Driving through red lights for emergency vehicles

101 replies

liketheredsea · 24/09/2026 17:12

I work near a hospital and a police station, so probably see more of this than most people.

There is a junction that connects the main roads, and it’s probably a daily occurrence now that I see people driving through the lights to let emergency vehicles with their sirens on through.

AIBU to think this is incredibly stupid?! I remember that one of the first things my driving instructor taught me was that you don’t do anything illegal to let an emergency vehicle through. But I see it every day!

OP posts:

Mama2many73 · Today 01:03

Badbadbunny · 24/09/2026 17:22

Nope, you NEVER break the law, regardless of circumstances. If there are traffic light or bus lane cameras you WILL be fined and have no chance of appeal. If you did so, and it resulted in an accident, you would be the one at fault. The ONLY time you'd have a defence against a fine would be if you were directed to by a police constable in uniform as that's a specific legal exemption.

Emergency vehicle drivers who are allowed to use blues and twos have additional driving training to do so, so will know the rules, which are that they have to turn off the sirens and wait if they are blocked at a road junction or level crossing etc. They're specifically taught not to "bully" drivers to break the law to get out of their way.

Show quote history

100% correct.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5