What would you do (driving related)

[MeredithGrey1]

More of a what would you have done than AIBU I guess.

This morning driving to work I was on a large, signalised roundabout, stopped at internal traffic lights so that vehicles to my left could enter the roundabout on the green light. I was at the front of the queue with no one behind me when a fire engine with lights and sirens came up behind. Me and the car next to me both moved forwards across the stop line and pulled sideways away from each other to let the fire engine through. The vehicles entering the roundabout had all stopped as they could see what was happening (obviously I checked this before moving) and were waiting to let me and the other car past, and therefore the fire engine as well.
So afterwards, I was curious and looked it up and it turns out that regardless of whether there’s an emergency vehicle, you aren’t allowed to do anything you couldnt normally do (so go through a red light, drive in a bus lane etc) and I could technically get points on my licence for going through the light. I suppose I do understand the reasoning because I guess it’s generally the safest thing for the most people but still I was surprised. I know that really it’s only seconds of time, but it wouldn’t have felt right this morning to see the traffic coming onto the roundabout stop and wait, and yet still refuse to move forward to let the fire engine through, but was I wrong? Wwyd if waiting at lights with an emergency vehicle behind you?

It happened to me once at traffic lights, and I did what you did.

This has happened to me and I did what you did. I don't see how you could sit there and not do it tbh

If you do this at a light with a camera you would get done for it, no excuses, even if faced with an emergency vehicle.
Despite this I’d probably always move because I’d rather risk the points than someone’s life and I have the luxury of having no points so my licence wouldn’t be at risk (yet).

I would have done the same as you and so would most sensible people

I was told by the police many years ago that you should move forward through traffic lights to let them pass.

I've always done what you've done, never got in trouble for it and done it at lights and bus lanes notorious for their cameras

I've always done this for emergency vehicles. I also did it once when I could see in my mirror the rapidly advancing lorry approaching my rear was not looking at me and didn't seem aware of the traffic lights (it was a big junction not a roundabout as such) definitely wouldn't have the space to stop, so I pulled forwards and turned my steering wheel sharply to the left so when he hit my car I wasn't propelled into the stream of traffic coming from my right.

If you got fine you would explain the circumstances as the fire engine would also set the camera off.

Legally, even the emergency services are not allowed to pass through red lights etc although of course they do.

Legally, even the emergency services are not allowed to pass through red lights etc although of course they do

The police can be exempted from the normal road traffic laws, for example if they are in pursuit of a suspect. I'd assumed that the same was true for the other emergency vehicles?

OP - I'd have done (and have also done) the same as you, and appealed any fine or points that were incurred. And maybe even taken my sad face to the local papers if the appeal was unsuccessful

The correct and safest reaction is to stay where you are and do not put yourself on the wrong side of the law. Emergency drivers know this and will not expect you to either, and will wait until it is clear and safe to proceed. Sometimes will also switch off the siren so as not to appear to be provoking a response or 'harrassing' other drivers.

It is still not legal for an emergency vehicle to cross red lights, etc, however by displaying flashing blue lights and sounding a siren you are informing other drivers that you may be claiming "an exemption" from the law. You do not have the right to the exemption and may be required to defend it in court of law. If an emergency vehicle is involved in a collision whilst claiming an exemption the driver will be charged with relevant road traffic charges such as dangerous or careless driving. This would then likely be decided in court as to any culpability and the use of the exemption would be examined and need to be justified.

This video is an excellent guide of what it expected of you: www.bluelightaware.org.uk/

I was directed into a bus lane by a police convoy a while back, as they were escorting a vehicle.

The council fined me based on the CCTV images, and I couldn’t appeal.