Is it legal for emergency services to jump red lights?

Question

Whether a police car, ambulance or fire engine, if they are using their siren and/or flashing lights would they get a ticket for jumping the lights?

Answer 1

We get issued with tickets the same as anyone else, we're not above the law.

However, if we show that our actions were conducted in the course of our duty and within our relevant driving authority (not all officers can drive with lights and sirens) then the ticket is revoked.

Also bear in mind that an officer doesn't have to use lights and sirens when jumping lights but its best practice to do so. However, when doing so, the junction has to be treated as a give way for users crossing on green lights.

Answer 2

Yes.

As long as an emergency vehicle has it's red and blue lights actively flashing while it goes through any intersection, all other traffic is supposed to give it the right of way.

Fact is, though, if there is a life- or limb-saving emergency involved, anybody can drive through a red-light, and even if you wind up getting a ticket, you go to court, and provide evidence of the emergency, and no judge in the world would find a person guilty enough to impose any kind of penalty like a fine.

Vehicles with red and or blue flashing lights on top are simply the kinds of vehicles that have been prepared to become just that much more conspicuous so that in such an emergency they will be just that much less likely to get into a collision while crossing against a red light at some intersection.

Which is what red and blue flashing lights are all about, in the first place.

However, they are NOT supposed to use theri flashing lights and sirens unless there is an actual emergency for them to be driving to.

If some ambulance driver just doesn't like the traffic between him and his favorite lunch spot, and he turns on his lights to make others let him get there faster, he CAN get a very big huge ticket for abusing his emergency lights.

Answer 3

No, why on Earth would they? That is the purpose of the lights and siren in the first place. So that when they go through red lights and high traffic areas people can see them and stop to let them go by. Theoretically, they never run red lights because they are always on duty. If it is not an emergency, it is probably illegal, but good luck proving they weren't in the middle of running to a call.

Answer 4

Some traffic lights have a pre-emtive device which the emergency vehicles can activate with a radio. This turns all lights red except the one they are approaching.
If these aren't fitted the emergency vehicle still has right of way as by law you are supposed to pull in and wait if you hear sirens and see the lights behind you, or when approaching junctions whether light controlled or not. If it is light controlled you should still stop, whatever colour the light is showing.
The driver of the Emergency vehicle is however responsible for making sure that it is safe to go across the junction. He would not get fined for running the light, but would face charges if by doing so he was involved in an accident.

Answer 5

Fire brigade, ambulance and any vehicle being
used for police purposes are allowed to pass through red lights if observance would hinder the use of the vehicle for the
purpose for which it was being used on that occasion. Any occasion where this occurs must be fully justifiable.

When responding with lights and sirens any red lights should be treated with the utmost care. Aim to stop and look before moving off. Obviously some junctions have a good view on approach. Despite this you should still treat them with caution.

Answer 6

I can only reply in relation to the police but if not the same it will be very similar for all blue light responders.

There are exceptions in law that allow the police not to comply with traffic signals or the speed limit.

In reality this exception exists at all times even without blue lights on or when responding to a non emergency call. The law simply states 'for a police purpose'. This is what allows for police to be trained on 'real' roads when not responding to calls.

However...... The risk involved in exceeding the speed limit and not complying with traffic signals results in officers being told when they can and cant 'blue light'. If you 'blue light' without good reason then despite the exception in law you may still be disciplined.

Its also worth noting that despite the exceptions allowed emergency drivers are still expected to drive to a safe standard. i.e. red lights should be treated as give way. They can still be prosecuted with dangerous driving!

Answer 7

Any red light is treated as a give way (as stated by a couple of others). Only if the way is clear and it is safe to do so will an emergency vehicle cross through the lights, this would only happen when running on Blues.

Answer 8

Emergency vehicles have Home Office dispensation to regard red traffic lights as Give Way signs in cases of emergency.

If, in the event of doing so, an accident occurs, they are as liable as any other motorist would be in that situation. The fact that they were on an urgent call would not be accepted as a line of defence.

In the UK, there are no magic switches that change the lights, they were suggested and trialed years ago but found to be ineffective.

Answer 9

Not only is it legal, your failure to yield is grounds for a traffic summons, a moving violation. Yes, emergency vehicles have to operate with "due Regard" meaning they can't drive right through at 100 MPH. They have to slow down or stop and prodede only when safe to do so.
For the record, here in NYS, as it is in many states, police vehicles do not need lights/sirens on to break the traffic laws, like passing a red signal. Also, fire trucks can use lights and sirens when returning from an alarm (going back to fire house) this is allowed so that they can return to their response area in a timely manner. If another alarm comes in, they need to be in the area. Unlike the police, who have many cars available, their is usally only one fire truck for a given area and if it is gone, well.... So they allow them to get back as quickly as possible. In theory though, they do not do it, unless they are traveling a great distance, like here in NYC where they may be relocating halfway accross the city.

Answer 10

An emergency vehicle has the right under law to treat red lights as "Give way" signs when on route to an emergency with lights and/or Sirens going...
They are NOT given tickets for this for obvious reasons..