.

What indeed is this country coming to ????????

[Whealie]

That sounds far more hassle than just sitting obstructing an emergency vehicle. After all, what could possibly be more important than obeying a road sign

I've always pulled safely across the line out of the way of emergency vehicles. Having seen this, I will no longer do so if there is a camera on the junction. I'm not prepared to risk three points just because someone's house is burning down or is having a cardiac arrest.

They can sit there two-tones blaring cussing, swearing and making the w**nker sign as much as they want but unless I get a written instruction to move my vehicle that will stand up in court, I ain't budging.

Maybe that's what we need - all road users agreeing en masse to refuse to budge for emergency vehicles until someone with some sense make it legally binding that if you move out of the way of a n emergency vehicle into a bus lane or across a thick white line or a red light, you will not be prosecuted.

[BobA]

This just makes my blood boil.

One day, someone, somewhere, will be refusing to cross a red light and let a fire engine through to the burning house of the a$$hole that fined that poor bloke for doing the right thing!

Up the revolution! Rid this country of the leeches and people with no morals!



Now that has ruined my day!



Bob

[stageonesimmo]

just because someone's house is burning down or is having a cardiac arrest.

WOW - I didnt know that was possible - I'd better check my policy - I'm not sure I'm covered for my house having a heart attack!

I'll still move over - always have done, always will - I'll take my chances and go to court if needed - but it IS yet another sign of how petty and trivial life in this once great country has become - to think I've literally risked my life to defend it so it could come to this...............

[sean]

it just shows what complete scum work for the road safety partnerships. i would have gone to court to argue it.

[BobA]

...it IS yet another sign of how petty and trivial life in this once great country has become - to think I've literally risked my life to defend it so it could come to this...............

And that is the sad truth

They (the government) will ask you for everything, take everything (they can get their crooked hands on), but still NOT listen to public opinion or plain old common sense.

It 'kin sickens me.



Bob