Police on priority through a red light

[prodigistics]

Subject to debate, should the civilian car travel through the red light? Do you commit an offence if you travel through a red *or* do you wait and commit an offence for failing to give way to an emergency vehicle?

If you remain stationary of a police car with its lights n sirens going, You can be charged with

( OBSTRUCTION os JUSTICE ).

[benlyons83]

What kind of stupid question is that! (see description) Do you honestly think that the cop who is busting his arse to get to a job will put it on hold to write you a fucking red light ticket...lol

[mlps93]

many drivers wont get of the way in Hong Kong due to that main reason

but some use good judgement tho

[lincolnmicahfox]

I wouldn't trigger a speed camera at an intersection to move out the way, they aren't going to pay the fine

[gshdrums]

Its not an offence if there is an emergency vehicle behind you and there is no other choice and it is safe to do so, you may go.

[AnonymousDiv0]

According to the emergency driving standards I am familiar with (for ambulances), best practice is that sirens should be turned off if the emergency vehicle is stuck behind a vehicle which is stopped at traffic lights. Reason being that drivers should not be pressured into either breaking traffic legislation or making potentially unsafe manoeuvrers.

First rule of emergency response is to make sure you avoid causing another incident while on the way to a scene.

[AnonymousDiv0]

IMO legislation in all states should allow for giving way to emergency vehicles provided that it is safe to do so. It is irresponsible for the government to force drivers to consider legal problems rather than automatically giving way to emergency vehicles as a matter of course.

[igo4minecomau]

As someone who is probably going to be joining the police soon...MOVE THE F**K OUT OF THE WAY! Simple as that! I've often been given the thumbs up by various police officers for proceeding through reds (immediately when safe) with the headlights flashing and the horn sounding to give an emergency vehicle the best opportunity to reach the job as quickly as possible.

[Bobman84]

@igo4minecomau Headlights flashing and horn tooting? Are you serious? Lol.

[falcon96kickass]

that cop hit skids

[Char1zard93]

very nice catch man! 0:18 cool

what county?

[yorky2010]

@Char1zard93 Perth, Western Australia.

[jjleung100]

that 4wd should've pulled in front of the car on the left - IN FRONT - not keep getting closer and closer to him to force him to turn to get away! you go through the red light on the condition it is safe to do so whether it is illegal or not, you will NOT get a fine from a patrol car for going through the light, however the red light camera may get u, you then simply write back and explain what happened, if they can verify an emergency vehicle in that vacinity at that time, it won't go to court.

[xXJeeXTeeXAyeXmanXx]

what scanner are u using? and what freq is the transperth channel you were on... lol i perfer the transperth security (rail, bus, security units ect) anyway

[JustinFromSydney]

I hate people like that motorist at the red light.

"Oh.. ahh...ahh.. there's a police car on my tail with its lights and sirens on.'

What should i do?

What should I do?

What. should. I DO?

Derrrrrrrrr..."

[jamieabbi]

its not an offence, if an emergency vehicle needs to get through then you disregard all road rules to let them pass. its common sense

[4g63fourlife]

He did the right thing, if your preventing an emergency vehicle from getting to where it needs to go you need to move out of its way. Its not breaking the law if you run a red light to yield to an emergency vehicle as long as you make sure its safe to proceed

[itsdamo1993]

Offiicially they say don't run it.

But it's unspoken rule that when an emergency vehicle is behind you, look around and cautiously get out of the way.

No cop will ever book you if you sensibly let them through by creeping past the line and off to the side.

All other cars on greenlights should be stopped or slowed down anyway.

If they're racing to a murder scene they don't want you sitting there in a quiet intersection obeying the law to the letter.

Use common sense and MOVE!!!

[bg1379]

It isn't up for debate, you get the hell out of their way!

[SonofthePhantom]

If there's an emergency vehicle behind you, you should move it or lose it

[benisthesexyest]

By the Australian road rules you have to take whatever means necessary, provided reasonable care is taken, to allow passage of an emergency vehicle with activated beacons/siren. So if the road is clear and you can safely, you must get out of the way, even if it means going through a red light. The key wording is 'provided reasonable care is taken'.

It should also be noted that in NSW legislation, although not the ARR, no driver of an emergency vehicle can force a road user to break the ARR.

[thompsonmatthew]

I think the cop should have gone over the middle curb and onto the other side rather than go behind traffic

[yorky2010]

@thompsonmatthew Unfotunately the kurb on that corner is very high, there is a high risk of the vehicle getting stuck.

[thompsonmatthew]

@yorky2010 Yes, but I think if they were really in a hurry they should have thought of something better...and if that car had've been hit I doubt the police would have taken responsibility.

