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.

[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!

[trishalishous]

as the PP have said, its fine to do that. If you did get a fine, the ambulance would be in the picture too, and they waive it (they did for my DH and a firetruck)

[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."

Full article

[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.

[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.

[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.

[~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.

[xXHopeXx]

Ambos have the authority to also go on the opposite side of the road, (pending safety obviously) I'm not sure where you're from, but my hubby and his colleagues often do where we are if they can see a situation like that

If it were me, and were safe to do so, I would have moved, and gotten the ambulance number/registration just in case I got a red light camera ticket or something


Sent from the land of "iSomethings" so forgive me for any spelking misstaks

[xXHopeXx]

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.

I wish they had this in NSW Kaz!! Hubby and his partner always have to find their own route and way through traffic! It'd be so much better and faster if they had this here



Sent from the land of "iSomethings" so forgive me for any spelking misstaks

[Bloom]

Really interesting hearing all the replies and the people who have had fines wiped.

I think there is a big difference between speeding / "running a red" and pulling forward into an intersection against a red, after stopping and checking that everyone has stopped and it is safe.

I think that I would "break the law" to let an ambulance through - particularly if they are honking. As Heaven said, they obviously wanted the cars to do something.

[AwesomeFoursome]

I would, I would check it was safe but I definitely would! It's someone's life on the other side, Ive been on the other side waiting for an ambulance and the thought of having a ambulance waiting at a red light because they are stuck behind someone makes me feel sick. My 1 year old niece was choking one day, she wouldn't have made it if the ambulance had to wait for anyone.

[Catastrophic]

I would and have providing it is safe to do so of course.

and you know what I would hope that if it was me waiting for the ambulance in a life threatening situation other people would do the same... THey don't have lights and sirens on for a headache - its a life threatening emergency.

[sweetpea678]

My husband is an Ambo so asked him this question for you. His answer is no you can't break the law to let a Ambo through. However he did say pulling out of the way is good but running a red light or speeding isn't. Nothing is that urgent that 30 seconds stuck at a red light is worth risking your life.