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.
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.
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.
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??
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...
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
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.
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
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