Canisdirus

I don't need to drive one to understand the laws in my state.

Ambulances with light and sirens on are allowed to go through red lights...with caution.

They don't EVER have to stop and wait for the green.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Thank you
I was the mechanic for 9 years
I don't know what the licensing is required in Missouri at this time, but in the 90s all they had to have was a Missouri DL.
We had a similar accident but the pregnant, driver and baby were Dead on impact the passenger was unhurt ,full broad side drives side, the traffic was stopped and the lane open the ambulance had slow to 40-45 mph, just as the ambulance reached the intersection a car pulled around the pickup in front of and pulled out in front of the ambulance The Ambulance driver somehow locked the anti- lock brakes but it was too late.
There was an investigation by the NTSB and everyone that drove an ambulance for any reason was required to attend a one evening class the whole class centered on common sense .
The outcome of the investigation was the ambulance had entered the intersection at to high of a speed!!
There were no criminal charges considered !!
The Driver was fired but sued and got his job back the district policy was stop look and proceed at all intersections.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

And what do consider with caution to be ?
Unit you have been behind the wheel of an Ambulance or Fire truck you can only imagine what goes on when people hear a siren !!! or see flashing lights.

Canisdirus

So which is it now...
Can an ambulance go through a red light in your mind or not?

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Only after a complete stop, which has been a rule (for over 20years) not a law In My State

Canisdirus

Since that has zero bearing on the article...so what.

Harry02 Loc: Gardena, CA

Out here one kop got "talked to" for racing other kops to a Krispy Kreme.

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

Most major EMS systems have "Response Time Requirements" written into their contracts. If a provider is not meeting the response times (they do get audited) they can be fined/penalized for each out of compliance response. So it is in the best financial interest of the provider to meet the response times. There is usually wiggle room in the contracts that allows for identified "rural areas". Here in lies the problem with racing to a 9-1-1 calls to meet response times.

I have been an EMS auditor for these contracts, an accident investigator, QI/QI Program developer and have seen the outcomes first hand from high performance driving in emergency apparatus (ambulances/fire engines/police cars).

Longshadow's statement about a few 3 minute lights is true in heavy traffic (gridlock). However, it is up to the providers to monitor their response times based on known traffic congestion, access to hospitals and routes (including weather history). The use of "System Status Management" (SSM) studies the areas call patterns and attempts to balance out placement of EMS resources through a Computer Aided Dispatach System (CAD) which dynamically posts vehicles to average out response time needs. SSM is one of the real first uses of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to predict where calls will happen.

The takeaway? Education. Make sure drivers know to pull to right and stop for emergency vehicles. And...You will see the lights of an emergency vehicle WAY BEFORE you ever hear a siren.

Canonuser Loc: UK and South Africa

In the UK Police drivers have to drive with due care and attention and in a manner that is not dangerous to the public or other drivers.
They would never get a ticket for going through a red light if the above is taken into account. Obviously if there is no other traffic about or it has stopped, this is not a problem. However if there is a collision or someone is injured the officer may by prosecuted for reckless, dangerous or careless driving according to the circumstances. Going though a red light would form part of the evidence, but there would be no red light ticket involved if the officer was attending an emergency.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That is a super stupid idea. Rushing is never good. Planes and trains have crashed trying to keep to the schedule.

pbearperry Loc: Massachusetts

I can't speak for all States, however in Mass. all emergency vehicles with lights and sirens on must stop for red lights and then go with caution.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

What I've seen locally is emergency vehicles slowing down a bit before going through a red light.

We had a tragedy in my hometown years ago. Two fire engines were rushing to a fire, heading toward the same intersection. The woman crossing guard tried to stop them, but she was killed when they collided, as were some of the firemen.