Driver issued Redlight Ticket making way for 999 van

mrg2003

[quote="GerryC"]So this doesn't come under that catch-all rule about breaking road law that it's OK if you do it under the instruction of a Police Officer?

Of course, if you stay still, you'll get done for obstructing a officer from doing his duty etc. Twisted Evil

[/quote]

Utter rubbish. I know you have a smiley, but some people here will try and use this as a defence.

I suggest you re-read the highway code, that tells you the proper behaviour at traffic lights, and with regard to emergency service vehicles.
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suziedog · Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 8:13 am Post subject:

My advice regarding this issue would be to let the matter go before the magistrates court and ensure that plenty of local press and wider media are aware and present in the courtroom.

This like so many other incidents is about common sense or rather the lack of it being applied instead of the hounding of motorists to make the government richer.

Does get me wrong I am all in favor of road safety as a retired Police officer. The trouble is the whole system of traffic management and in particular speed enforcement is corrupt and morally wrong.

In Staffordshire where I live you can witness mobile speed camera vans operating every day - no not near schools or busy built up areas where they should be, the place you will find them is on country roads usually tucked away on grass verges on down gradients where they are likely to get a hat full of unsuspecting motorists to help top up the money making racket that they call road safety. Shame on them!

Sorry to go slightly off topic but it all smacks of the same old attitude of stuff the motorist.
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stuartb · Occasional Visitor Joined: Oct 25, 2005 Posts: 43

Highway Code 2007 rule 219: "...take approprirate action to let it pass, while complying with all traffic signs...Do not endanger yourself , other road users..."

How would you all be reacting if by entering the junction the driver was then in collision with a vehicle on the crossing road? The rules are clear and thought out for a reason. That said, I fully agree that discreton should be used and the driver certainly shouldn't receive points or a fine.

The advertising campaign about emergency vehicles referred to earlier was actually carefully worded and IIRC said something like "don't panic and let us do the hard work".

I agree with sentiments regarding speed cameras, but surely red-light cameras are not in the same category? Speeding is not inherently unsafe (inappropriate speed is). Jumping a red is always dangerous.

Allan_whoops · Frequent Visitor Joined: Feb 18, 2006 Posts: 369

The Emergency Workers (Obstruction) Act 2006 covers this in that it is an offence to hinder or obstruct an emergency vehicle with a maximum fine of £5,000. However it is a grey area.

PS The police and local authority do not get the revenue. Which is why Swindon are dumping their Gatsos and hopefully the rest.

M8TJT · Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 4:50 pm Post subject:

AliOnHols · Pocket GPS Verifier Joined: Oct 15, 2008 Posts: 1940

I'm sure that I have read or heard somewhere, possibly so long ago that it's no longer true, that it is illegal for police and other emergency vehicles to pass traffic lights set at red. They do so at their discretion because it is in the public interest and, consequently, we "forgive" them.

So, if my memory does serve me well and if it is illegal for them, it's sure going to be illegal for us.

Perhaps emergency personnel should be advised to switch off the Blues and Two's when it is obvious that a member of the public is in danger of unwittingly committing a crime, such as mounting a kerb or passing red lights, when all we really want to do is assist by getting out of their way PDQ.
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simber71 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Oct 28, 2006 Posts: 2

When driving in Surrey a few years back, I was in a similar situation and didn't move because I would go into a controlled junction and one of the police cars chasing this other driver stopped and instructed me to pull over on the left when the lights changed to green.

I was issued with a producer for not having my car documents on me and was informed that I was being reported for obstructing police in the line of duty by not clearing the way on the country lane junction.

I reported the incident to my local police station when I got home along with the producer and my documents and only after several phone calls and getting a different division involved, were the charges dropped.

There needs to be a clear guide for motorists and no recourse for clearing such junctions in these circumstances. I suffered through stress with it all and to this day dread being put in that situation again.

Border_Collie · Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 5:28 pm Post subject:

JimmyTheHand · Frequent Visitor Joined: Apr 16, 2005 Posts: 386

irishkiwi · Occasional Visitor Joined: Aug 12, 2005 Posts: 28

Its really simple - if you are ever caught in that position. Don't move your car over the line- if the cops etc. gesture at you to move - or an ambulance or fire engine, get out of your car and point at the red light camera.
Really easy.

aj2052 · Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 1:20 am Post subject:

A blues and twos at your nether region should be considered an instruction to iether stop or go in the same way that a police vehicle will sit on your tail for a moving offence with blues and twos wailing, if you do not stop then you will be done for failing to stop,
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bigfatjohn · Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 5:15 am Post subject:

I jump red lights all the time.

I have to, otherwise I could be sitting there all night because my bike, big though it is, is mostly aluminium and plastic and sometimes doesn't trigger the induction loops in the road.

I usually give it five minutes then, if no other traffic is about, move off carefully.

wetsleet · Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 10:28 am Post subject:

AliOnHols · Pocket GPS Verifier Joined: Oct 15, 2008 Posts: 1940

What chances of appeal would he have if the police van was not also in the photo?

What would happen if he went through the red light to let the police van pass, but by the time the van got to the lights they had changed to green, there would be no evidence to support his claim.

Like this driver, I would have probably gone through the red light to let the police pass and I probably still would if it happened to me tomorrow. But it does open up a dilema. I await the result of his appeal with interest.
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Paul0161 · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 22, 2006 Posts: 2

Next time that they are at a red light and an emergency vehicle is behind them, sirens blazing, someone who has read this story, may sit there until the light goes green to avoid prosecution. This could cost lives. Because a clerk in the ticket office was unable to use his or her common sense..!

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