and you're in the left turn lane. The light is red, but the emergency vehicle is behind you to take left and flashing. All the lanes towards your right are occupied and full. Is it legal to cross the red light (by taking a left turn on red, or going forward on red) or cross the traffic to your right in front of them to allow the vehicle?
2007-01-06 13:41:24 · 13 answers · asked by slickbabe_model_03 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
I'm always confused about these situations.
2007-01-06 13:41:45 · update #1
Folks this question is for U.S folks only. California.
2007-01-06 13:49:38 · update #2
They usually take the "oncoming" lane, you could pull out, looking left, and turn right, or blow the red w/caution, and pull over right, or just sit there, they'll get around you, if not, blow the light, no cop in the world is going to give you a ticket for moving out of the way of an emergency vehicle, if he does, a judge would most likely dismiss it. JUST GET THE HELL OUT OF THE WAY !
2007-01-06 14:03:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
call the local cops and ask this question. but since it such a good question everyone wonders that . id say post your question in the papers and tell the cops you will post it and they will give you the best answer possible. so people can understand. one thing is for sure your never allowed to pass a red light even if its for an emergency vehicle! never ever. so he will tell you to make the turn of course safely . then pull asside the shoulder of the road asap. i had a similar question. and i asked the cops . loo i work from 4pm to midnight and need to be at work at 3:45. and here in my local city,church time after funeral homes are at 4pm meaning from the funeral home to the church the Cops with lights on drive at 10 kms/hrs from the funeral home to the churchto escort the casket.on a 4 lane road but noone ever dares to pass.since they leave funeral home at 3:20 and the line up is like way long and slow.i was getting late for work to often.so i asked the cop what to do .he said there is no law stating i had to stay in back but its awfully disrespectfull for the famillys. it s pretty disrespectfull for my employer on my part to get to work late everytime theres a funeral.so now i pass the parade at normal speed with my face between my legs LOL in shame. but a guys gotta do what a guy gotta do eh! . hope you find out and please let me know when you do.im curious and its a good point.good luck and happy new years!!Ken at luceken@hotmail.com
2007-01-06 13:56:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
In some states it is legal to do this....if there is an emergency vehicle behind you in such a situation and you do cross the red light in any form I doubt the police will give you a ticket, provided you don't cause another accident in the meanwhile. Always remember to use extreme caution and pay attention to oncoming traffic as well as any emergency personell trying to direct you in any way.
2007-01-06 13:53:12 · answer #3 · answered by Nikki L 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You must clear the way for the emergency vehicle. This may mean going through a red light. I've had to do it before. It feels weird, but you won't be breaking the law. Just make sure you're not driving into the path of another vehicle. Once you clear the intersection, then pull over.
Ignore the obligatory thumbs-down from my stalker, who appears to have some mental problems.
2007-01-06 17:27:50 · answer #4 · answered by Ryan R 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
The law requires you to pull over as far to the right as safely possible. The law does not allow you to disobey traffic signals. If you can't move, stay put until you can move. Emergency vehicles will go around the left side to get around lights if possible. If not, they will wait until traffic can safely move.
2016-05-23 01:26:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You *MUST* get out of thier way.
For your safety, make the right, so you're not crossing against lanes of moving trafic.
You might even be able to pull in front of the cars on the right without blocking or pulling into perpendicular trafic (pull onto the crosswalk).
2007-01-07 06:53:36 · answer #6 · answered by designer 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would take a left on red, but the emergency vehicle would probably try to manuver around you since you are stopped, moving might become a distraction and actually make it harder for the emergency vehicle to pass you.
2007-01-06 13:57:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, it's not legal to cross the opposing traffic against a red.
It's not actually legal for the emergency vehicle to run a red, either, but they're excused the transgression if they're running "lights and sirens". You, however, are not.
It's best, in the case you describe, to sit still and let the emergency vehicle drive go around you... he is better at it, and unpredictable movement by your vehicle will only serve to confuse the situation
2007-01-06 13:46:43 · answer #8 · answered by IanP 6 · 4⤊ 2⤋
You should stay where you are, the cars in the right lane should move over to the side so it can go around, if not when light goes green make turn and pull over to the side.
2007-01-06 13:49:55 · answer #9 · answered by Jody 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Just get the He11 out of the way wih out causing or being part of an accident. Standing still is not a good idea.
2007-01-06 13:46:19 · answer #10 · answered by ibeboatin 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