When is it permissible to drive through a red light?

Question

I think under British law, you can proceed through a red traffic signal if you are obstructing an ambulance behind you by not doing so.

I was trying to think of other situations where the law allows non-Blue light vehicles to pass through red traffic signals, any more?

Answer 1

There are certainly some interesting answers here.

In reference to English law:

There is no law that I'm aware of that says you can legally go through a red traffic signal if you would impede the progress of an emergency vehicle by not doing so. However, it would be a good defence if you were given any kind of penalty for doing so. There is also no requirement in law for you to move out of the way of emergency vehicles.

As for emergency vehicles not being allowed to cross red traffic lights, they are allowed to do so if their progress to an emergency would be delayed if they didn't do so. They do however have to be treated as 'give way' junctions to the vehicles whose signal is showing green.

Answer 2

I think there are certain circumstances as indicated in answer-es >Blocking an emergency vehicle<, on the instructions of a uniformed police officer,it would be doubtful on any other occasion, my understanding is that all, vehicles driven, are subject to the traffic signals even, emergency vehcles,police etc if, they, crash when going through a red light prosecution could be implemented .

Answer 3

Under UK law you are not allowed to proceed through red lights at all. It could be a defence at court to be moving out of the way of an emergency vehicle, but not an exemption. Even emergency vehicles are not exempt. They may only proceed through if responding to an emergency, and even then it becomes a give way to them.

Answer 4

Well now, I was in Inverness passing over this bridge which had traffic lights ahead .... totally oblivious to the fact that they were infact at red...... i spotted on the other side there was this lovely Irish pub to the left along side the river...of course being female you just kinda get lost in the scenery dont you??? you also kinda get blinkered to the fact that there is a police car coming in the opposite direction on the bridge also....... you go deaf to the fact that your partner and passenger is giving it fer ***s sake the ******y lights at red and you've just gone through...***** and so on and so on!!! and by the way his brakes don't work either on his side and no its not a good idea to exit the vehicle when the car is moving, duh!!!!!!!! Not sure if that counts as permissible or not but the police car seemed to let me off with it, he certainly did'nt about turn and chase me anyway. I did'nt get to go get a guinness either..... coulda used it for sure after the roasting I was getting while driving round the corner, think he was driving me round the bend literally, whassssss the problem!!!!

Answer 5

I know of one way that you may proceed through a red traffic light.

If the junction is being controlled by a Police Officer in Uniform.
It happens a lot when there are accidents - often due to idiots trying to beat the lights!

Answer 6

In the US, I can think of 3 instances when it would be permissible to drive through a red light: if you are part of a funeral procession, if you have been instructed by a police officer to follow and he goes through a red light, or if it's the only way you can get out of the way of emergency vehicles.

Answer 7

It's a while since I studied law so the situation may have changed but my understanding is that going through a red light is a strict liability offence meaning that it is never permissable and always an offence regardless of the circumstances. Even if you black out it's still an offence.

Answer 8

Your spot on Paul, you should move out of the way even if it means going through a red light for all emergency vehicles
and also if instructed to by the police or traffic controllers while lights are not working

Answer 9

In the UK you are never allowed to drive through a red traffic light, not even to give way to an emergency vehicle.

Answer 10

i thought like you, that for ambulances and stuff it was ok, but now i'm not sure its ever legal to be honest. a friend of mine crossed a red light because an ambulance was coming and it was a two lane road and they were obstructing it, she crossed the line literally just enough to let him thru, and got caught on the camera next to the red light.
when she appealed she was turned down and had to pay the fine....sucks doesnt it! maybe if it had been police she would have been ok, as legally you have to let them pass, but in the uk its not a legal thing to let ambulances and fire engines past, just common sense as it could be a relative of yours or your house on fire, where as to obstruct the police is a criminal offence.