I'm Not Sorry I Ran A Red Light

[glasgowcyclist]

That video was made by "GEM", an organisation of which this is the first I have heard. Apparently it stands for The Guild of Experienced Motorists. I am none the wiser. All I can add is that I drove Police vehicles for 18 years, and if I was trying to get to an urgent incident then I would be EXTREMELY hacked off if I was being prevented from doing so by some self righteous nobber blocking the traffic by sitting at a red traffic light.
By that, I don't mean they should charge through the red light into the path of oncoming traffic, but rather that they should use common sense and move far enough out of the way to allow other traffic to move to the side or through the junction so that emergency vehicles can get through.

I hadn't heard of them either, it was the first video I found that fitted the description by summerdays.

Several police websites give the same advice, Sussex Police's does and refers readers to the GEM video I posted.

Back in the good old days things were different, no red light cameras for a start, but drivers nowadays have been fined for doing 'the right thing' so it's no wonder that people are reluctant to clear out of the way at lights. Me, I'd make a judgement at the time and if I was the only obstruction I'd ease across the line far enough to allow a pass.

GC

 

[jack smith]

Not his place to do that, he endangered his life and others by running the light, he just seems like a cocky git who wants to look good on camera to me

 

[summerdays]

I can't get you video to load on the iPad, so can't comment in if it was the one I remember (partially).

I'm surprised that the pedestrians carried on crossing with the sound of the sirens, I certainly wouldn't. I was at Horfield sports centre yesterday, which is also the new exit for Ambulances (not sure why when it takes a minute for the light to go green), and the ambulance came up and just went on the wrong side of the row of traffic (6 or 7 bus lengths), and out the wrong side at the lights. I presume that is what it will do each time though it was the first time I had seen it. Why didn't the sirens go on the other side in the video where there was much more space than in my example.

 

[CopperBrompton]

Cameras and attitudes have changed things a lot, unfortunately.

Many years ago, before speed cameras, I was on a motorway section where only one lane was open, the rest had the surface stripped and was coned-off. There was nobody working there at the time, but there was a 50mph speed limit. Three police cars with blues & twos came up behind me. The lead car sat fairly close behind, so I waved to them and then accelerated up to 90mph for a couple of miles until clear of the cones. I got a wave of thanks as they shot off.

These days, sadly, I'd stay at 50mph.

 

[cd365]

whilst you're busy trying to score a point, you might want to consider that i used the generic term 'police', not 'police officer' before you started getting all hair splitty... whilst they are not police 'officers', they are part of the 'police'. and that's the last time I'll explain something so simple to you.

I wasn't trying to score points and for some reason you got really offended when I tried to point out they are not 'police'. One of us understands this simple thing and it is not you.

 

[J.Primus]

That video was made by "GEM", an organisation of which this is the first I have heard. Apparently it stands for The Guild of Experienced Motorists. I am none the wiser. All I can add is that I drove Police vehicles for 18 years, and if I was trying to get to an urgent incident then I would be EXTREMELY hacked off if I was being prevented from doing so by some self righteous nobber blocking the traffic by sitting at a red traffic light.
By that, I don't mean they should charge through the red light into the path of oncoming traffic, but rather that they should use common sense and move far enough out of the way to allow other traffic to move to the side or through the junction so that emergency vehicles can get through.

You have your colleagues who enforce traffic laws to thank for that. I would not jump a red or pull into a bus lane ever for an emergency vehicle as I can't be bothered spending weeks appealing an £80 fine. If the bus lane is free then the police car can use it.
If people in law enforcement didn't cynically fine people for trying to help then more people would try to help. You reap what you sow.

 

[J.Primus]

Also I haven't watched the video but if a vehicle went though a red light because a random cyclist was waving him through then that is incredibly stupid. If he caused an accident there he would be legally 100% at fault.
Also agree with most people here that if the police wanted help with traffic control they'd ask for it.

 

[broadway]

As mentioned earlier the Highway Code Rule 219 tells you what to do.

"Emergency and Incident Support vehicles. You should look and listen for ambulances, fire engines, police, doctors or other emergency vehicles using flashing blue, red or green lights and sirens or flashing headlights, or Highways Agency Traffic Officer and Incident Support vehicles using flashing amber lights. When one approaches do not panic. Consider the route of such a vehicle and take appropriate action to let it pass, while complying with all traffic signs. If necessary, pull to the side of the road and stop, but try to avoid stopping before the brow of a hill, a bend or narrow section of road. Do not endanger yourself, other road users or pedestrians and avoid mounting the kerb. Do not brake harshly on approach to a junction or roundabout, as a following vehicle may not have the same view as you."

There is no get out clause. So cyclist and lorry driver are at fault.

 

[GrasB]

This thread sums up with which british society is going to the dogs big time. Everyone is concerned with following the letter of codes rather than actually making a sensible judgment call.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

This thread sums up with which british society is going to the dogs big time. Everyone is concerned with following the letter of codes rather than actually making a sensible judgment call.

Possibly because some people have been punished for using their common sense.
Why breach the rules when those same rules will be subsequently used against you?

GC

 

[J.Primus]

This thread sums up with which british society is going to the dogs big time. Everyone is concerned with following the letter of codes rather than actually making a sensible judgment call.

I'll unconcern myself with the letter of the law when the person who wants me to break it hands me £80 in cash in advance.

 

[User6179]

Possibly because some people have been punished for using their common sense.
Why breach the rules when those same rules will be subsequently used against you?

GC

That's what happened in Nazi Germany

 

[ufkacbln]

Reminds me of one of the petrolhead sites where this guy was bleating about being ticketed for jumping a red light and stopping in the yellow box

He felt it was unfair as he had moved forward to allow an ambulance to get through, and was using it to illustrate how ridiculous the law was.

Then someone used common sense and asked if he had appealed.... he hadn't

He then did appeal, the appeal was up held and the fine revoked.


Rules can (and should) be broken IF there is a proven overall benefit

Red light jumping because your time is more important to your over inflated ego than obeying the law does not have the benefit

 

[Brandane]

You have your colleagues who enforce traffic laws to thank for that. I would not jump a red or pull into a bus lane ever for an emergency vehicle as I can't be bothered spending weeks appealing an £80 fine. If the bus lane is free then the police car can use it.
If people in law enforcement didn't cynically fine people for trying to help then more people would try to help. You reap what you sow.

This reply saddens me, but comes as no surprise. I understand where you are coming from, but such incidents of Police Officers enforcing the law without using common sense are incredibly rare. I have been retired from the Police for over 10 years now, and have spent much of that time in various driving jobs, from artics to taxis. I would still go through a red light to assist emergency vehicles to make progress. If I then came across some over eager nobber in a uniform then I would challenge it all the way through the court system. If the full circumstances were to come out, I don't believe there is a court in the land that would convict. Keep the faith or lie down to the nobbers? I know which way I will go!

 

[J.Primus]

This reply saddens me, but comes as no surprise. I understand where you are coming from, but such incidents of Police Officers enforcing the law without using common sense are incredibly rare. I have been retired from the Police for over 10 years now, and have spent much of that time in various driving jobs, from artics to taxis. I would still go through a red light to assist emergency vehicles to make progress. If I then came across some over eager nobber in a uniform then I would challenge it all the way through the court system. If the full circumstances were to come out, I don't believe there is a court in the land that would convict. Keep the faith or lie down to the nobbers? I know which way I will go!

It's the way to go if you've lots of free time and money. Not an option for all of us my friend.