Can you break the road rules for an ambulance with sirens on?

[Bloom]

A few days ago I had an interesting experience. I'll try to explain it as clearly as I can but the detail doesn't matter so much as the principle.

I was at a set of traffic lights when an ambulance with sirens and lights on approached from the opposite direction. The lights were at red for it's flow of traffic. However, it was stuck behind cars in both lanes and they couldn't pull to the side. The only way for the ambulance to get forward and through was for the at least one of the cars to pull into the intersection (against a red light). They could very safely turn left and everyone at the traffic lights had stopped (including those on the green). However, no one moved! I tried to wave the cars forward, but they didn't seem me. The ambulance beeped its' horn and still no one moved. Eventually the lights changed to green and then one car moved forward and pulled over to the left and let the ambulance through.

It wasn't a long delay, but it got me thinking. I would have definitely moved forward, even against a red light or if it meant ending up in the middle of the intersection (as long as it is safe and you can see that everyone had stopped etc).

So is it okay to break the road rules to let the ambulance through? I would have thought you'd never get booked, as long as you didn't do something completely reckless.

What do you think? Have you witnessed anything like this or do people normally let ambulances through?

[Heaven]

I don't know really but I would think it's ok. And obviously the ambulance did too because they were beeping.

[kelebek]

I don't drive but believe it would be legal as long as you didn't cause an accident. So in the incident you described those cars with the green light stopped so the the car could move out of the way.
I believe there are laws about stopping/moving etc... for emergency vehicles and believe this scenario would be covered by that.


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[diannescruffy]

I've wondered this too, saw a similar scenario to you where the ambulance ended up going over an embankment because the cars in front wouldn't move. I'm pretty sure it's not against the law to make way for emergency vehicles if it is safe.

Regards,
Dianne

[Phteven]

If you're prepared to cop a fine.
The legislation in most states says that you're required to ignore other traffic rules if it is safe to do so. The emphasis is on the 'safe to do so' so pulling over into a no stopping zone or bus lane is generally safe. Running a red is not.

Traffic Support Superintendent Mark Fairney said Mr MacDonald did not have a specific exemption, as emergency vehicles have (police, fire and ambulance), and so did not have any legal standing in disobeying the traffic light.

"Motorists have an obligation to give way to emergency vehicles but they also have an obligation to drive with due care and abide by the traffic laws," Mr Fairney said. "The driver in these circumstances would have a series of different options they could have considered.

"Disobeying the red traffic light is fraught with danger.

"A better option would be to wait until the traffic light changes to green and then provide a safe passage for the ambulance by moving out of its path in the safest way possible."

SA Ambulance Service chief executive Ray Creen agreed motorists should never risk their safety to accommodate ambulances.

"Whilst it was vital motorists do their very best to make a clear passage for an emergency vehicle driving with lights and sirens, we do not encourage motorists to break the law to get out of our way," he said.

"This includes driving at excessive speeds or running a red light. These are obviously dangerous things to do as they put both the driver and other motorists at risk."

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[Rowellen]

This exact situation has happened to me with a fire truck. I was stopped at the red when a fire truck came up behind me. I was only 18 & had no idea what to do. I panicked for a moment before the truck beeped at me & I ended up pulling into the intersection and moving as far left as I could so the truck could get past. Like in your case, all traffic was stopped so it was safe. The bulk line was well back from the intersection & there was a traffic island to the left. Also it was a T intersection so no traffic could have come from the right. so it was the only thing to do. I think it would be a case by case basis. Every situation would be different.

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

Nope. I've seen ambulances over here drive over on the wrong side of the road to get through an intersection with lights, or go to the slip lane and then continue into the intersection. But if you get flashed going through a red light, you can't fight it by saying you moved for an emergency vehicle.

[Amy_jellybean]

I had this a few months ago. I was sitting at a set of traffic lights and a fire truck with lights and sirens came up behind me so I had to move into the intersection on a red light. I was snapped by the red light camera (as did about 3 other cars as it was peak hour). I got the fine and disputed it and it was cleared.

[Diamond75]

I can't see the problem providing you aren't putting yourself/others in danger. Although I guess the person may have just panicked and didn't know what to do.

[Sagres]

I don't think it is legal to enter the intersection, but I think if you did do so and member of the police witnessed it you would would be pretty darn unlucky if they actually gave you a fine for it, I would have thought more often that not they would let it slide or perhaps give a friendly warning??

[Fleur]

I agree with Sagres, I don't think it is legal but I've seen it happen. I've done it myself, when all traffic was stopped and the car in front of me moved forwards into the intersection; I moved ahead slightly and to the left so they could pass.

I guess if you make it legal though you open it up for people to be stupid about it and use the excuse that they were moving for an emergency vehicle...

[Floweryfields]

I think you should do whatever is required to make space for emergency services- I once was required to mount the gutter and go onto the footpath!

[~Raven~]

I would move out of the way. The ambulance is honking the horn for a damn good reason and I'd hate to think that I was the reason someone didn't make it

If you get snapped by a red light camera you can challenge it. DH has and had it removed

[Miss.September]

I think it's another one of those grey areas. If I was in that situation, I'd probably get out of the way provided it was safe.

DH got caught like that once on a freeway where the two left lanes were bumper to bumper (two lanes turning off) and the right lane was free. A police car came up behind him, lights and sirens going and DH floored it until he found a break in the traffic where he could slip in. The police car pulled up beside him, tooted and waved and then continued on their way. But I reckon he took a pretty big risk in doing it, but the police in the car were obviously grateful.

[UntoldAngel]

Hmm I had to drive above the speed limit the other day to allow a police car through, on a busy highway over the Easter long weekend so it'll be interesting to see if I receive a fine

[Kazbah]

Nope. You can't break the road rules. Speeding in front of an ambulance is also bad (one of my pet peeves!) and is more likely to cause the drivers more angst than not. Pretty much if you run a red, then there's a probability of getting hit and diverting that emergency vehicle from where it was already going. When the drivers move at lights & sirens, they have had training and they also have a trained "spotter" who tells them where the breaks are in the traffic etc - the driver is pretty much reliant on his/her spotter to make it to the destination safely.

[lilima]

But they have no spotter if that person is jockeying in the back with a patient on the way to hossy.
Just do what is safe.
Look around you very carefully before you move. Others may not even know there is an emergency vehicle there.

[~clover~]

I've seen ambo's etc cross to the other side of the road as well, but if they can't I don't know. I've never been in that situation to know what I'd do..

I personally would not speed though. I don't understand how you'd need too, but again, never been in the situation.