Help. Went through red light to let police car through..

[Thingymajigii]

Two lanes of traffic waiting at a red light. Police car comes through the traffic, blue lights on, all cars parting behind me to let it through, gets to me and car next to me won't budge an inch so it was down to me to move out of the way and the only way was to go through the light. I did stop very shortly after going through in a safe place, not obstructing any other traffic.
I think the lights had a camera on it.
I don't have any cameras on my car so I cannot prove that I was letting a police car through.
Any advice or previous experience with this one?

I'm fascinated by this man's insta / YouTube videos on liability when there are collisions and on good and bad driving. I just googled him and completely coincidentally the first video that came up was exactly what's being discussed here.

Do not go through red lights!

Jobber! Yes he says dont go through unless directed to by a copper. For me a copper behind in a car with his lights blaring wants you out the way but dont move unless he gets out and tells you so.

We don’t really have cameras on traffic lights in the UK. You need to be seen running a red by the police and pulled over. Sounds like this didn’t happen, so you’ll be fine.

We definitely do have cameras on traffic lights here. They're not on all of them obviously but it's still very common.

That's not correct. We do have cameras at red lights and you can be fined.

Interesting thread. I've done it. But I was in Sydney in Australia where the law is the opposite. There you get a fine and points for NOT moving out of the way. It is allowed (and expected) to move out of the way, including crossing red lights.

And i was passed by a couple of motorcades when I lived there. They certainly don't stop for red lights!

I would have moved out of the way. But if that had gotten me a fine, I would have contested it. I might still be considered at fault, but at least a human would have to look at my case, rather than an automated system.

We do- I was caught on one and no, I wasn't moving out of the way of an emergency vehicle, I just thought I could sneak through on the amber and was going a bit too fast. That was many years ago and I got three points on my licence. I am a much safer driver now!

But is a sign a light? I always think of a sign being a sign and a light be a light...

"According to the Highway Code, a traffic sign is any object or device that conveys information, warnings, requirements, restrictions, or prohibitions to traffic on roads. This includes:
signs mounted on supports, carriageway markings, beacons, studs, bollards, traffic signals, and matrix signals."

If only they would do that...

I've been at the front of a queue of traffic, held at a red light with a fire engine behind me. Lights, siren and his hand on the horn for good measure too.

Yes sorry, you were in the wrong. my dh got done for this a good few years back, can't quite remember the penalty, 3 points is ringing a bell. He's a people pleaser too.

Of course its a sign. Its an instruction to stop. You''ll probably get away with it but next time just stay put whatever blue light vehicle it is.

Stupid. But you’re not meant to go through. Ted light. Even to let a police car through on blues and twos

my mate got done for it.

It’s not unheard of but it is not common.

https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/ask-the-police/question/Q699#:~:text=It's%20important%20to%20remember%20that,guarantee%20that%20it%20will%20be.

Yes, its a tricky one as if done in a panic, it could very easily cause a crash so I can see why the law is in place.
However, there are so many factors at play. In my case, I didn't risk a crash and checked for pedestrians and stopped immediately after the light and before any junctions so minimal risk. The police had his lights and siren on and flew through the light as soon as I moved out the way. It was just instinctive but I know for future.

It’s not unheard of but it’s not common.

Yeah. It’s proper shit.

but my friend did the exact same thing. Got a ticket for going through. Red light. Tried to argue it. But nope. Didn’t matter

If a police car driver on a call wants you to get the fuck out of their way, you do as you are told.

And how was Op told to "get the fuck out of the way(!)?

I’m sorry but most traffic lights do not have cameras.

On our spending drivers course, we were definitely told not to cross lights to let an emergency vehicle through. One of us was on course apparently for this very thing.

Yeah. They’re right. I think something like 36% have red light cameras in them?

Fair enough, that's clear.

Yes. Don’t move next time.