[thompsonmatthew]

I was reading a brochure on emergency services, and it said you shouldn't.

[ALPHAFIVETWOFIVE]

Under the Road Rules 2008 you're exempt from road rules (such as stopping in no stopping zones, crossing unbroken lane lines, moving through a red light) in order to give way to an emergency vehicle. You won't be booked for giving way such as this situation.

[yorky2010]

@ALPHAFIVETWOFIVE I take it that's in NSW though? There are different road traffic laws for WA where this video was taken.

[ALPHAFIVETWOFIVE]

@yorky2010 Indeed my refrence was to NSW legislation though across the States common-sense should apply in such situations with individual legislation.

For W.A from the W.A transport website:

Section 3.10.4 (drife safe handbook)

You must comply with the direction of a police officer or other authorised person.

Their directions overrule: traffic control signals; STOP and GIVE WAY signs; the give way to the right rule; and arrows or other markings on the road surface.

[jmmw]

@yorky2010

Australian Road Rules are exactly the same for all States/Territories except WA however WA's Road Traffic Code has been amended to make it consistant with the ARR for example Australian Road Rules 1999 (SA) Reg 300 is virtually the same as Road Traffic Code 2000 (WA) S 265 regarding the use of mobile phones while driving.

[yomumma92]

@yorky2010 You're correct. Each state has its own rules regarding this situation presented here. Here, in South Australia, you would be fined for proceeding through a red light if an emergency vehicle with emergency lighting approached you from behind. You must, however, make as much room available for the emergency vehicle to pass as you possibly can, without infringing upon SA road rules, or endangering others. :)

[EAFSQ9]

@yorky2010 It's the same over there in WA. As in all states. By law, a civilian is exempt from road rules in order to give to an emergency vehicle.

[TheDh0ffryn]

@yorky2010 even if the rules don't state it what would you rather, a traffic fine for running a redlight, or pissing of a pig and obstructing a police officer?

[yorky2010]

@TheDh0ffryn No doubt, I would personally continue through the light if safe.

[TaxiDashcamVideos]

@ALPHAFIVETWOFIVE A friend of mine went to court for a red light camera infringement - his defense - an ambulance was behind him with sirens and lights so he moved off and proceeded through - result - guilty - no ambulance in the photo.

[indeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed]

@ALPHAFIVETWOFIVE i thought that was a lot earlier than 2008, i remember that from 1988 , basically allowed to "get out of the way" if you had to cross median into oncoming traffic, sobeit, no harm no foul

[jmmw]

What equipment are you using to record?

[FuddyRulz]

you won't get fined for going through a red light if a police car is trying to get through and going through the red light is the only option you have as a driver.

[TheCommanderNZ]

I am interested to know about the recording setup you got mounted on your dash.

[0Frostitute0]

hypocrites aye....i heard tyre squeal there, they should be hoon law'd

[rooboy69]

what pricks, the cops in that car almost caused 2 accidents

1 from the car infront, and 1 themselves

I have seen 3 accidents personally from cops pealing through red lights like there in a Hollywood movie

[jmmw]

Part 1

Road Traffic Code 2000 (WA)

r. 60

60. Keeping clear of police and emergency vehicles

A driver shall give way to, and make every reasonable effort to

give a clear and uninterrupted passage to, every police or

emergency vehicle that is displaying a flashing blue or red light

(whether or not it is also displaying other lights) or sounding an

alarm.

Also notice at 0.25 the police officer signals to the driver to move, this is covered under part 2

[MrIQQU]

Nice info bro

[jmmw]

Road Traffic Code 2000 (WA)

r. 273

272. Obedience to police or authorised persons

(1) Every pedestrian and driver shall obey the signal by hand or the

reasonable oral direction given by a member of the Police Force

or—

(b) an authorised person, if the signal or direction given by

him or her is given for the purpose of facilitating the

movement of a fire engine or other emergency vehicle

[jmmw]

Part 3

Road Traffic Code 2000 (WA)

r. 273

272. Obedience to police or authorised persons

(2) It is a defence to any prosecution notice of a breach of these

regulations that the accused was, at the time of the alleged

offence, acting in conformity with a signal or direction given

under subregulation (1).

[falcon96kickass]

how do you get this footage are you or do you work for the police because that is some wicked videos you put on here and enjoy watching mate

[TJFrost12455]

When the cop sticks his arm out the window he's sticking a blue whirly light on the roof of his car...

[yorky2010]

@TJFrost12455 Correct, however if you look closely he then points his arm out the window a second time indicating to get out of the way.

[djsfilms1]

in that situation the car CAN go straight through the red light legally.