Quote:
Gixxer wrote:
I must admit to not having read the Highway Code for more years than I care to remember, but I was always under the impression that it was my duty as a road user to ensure that an emergency vehicle gets past me as safely as possible with minimal delay.
I don't remember seeing any law which says I have to make any effort to get out of the way of any emergency vehicle. It would be nice to know for sure though.
Big Tone wrote:
Just to throw something else in the pot; I mentioned a while ago that where I work, (my base is amongst a huge hospital complex), I have a view of some traffic lights and regularly see drivers going across on red to make space for the ambulances.
I was told here on SS that it is still nonetheless illegal to do this and that you could get prosecuted if they so choose.
With this in mind, I’m not sure PC jobsworth couldn’t prosecute you for other indiscretions too, like driving up on the pavement for instance which is the other thing I see them do.
Yes, both are illegal and I won't be doing either to get out of the way of any police. In fact I won't break any law for them. I usually slow down to make sure I'm not "speeding" and let them sit there, it's not up to me to make any effort get out of their way. They get in our way far too often and they're probably just going to restrict someone. I don't support that.
Of course I'll get out of the way for any important emergency vehicle using whatever means necessary (even things which are illegal but perfectly safe like driving on a footpath, which the police do themselves in order to make money ) , unless of course there's any police or automated justice cameras watching me.
Ziltro, this is a very worrying opinion. The police are there for more than just issuing fixed penalty tickets for speeding. They provide a very valuable service. I hope you do not actively obstruct police vehicles as they could be on there way to a life threatening call (eg. Public order, or an instance of domestic violence or even someone trying to commit suicide). The view you have expressed insinuates that police officers just prosecute for speeding, this is very false, considering most police vehicles aren’t equipped to prosecute for speeding, as the only police vehicles which can be used for this purpose must have a speedometer measured in 1mph increments and should be fitted with video camera equipment.
Please bear in mind that the majority of crimes dealt with by the police are not for speeding. Not only this but it is very rare for a police unit to be on "flash response" (the highest rated response, means use of blue's and twos is authorised) for a report of speeding. The use of blues and twos normally has to be authorised unless the police vehicle is pursuing, stopping a vehicle or causing an obstruction, so there is always a good reason for the use of blues and twos.
My personal opinion on getting out the way of emergency vehicles of any sort is as with most people in this forum. I would get out the way as soon as possible. If it was required and safe to do so I would break the speed limit or mount the curb if and only if it was safe to do so and most importantly only if it was required to allow the emergency vehicle pass.
I think it has got a lot to do with the judgement of the driver, provided you respond sensibly in these situations and take action only when it is appropriate to do so you should be fine, it is highly unlikely that you will be prosecuted by an officer unless you do something silly, considering the fact that you are moving out the way of (for example) a police vehicle with blues and twos they have something far more important to respond to than a minor offence of speeding.
There is nothing set in stone, as far as the letter of the law is concerned you have committed an offence and can be prosecuted (remember that under the speed of 100mph prosecution is at the discretion of the officer), So if you were obstructing an emergency vehicle and the only way to get out of the way was to use speed, you are probably better off speeding (using judgement of coarse) to get out of the way as opposed to blocking the emergency vehicle, after all the police are far more likely to prosecute you for not getting out of the way than if you did but had to speed to do so.
The law does state the following
Standard drivers, when authorised, can
undertake emergency response in excess
of speed limits (up to 20mph in plated
speed limit areas & up to 30mph over in
national areas)
This is taken straight from a document sent to me from my local force so I think it can be relied upon.
I see it as relevant to this because it shows that standard drivers can break the speed limit lawfully, it also shows, in the letter of the law what are considered as generally safe speeds in an emergency.
I think as long as you don’t exceed 20mph over the plated speed limit and 30 mph in national speed limit zones, you are unlikely to be prosecuted by cps, however be mindful of the part of that extract that states “when authorised”, This is not a get out of jail free card, it wont get you out of speeding offences unless an officer will stand up in court and state that they authorised you to speed.
On the whole, the law is complicated, what ever you do in this instance you are likely to commit an offence, its down to you to choose which is the lesser offence to commit.
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when an ambulance approached from behind. I was in lane 1, so just carried on as normal, but the young lady in lane 2 stopped making her own chicane, then the people in front of her stopped too. Had they all just pulled left if possible or kept going untill there was room to pull over, the blood wagon would have made better progress. I think a little education would go along way here.
If you are at a red light. Don't panic or go through the light. We have the woo-woos .. and the big flashing lights and we can around - 
