Got Fined For Going Thru A Green Light!

[JappyBeast]

So a guy at my work was called as a witness because the guy infront came to a cross roads on a green light and a fire engine hit him from the right going thru a red.

He thought that because his path was on the green light he would be ok but it turned out that he should have looked out for the fire engine.

Apparently the law says you have to look out for emergency vehicles when the lights are on green (I didnt know this).. so even tho his lights were on green he didnt have a leg to stand on in court and was fined.

To think there are traffic lights on the A38.. I could be doing 70mph.. how could you react to a fire engine at that speed??..

[Bibbs]

I could be doing 70mph.. how could you react to a fire engine at that speed??..

Dab the hand brake, turn in the same direction as the fire engine .. 4th gear and loads of boot .. then opposite lock .. and hold it ..

Should have you infront of the fire engine with a huge drift .. taking up both lanes ..

Think it's about 50~70 Kudos in Project Gotham 2 ..

In seriousness .. that's cr*p .. I was given the impression they were allowed to cross only if it was safe for THEM to do so ..

[JappyBeast]

In seriousness .. that's cr*p .. I was given the impression they were allowed to cross only if it was safe for THEM to do so ..

He walked in thinking he was in the right and walked out with a big fine..

Green lights are no longer safe in my eyes.

The fire engine should have been the one looking out.

[Kenny]

The fire engine should have been the one looking out.

thats what i would have thought because

1. Your side is still green and cars doing 70mph there

2. They are crossing your path and they have to make sure it is safe to cross it

but didnt your friend hear sirens in a distance because if you do u have to slow down.... <_<

[Master_Simon]

I can't see how this was allowed to happen, I would appeal myself, there was an accident some years ago in Dover where a copper flew through red light and smacked into a mini, the ****** caused a bigger accident than the one he going to, but she, to my knowledge was never fined or prosecuted. Another case I know of a copper (again ) smashed into a car on a roundabout only this time they did try to prosecute until a witness came forward to support the guy, when, the case was quietly dropped......

I suppose we are making assumptions here, for instance we do not know the road layout, what was the visibility at that junction etc?? I personally was of the opinion the emergency services were obliged to slow down and be prepared to stop going through lights set to red and similarly you should drive at a speed whereby you can stop in case of an emergency, and you could argue this one till the cows come home.

Still I personally think the fireman should have had some serious questions to answer.

[dazwan]

I thought that ALL vehicles were supposed to stop at red lights regardless (including emergency vehicles).

I can't remember where I heard it, but I have been told the only vehicle allowed to legally run a red light is a vehicle going to war.

This person really needs to appeal this poor decision and get some decent legal representation (like someone who specialises in this area of the law).

[srd]

thats not wright what muppet passed that law,he got his car wrecked and fined for it,there is something seriously wrong with that

[jaxx]

i nearly got rammed by one of them massive fire engines with the gantry on the back on mansfield ring road cos it jumped the red when mine was on green! :ffs:

as far as im aware they do have to approach with caution and come to a halt if necassary to be sure of a clear pathway and not just rambo it!

needless to say i actually look left and right just like on a normal junction these days!

[gordypix]

Sure, Emergency vehicles can go through Red lights BUT only with due care & attention to the surroundings. They have to slow down and give way if necessary because we can't all just move in the blink of an eye.......... An Emergency Vehicle still has to be in full control on the road and cannot drive dangerously or using excessive speeds that will cause danger to other road users.

[Paul C]

very difficult one where the law lies on this one i belive emergency vehicles are supposed to stop at red lights like anyone else, but are taught to treat them like give way signs saying that green lights are as good as give way signs not the god given right just to go we've got sets of lights here that go green i both directions on cross roads and if your turning right seen many a smash at these lights

[Jimlad]

ooooooh...

If that was me I would have got out and punched the driver of the fire engine in the head... ! :ffs:

[Master_Simon]

If that was me I would have got out and punched the driver of the fire engine in the head...

Oh and what about his 5 mates in the back, who just the same as him will be pumped up on adrenaline, normally do lots of weight training etc......

Unless you are Chuck Norris or JC VanD I'd keep schtum. :!Removed!:

[DazH]

That stinks

A few years ago after droppin the missus of at work about 7:00am a copper drove into the back of me. I was stationary waiting for oncoming traffic at a roundabout when he decided to rearrange the back of my car by hitting it at 40mph and pushing me out into the road. Within two maybe three minutes at the most I had about 5 squad cars round me and was bundled into the back of one to be breathalysed. I was totally clear but when I questioned if he would be, all I got was "oh yes we'll test him in a minute"

I still never saw him get breathalysed and they took me to station for an hour and a half for questioning. To add insult to injury when they checked my car to see if it was driveable he told me I had a brake light out!!!!!

"Of course I have, that to :censor: ser of a mate of yours just hit me doin 40mph" was my polite reply.

Still, they paid out over a grand and I got car fixed for £200 through a mate :P :P

TELL HIM TO APPEAL

[nws25]

ooooooh...

If that was me I would have got out and punched the driver of the fire engine in the head... ! :ffs:

Next time your house is burning down, or your stuck in a mangled wreck about to explode, remind them when you dial 999 that they dont have to rush :!Removed!:

[srd]

If that was me I would have got out and punched the driver of the fire engine in the head...

Oh and what about his 5 mates in the back, who just the same as him will be pumped up on adrenaline, normally do lots of weight training etc......

Unless you are Chuck Norris or JC VanD I'd keep schtum. :!Removed!:

thats why all cars come with a tyre iron,not just for the odd wheel change but for the odd act of violance aswell

[L4AGZE]

Was the siren of the fire engine sounding at the time?

just kinda curious as u dont mention that, it could have played a part in the case.

Oh and dont u just hate it when u see coopers rolling upto red traffic lights and then using their flashing lights and siren to go through!

Ok rant over

[Master_Simon]

Oh and dont u just hate it when u see coopers rolling upto red traffic lights and then using their flashing lights and siren to go through

I have to say I hate seeing barrel makers driving through red lights too :P :D

hey there he is gettim!!

[Nicola]

I guess most of us have come across emergency vehicles at a junction/traffic lights.

I have always been aware of emergency vehicles at junctions. Usually the flashing light catches my eye or I hear the siren, so to get hit is quite unusual.

Sounds like both parties were a little careless.

Just remember that trying to stop a fire engine quickly is impossible as they are full of water and so very heavy, also very difficult to manouvere(sp?)

[Yarisboy]

the law's just covering their own backs....

think they want to be paying out fines when they don't have to?

why not just pass a law that puts them in the clear no matter what? (which they quite obviously have)

[Ryan1985]

Wen u learn 2 drive u are told 2 look out 4 emergency service vehicles at every junction and i got a minor in my test 4 not doin so at a junction!!!

Tell ur mate 2 appeal anyway!