Thought this might make for a good discussion - would you accept or contest the fine 
ROG:
Thought this might make for a good discussion - would you accept or contest the fine
i think the question needs defining better
Mr B:
i think the question needs defining better
In what way
As there is not a precidence set by the LAW, the DfT or any of their executive agencies then this is interesting.
maybe i’m a little slow today but i don’t undersatnd the question. are you asking would i accept the fine for running a red light or are you asking if i was in an emergancy vehicle (blue lighter)should i be allowed to run red lights at will
I wouldn’t move in the first place, there have been a few stupid cases like this recently and the consequence for the blue light brigade is less people will make room for them. They will have to get used to that fact. If I am at lights I am not moving, anywhere else I will do what I can to make their passage easier as long as it doesn’t entail me breaking the law with the risk of points for being helpful
I had something like this a couple of weeks ago in Walsall. I’m at a red light, road had one lane in each direction and for a distance before the lights there was a dividing fence. Police car come roaring up behind with lights and sirens going but the light was at red so I sat there, just as he arrived there was also a woman with a pushchair crossing in front of me. I waited until the lights changed then pulled into junction and as there was room I moved left and stopped, giving him a clear run. He was in a hurry but there was plenty of time for him to stop next to me and for the cop in the passenger seat to start waving his fists at me and mouthing stuff. I called him a [zb], female anatomy part which rhymes with runt, and gave him the coffee bean wave at which point he pointed at me in a sort of your card is marked manner and then they sped off. I got the number of the car and have since written to West Midlands Police complaining about the officer and I am awaiting their response.
Coffeeholic:
I wouldn’t move in the first place, there have been a few stupid cases like this recently and the consequence for the blue light brigade is less people will make room for them. They will have to get used to that fact. If I am at lights I am not moving, anywhere else I will do what I can to make their passage easier as long as it doesn’t entail me breaking the law with the risk of points for being helpfulI had something like this a couple of weeks ago in Walsall. I’m at a red light, road had one lane in each direction and for a distance before the lights there was a dividing fence. Police car come roaring up behind with lights and sirens going but the light was at red so I sat there, just as he arrived there was also a woman with a pushchair crossing in front of me. I waited until the lights changed then pulled into junction and as there was room I moved left and stopped, giving him a clear run. He was in a hurry but there was plenty of time for him to stop next to me and for the cop in the passenger seat to start waving his fists at me and mouthing stuff. I called him a [zb], female anatomy part which rhymes with runt, and gave him the coffee bean wave at which point he pointed at me in a sort of your card is marked manner and then they sped off. I got the number of the car and have since written to West Midlands Police complaining about the officer and I am awaiting their response.
Can’t wait for their response!!!
I don’t blame you Neil, until there is a rule made in LAW for this then how do 999ers expect road users to behave
Before red light cameras and the like, the driver could use their own discression and providing it was SAFE, move out the way without fear of getting penalised.
i see the point of the qusetion now. i would only move if it was safe and legal to do so, theres no point in causing an accident just so plod can get back to the station for tea break.
Mr B:
i see the point of the qusetion now. i would only move if it was safe and legal to do so, theres no point in causing an accident just so plod can get back to the station for tea break.
How would someone react to a red light camera in such circumstances if the blue lighter was going to save one of your family or friends Move or stay
ROG:
I don’t blame you Neil, until there is a rule made in LAW for this then how do 999ers expect road users to behaveBefore red light cameras and the like, the driver could use their own discression and providing it was SAFE, move out the way without fear of getting penalised.
+1 Blame the blinkered legal viewpoint that magistrates have to apply. It comes down to one question, “Did you drive through a red light?” yes/no. If yes you are guilty regardless of the circumstances. wrong I know.
its got to be stay.
i’ve seen a few emergancy vehicles turn the blues n twos off at traffic lights if there is no where for the stationary vehicles to go safely. has a motorist there’s no obligation in law to commit an offence in order to get out of the path of an emergancy vehicle in fact i’m sure most blue lighters would prefer people to get out their way safely.
in saturdays mirror (08 08 09) is an article on page 30 about manchester police helping a driver get off a red light charge cos he moved to allow an emergency vehicle thru.
quote from manchester police
“we don’t progress prosecutions when emergency vehicles effect the drivers behaviour. we always ensure the driver is being treated fairly” 
gezt:
in saturdays mirror (08 08 09) is an article on page 30 about manchester police helping a driver get off a red light charge cos he moved to allow an emergency vehicle thru.
That’s the case which started this thread.
It seems to me it was bad publicity from the MEN that changed things here. Rather than an ounce of common sense from either council or the police. That says a lot about law enforcement in this country. Sadly!
Is there a place on the current NIP for this type of offence where it asks for any extenuating circumstances so those can be investigated before proceeding any further
Blue lighter runs are logged so can be easily checked.
If found that the extenuating circumstances are valid - revoke NIP 
Seems a simple way of doing things IMO.
when the driver concerned contacted the police about his ticket he was told there’s no chance it was only the bad publicity that changed their minds.
Mr B:
when the driver concerned contacted the police about his ticket he was told there’s no chance it was only the bad publicity that changed their minds.
This is the truth of the matter. 
there is no reason to allow them though there go though a red light there are breaking the law as well, no one is allowed to go on a red light even the police no emergency services are allowed to do it there a law on it so fire engine driver have been done for it and police, i think its contravening the red light law, there do go though them but do so at there own risk
few years ago i was at the lights police coming behind me blues and two but no way for me to go i say there light changed and let he though 10 mins later police officer saw me in my car and pulled me up and said i was going to get a ticket for obstruction, i said i will got to court then i told he what i just posted above and he new i was right and give me a warning, he said don’t do it again .i said i will do it if its red no one can ask me to move at a red light and i will go to court for it,
this is something i really worry about there are lots of red light cameras where i live. So what does the law actually state? ; NO-ONE is to cross a red light even if you are making way for emergency vehicles? i doubt very much the coppers or whoever emergency ppl will bother to remember you and put in a good word
The problem is that passing a red light is an “absolute” offence. It doesn’t matter if you are moving out of the way for blues and twos or a 100ft tall king kong about to step on your vehicle crushing it and you. You’ve driven past a red light so you are guilty.