red lights and emergancy services?

Question

outside where i work there is traffic lights. i was just out there havinf a ciggerette and the lights were red, an ambulance wanted to get past but none of the cars moved till the lights went green. are you alowed to go through red lights for emergancy services if the conditions are safe to do so?

i mean are the cars alowed through to give way to the ambulance. just outside the cars didnt move and the ambulance was stuck behind them

Answer 1

Easy answer! Yes, you are required to give way in all instances to an emergency vehicle using it's lights/sirens *but* only if it is safe to do so. Emergency vehicles are under no obligation to turn their sirens off and wait for the lights to change -in fact doing so could leave a crew open to charges of failing to respond to a life threatening situation in a timely manner.
If you get snapped by a red light camera then just appeal (the emergency vehicle will be in the photo anyway.)
Where a vehicle enters a red light to give way to me, either my partner or I note the license plate and submit it to dispatch - makes it easier for the driver if he does get a ticket.
Mind you, I also note the details of vehicles that made no attempt to give way and they get a ticket that sticks!

Answer 2

I would assume you can as long as you are clearly doing it for the right reason, and do so safely. Thus, inching forwards and towards the pavement = good, zooming off through the lights = bad. I think as long as you did not plough into people crossing, or drive away you should be fine, but if you move out of the ambulance's way and then keep driving, that's not. You kinda have to move a little and then stay put until the lights turn back to green.

I would have moved in the case you mentioned.

Answer 3

Well it all depends on what the code is. The dealer is not the only place that can reset the light, try call a couple of VW/Audi independent shops and ask if the have a VAG tool they can check the car with. It could be any thing from a faulty wire to a bad control unit and in most cases universal readers do not do as good a job as the VAG tool. That car has more than just one sensor however if one is bad it can not be reprogrammed only replaced.

Answer 4

I have heard this before the ones that have cameras on them to flash to see if anyone has past the line. It has happened before to someone who went over the line for an ambulance to pass and the camera flashed the car and the the driver was fined even though protested an ambulance wanted to pass.

Answer 5

I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU MEAN AND I WOULD SAY THIS THE EMERGENCY SERVICES MUST BE GIVEN PREFERENCE AND IF THERE IS NO WAY TO GIVE THAT EXCEPT GOING OVER THE RED LIGHTS THEN NO WAY THE POLICE WOULD DO YOU IF THEY HAPPENED TO BE AROUND THAT IS SO AS SELFISH AS IT IS THE AMBULANCE MUST WAIT SOME ONE WILL COME UP WITH AN IDEA SOME WHEN SO THAT POSITION DOES NOT ARISE

Answer 6

No you are not, and people have been prosecuted for doing this. When an emergency vehicle approaches red ights and cannot get through the traffic it should switch off its siren until the traffic starts moving.

Answer 7

Not sure about cars.ambulances are allowed to go through a red light & the cars should have give way.

Answer 8

emergency services with lights and sirens on should always be allowed through

Answer 9

No,,you are not allowed..
only when its green..
but the traffic should change to green to pass faster.
now most are automatic lights..sorry

Answer 10

I thought you were!!..(being an emergency vehicle of course!)