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Daily Record
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Drivers who let an ambulance past could be fined up to £1,000 if they don't do it properly
If you don't know the rules of the road for when an ambulance approaches from behind, you could end up breaking the law and being fined - and it's not what you might expect While most motorists are aware that they should promptly make way for emergency vehicles with flashing blue lights, the situation isn't always straightforward. However, drivers must be cautious not to break traffic laws in the process, such as driving in a bus lane or ignoring a red light, as doing so could lead to hefty fines. The same caution is advised when considering entering a yellow box junction. In addition to financial repercussions, certain offences, like running a red light, can also result in three points being added to your licence. A spokesperson from West Midlands Ambulance Service has offered guidance on the matter, stating: "If you are at the lights and can see an emergency vehicle behind you, stay where you are until the light turns green or the emergency vehicle has passed. "Our teams are trained to safely navigate through traffic, sometimes using oncoming lanes or filter lanes." "But when it is not safe, we will maintain a safe distance, turn off sirens but keep lights on, and wait until it is safe to move." According to the Highway Code, as reported by Wales Online: "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 traffic officer and incident support vehicles using flashing amber lights." The rules state that you must stop before the brow of a hill, avoid climbing onto the kerb, ensure you don't put others at risk and avoid emergency braking. The Blue Light Aware website explains: "Of course, there will be times when there simply is no room for an emergency service vehicle to get past, or perhaps its crew are activated by their control room to respond to an emergency while they are waiting with everyone else at the traffic lights. "On these occasions, they know that other motorists are not allowed to 'jump' the red light, and the emergency vehicle would ideally not activate its sirens and lights until it was safe for the vehicle in front to cross the solid white line at the junction. "On the (hopefully) rare occasions that a blue light vehicle, in 'emergency mode', is sitting behind another vehicle at a red traffic light, it's important to appreciate that it would be both very dangerous and illegal for the other vehicle to move across the solid white line." Nevertheless, motorists who move beyond the white line at traffic signals are breaking the law and risk causing another collision in doing so. Will I receive a penalty? Moving past the white line during a red signal can lead to penalty points and a financial penalty, whilst also creating hazards for pedestrians and other motorists who don't anticipate a vehicle crossing the line.
Rhyl Journal
08-06-2025
- Automotive
- Rhyl Journal
All UK drivers issued £1,000 warning over simple mistake
Not only does this minimise the risk of accidents, but incorrectly letting an ambulance pass could result in a fine of up to £1,000. The Highway Code instructs motorists to give way to vehicles with flashing lights, including police cars, fire engines, ambulances and emergency doctors. But if you break the law while doing so, for example by entering a yellow box junction or bus lane, or by driving through a red light, penalties may be severe. Not only can you be fined, but some offences can also add three penalty points to your licence. The Highway Codes states: "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 traffic officer and incident support vehicles using flashing amber lights." Recommended reading: It advises motorists to stop ahead of a hill's brow, to never mount the kerb, ensure others aren't put in jeopardy, and to avoid abrupt braking. Further guidance found on the Blue Light Aware website reads: 'Of course, there will be times when there simply is no room for an emergency service vehicle to get past, or perhaps its crew are activated by their control room to respond to an emergency while they are waiting with everyone else at the traffic lights. 'On these occasions, they know that other motorists are not allowed to 'jump' the red light, and the emergency vehicle would ideally not activate its sirens and lights until it was safe for the vehicle in front to cross the solid white line at the junction."
North Wales Chronicle
08-06-2025
- Automotive
- North Wales Chronicle
All UK drivers issued £1,000 warning over simple mistake
Not only does this minimise the risk of accidents, but incorrectly letting an ambulance pass could result in a fine of up to £1,000. The Highway Code instructs motorists to give way to vehicles with flashing lights, including police cars, fire engines, ambulances and emergency doctors. But if you break the law while doing so, for example by entering a yellow box junction or bus lane, or by driving through a red light, penalties may be severe. Not only can you be fined, but some offences can also add three penalty points to your licence. The Highway Codes states: "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 traffic officer and incident support vehicles using flashing amber lights." Recommended reading: It advises motorists to stop ahead of a hill's brow, to never mount the kerb, ensure others aren't put in jeopardy, and to avoid abrupt braking. Further guidance found on the Blue Light Aware website reads: 'Of course, there will be times when there simply is no room for an emergency service vehicle to get past, or perhaps its crew are activated by their control room to respond to an emergency while they are waiting with everyone else at the traffic lights. 'On these occasions, they know that other motorists are not allowed to 'jump' the red light, and the emergency vehicle would ideally not activate its sirens and lights until it was safe for the vehicle in front to cross the solid white line at the junction."
