Legal to exceed speed limit exception?

[Quartz]

I've just watched a video about an emergency ambulance run in the Netherlands and apparently there it is legal to exceed the speed limit if you are getting out of the way of an emergency vehicle. Is that the case here in the UK?

I know that necessity can be used as a defence but that's an affirmative defence.

 

[Trifid]

No. You can't even carefully proceed on a red light in the UK without being prosecuted.

 

[tom_e]

No, not legal to break any traffic laws to move out of their way over here.

You can jump a red light but only if instructed to by a police officer but that's it afaik

 

[Demon]

One of those laws that is at odds with human nature and common sense..

I will get out the way and break the HWC if I feel I am doing so safely.. but that's on me if I get caught...

However, on a technicality:

There is no minimum distance over which the car must exceed the speed limit – unless the police are conducting a follow check using their own calibrated speedo. In which case they must follow for at least 2/10th of a mile

So, if you speed for 1/10th of a mile, then does them not being able to enforce it in those situations count?

 

[Uther]

Nope, just drive normally and let them get on with it. Sucks sometimes but there it is.

 

[sovietspybob]

Yeah tahts why they'll turn off their sirens when they get to stuff like road works so people don't panic and try and go faster or jump the lights.

Just drive normally and look for a safe place to let them pass

 

[Diddums]

I once went in to a bus lane to let a waaaawaaaa past and got stiffed, now their clients can die as far as I'm concerned.


Or I'll come to the hospital and claim my £65.


With interest.


And nectar points.

 

[fewfe3]

Too many stories of getting booked if you go over trafic lights or bus lanes. Wouldn't risk speeding, Just carry on until you can safetly pull over or they can pass if you slow down.

 

[SpellowHouse]

While not legal, there are few policemen who will enforce the law if you have a very good reason to have broken it. But judge wisely! I can remember going through a red light, once, with a policeman watching me do it, because there was an ambulance up my behind and nowhere else for me to go. I had beeped a car in the way a few times before I did, but in desperation went through the red light.

 

[Reuben klang]

Too many stories of getting booked if you go over trafic lights or bus lanes. Wouldn't risk speeding, Just carry on until you can safetly pull over or they can pass if you slow down.

Yup, this, it’s ******* stupid here but that just the way it is.

 

[Reuben klang]

While not legal, there are few policemen who will enforce the law if you have a very good reason to have broken it. But judge wisely! I can remember going through a red light, once, with a policeman watching me do it, because there was an ambulance up my behind and nowhere else for me to go. I had beeped a car in the way a few times before I did, but in desperation went through the red light.

You’re one of the lucky ones.

 

[dlockers]

Too many stories of getting booked if you go over trafic lights or bus lanes. Wouldn't risk speeding, Just carry on until you can safetly pull over or they can pass if you slow down.

 

[SpellowHouse]

You’re one of the lucky ones.

I would do it every time and stand up in court and give 'em hell! I was saving a life. End of...

 

[ZG002]

From the stories I hear it's usually if you are caught by a camera and it goes off to the powers that be you are done for.

There's nothing stopping a officer pulling you over for moving out of the way at a light etc but I'm willing to bet most don't really want to have that conversation. Most people who run red lights for the services don't really "run" the light, they edge forward at slow speed until there is room to get past, not like they just go **** it and away they go lol.

 

[SpellowHouse]

From the stories I hear it's usually if you are caught by a camera and it goes off to the powers that be you are done for.

There's nothing stopping a officer pulling you over for moving out of the way at a light etc but I'm willing to bet most don't really want to have that conversation. Most people who run red lights for the services don't really "run" the light, they edge forward at slow speed until there is room to get past, not like they just go **** it and away they go lol.

Yes, cameras seem to be "there is no excuse". Even if your grandma was on fire it wasn't a reason.

 

[adidan]

I can't see any fine not being cancelled on appeal if it's pointed out it was done to stop someone possibly dying.

 

[200sols]

I can't see any fine not being cancelled on appeal if it's pointed out it was done to stop someone possibly dying.

The rationale being if people start jumping reds it can cause further risk etc.

 

[tom_e]

I can't see any fine not being cancelled on appeal if it's pointed out it was done to stop someone possibly dying.

They aren't, you broke the law it's as simple as that you've got nothing to appeal. Common sense doesn't come into it.

 

[snapdragon69]

You're unlikely to get busted for a positive deviation over the stop line as long as you do so with due diligence and don't cross the junction or gain any other advantage from doing so.

 

[adidan]

The rationale being if people start jumping reds it can cause further risk etc.

They aren't, you broke the law it's as simple as that you've got nothing to appeal. Common sense doesn't come into it.

It's possible.

You can be fined for avoiding an ambulance | RAC Drive

Road laws still apply in the event of encountering an emergency vehicle and you will still need to comply with relevant traffic signs.

www.rac.co.uk

While you shouldn’t break the rules of the road even in this situation, people have previously had fines waived for minor offences such as entering a bus lane to let a police car past