Are police cars allowed to skip red lights if responding to emergencies?

Pit

yes they are allowed, that's in order to move faster to the emergency spot.

:> peace
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Blue Steel & Lace

The phrase is "respond with caution" through a red light intersection. And yes they are.

Not all agencies have the ability to change the light from red to green.

Villain

Of course.

They have a wide variety of options when dealing with an emergency. One of them are running stop lights.

Common Sense

Yes.

searious

Yes, they are supposed to slow in an attempt to make sure no one else is entering the intersection, but they have right of way by law. If you hear sirens or see the lights, you are required by law to pull over as far to the right as possible to give all emergency vehicles the ability to get through.

wendywyner4

I am a police Officer in Canada and we too are required by law to stop at a red light, however if we are in fresh pursuit of a vehicle we must have our lights acitvated make a very quick stop and proceed once safe to do so.

Papa John

Yes, but they are required to turn on their lights while doing so, but not necessarilly their siren, as they may be responding to a robbery, etc.

mikey

Police are supposed to come to a complete stop at a red light then proceed through with caution and siren and lights on. Failure to do so will not only cause an accident but can make you lose your job.

goldensparkler61

Yes but they are still responsible for stopping if lets say the green light traffic doesn't stop for what ever reason. If the cop causes an accident they are the ones in trouble. They are supposed to have control of the cop car at all times. Remember they are trained professionals, so for the most part I believe they are careful.

*****

Only when it is safe to do so, and with lights and siren on to warn others to get out of their way.

MikeGolf

When responding to an emergency - fire, police and ambulance vehicles are allowed to perform certain maneuvers that are infractions for non emergency vehicles.

The extent of these maneuvers depends on local laws, department policies and the training level of the driver. In most states a driver must have passed an EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operators Course) before they are allowed to use emergency equipment.

BTW even with lights and sirens - crossing an intersection against a red light is still somewhat hairy.

Ledzeppelin324

yup all emergency cars can, like firetrucks, etc the government paid cars

NoT ThE OnLy siMoN cOweL

yes

Roger K

DAA YA. MOST OF THE TIME THEY CHANGE THE LIGHTS SO THEY HAVE A GREEN LIGHT.

John V

NO.of course they must sit there all the way thru the light even at 3 in the morning,with noone coming both ways for miles. cause its the law.even though someone is being raped .stabbed. and shot while they sit there. laws or laws. we should never question laws, especially in the States. we trust our government,and all the wonderfull & great laws that govern us. totally..Ha Ha Ha I am funny Right?

emtpasty

By law, no. They still have to use due regard, and are supposed to still come to complete stops at red lights and stop signs before proceeding although not all emergency vehicles do. Regardless, if one is proceeding you still are required to yield to it or you risk getting a hefty ticket for failure to yield to an emergence vehicle.

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