Leader Live
08-06-2025
- Automotive
- Leader Live
All UK drivers issued £1,000 warning over simple mistake
Not only does this minimise the risk of accidents, but incorrectly letting an ambulance pass could result in a fine of up to £1,000. The Highway Code instructs motorists to give way to vehicles with flashing lights, including police cars, fire engines, ambulances and emergency doctors. But if you break the law while doing so, for example by entering a yellow box junction or bus lane, or by driving through a red light, penalties may be severe. Not only can you be fined, but some offences can also add three penalty points to your licence. The Highway Codes states: "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 traffic officer and incident support vehicles using flashing amber lights." Recommended reading: It advises motorists to stop ahead of a hill's brow, to never mount the kerb, ensure others aren't put in jeopardy, and to avoid abrupt braking. Further guidance found on the Blue Light Aware website reads: 'Of course, there will be times when there simply is no room for an emergency service vehicle to get past, or perhaps its crew are activated by their control room to respond to an emergency while they are waiting with everyone else at the traffic lights. 'On these occasions, they know that other motorists are not allowed to 'jump' the red light, and the emergency vehicle would ideally not activate its sirens and lights until it was safe for the vehicle in front to cross the solid white line at the junction."
Daily Record
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Little-known Highway Code means drivers could be fined for letting an ambulance pass
Drivers warned to be cautious when moving out of the way to allow emergency service vehicles to overtake Motorists are being warned they could be hit with a hefty fine for moving out of the way of an emergency service vehicle. Drivers might panic when they see blue flashing lights coming up behind them but experts say they should only move if it is safe to do so and they should never run a red light. Safety should be the utmost importance in an emergency and as much as drivers may think it is legal to urgently move to let an ambulance, fire engine or police vehicle pass, they could actually be breaking the law. Drivers should remain calm and ensure they can move their car safely to avoid getting in trouble with the law. Not only does this minimise the risk of accidents, but incorrectly letting an emergency service vehicle overtake could result in a fine of up to £1,000. The Highway Code stipulates that motorists must take appropriate action to allow an emergency vehicle to pass, but this must still comply with all traffic signs. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. If you break the law while doing so, for example by entering a yellow box junction or bus lane, or by driving through a red light, penalties may be severe. Not only can you be fined, but some offences can also add three penalty points to your licence, reports Devon Live. The Highway Codes states: "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 traffic officer and incident support vehicles using flashing amber lights." It advises motorists to stop ahead of a hill's brow, to never mount the kerb, ensure others aren't put in jeopardy, and to avoid abrupt braking. Further guidance found on the Blue Light Aware website reads: 'Of course, there will be times when there simply is no room for an emergency service vehicle to get past, or perhaps its crew are activated by their control room to respond to an emergency while they are waiting with everyone else at the traffic lights. 'On these occasions, they know that other motorists are not allowed to 'jump' the red light, and the emergency vehicle would ideally not activate its sirens and lights until it was safe for the vehicle in front to cross the solid white line at the junction. 'On the (hopefully) rare occasions that a blue light vehicle, in 'emergency mode', is sitting behind another vehicle at a red traffic light, it's important to appreciate that it would be both very dangerous and illegal for the other vehicle to move across the solid white line." Last year Tim Alcock from has said: "Many motorists in the UK will be shocked to find out they risk eye-watering fines for letting an emergency vehicle pass. With the best intentions, it is most people's instinct to move out of the way when they hear sirens so ambulance drivers, firefighters and police officers can get to an emergency quickly. "We are not saying for one minute not to move for emergency vehicles but please ensure it's done safely and within the law. "If drivers break traffic laws while moving out of the way, they could be handed a careless or dangerous driving charge and slapped with huge fines and penalty points. For example, moving through a red light for an emergency vehicle is a traffic light offence and could land drivers with a discretionary disqualification or hefty fine because it could lead to a crash. "This may sound ridiculous and unfair, but anyone found to be endangering themselves or other road users will be punished for breaking the law if caught out. Getting stuck with a blue light vehicle behind you is stressful, but it is important to keep a cool head and always follow the rules of the road to avoid being stung with avoidable fines."
