We’re road safety experts – how drivers could be able to run red lights under new campaign

Confusing road rules that penalize drivers for allowing ambulances to pass could be scrapped if a new proposal allowing drivers to avoid them is introduced.

A new campaign has been launched to stop motorists being fined up to £1,000 for driving through emergency vehicles by passing a red light.

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Currently, the law requires motorists to stay behind the red light, creating a dangerous climb ambulancePolice and fire service delays.

Most drivers’ instinct when they see blue lights and hear sirens is to get out of the way, but that could land them hefty fines and penalties if they break the traffic rules while overtaking.

Traffic safety experts snoop have launched a campaign to stop the heavy fines drivers receive for dodging ambulances trying to reach Brits in life-threatening emergencies.

Although Rule 219 of the traffic regulations says motorists should take appropriate measures to allow an emergency vehicle to pass, as violating the Highway Code carries a penalty.

Running a red light, entering a bus lane or pulling into a yellow junction to let an ambulance through can result in a mouth-watering £1,000 fine.

If evading an ambulance causes the driver to make an illegal turn, drive down a one-way street, hit the curb, or brake hard, they could also be fined heavily.

The campaign to end these harsh sentences comes at a time when recent NHS ambulance statistics have shown catastrophic delays in the arrival of ambulances for patients on the brink of death.

Shockingly, a freedom of information law for ambulance trusts in England revealed that in 2022 an average of 120 people died a day before an ambulance could reach them.

Snooper’s Gary Digva said: “People are struggling enough with the cost of living crisis and they shouldn’t be penalized for making a ‘mistake’ while avoiding an emergency vehicle.”

“When it is safe to move to make room for ambulances saving lives, there should be an exception.

“Our campaign would mean that harsh penalties for drivers who break traffic rules while dodging ambulances would be abolished where it is safe to do so.

“In an emergency, every second counts, but these hefty fines prevent motorists from getting out of the way, causing delays to an already overwhelmed emergency service.

“As long as drivers don’t panic and are careful not to collide with other road users or endanger others by swerving, people should be able to move freely without penalties.”