Regional Talk > New York > [Need Info] Are fire trucks supposed to treat red light as stop

[Need Info] Are fire trucks supposed to treat red light as stop

quote:

---

The fire engine did not come to a complete stop at a red light as required by state law, according to the Journal report. State law requires emergency vehicles to stop at red lights, even if their lights and flashing and sirens blaring.

The FDNY told the paper that after stopping, fire trucks can proceed with caution if the intersection is clear.

---

Re: [Need Info] Are fire trucks supposed to treat red light as s

trafrule.pdf 467011 bytes

reply to damn
Im sorry to hear about your friend.

I have always been taught to yield to the right of way of an emergency vehicle.

That being the case, I was ticketed for reckless driving when an undercover made an illegal u-turn in front of me and almost caused 3 accidents.

I went to court and was given a deal with no points no suspension but a mildly high fine ($250).

I explained to the judge that the undercover police officer had made an illegal u-turn with no lights on.

He explained that you must always yield to the way of an emergency vehicle (in my case police), the cop stated I was in violation of a police investigation of a suspicious vehicle.

FWIW, I would tell your friend to lawyer up because this can drag on.
--
What a great place to be 127.0.0.1

reply to damn
Yes, the fire engine is supposed to stop/yield at red lights... but that doesn't change the fact that your friend doesn't get a ticket for failure to yield himself, as he did fail to yield to sirens.

Now if it comes down to insurance and who is at fault, well the fire engine is at fault because it did the physical hitting, and failed to stop/yield.

Theoretically the engine should have received a ticket as well... both vehicles performed a ticketable offense, but the engine is at fault for the accident.

reply to damn
I live just off of Houston Street, three blocks from the Fire Station, and it's not unusual to see fire engines rolling through red lights or even going the wrong way up a one way street while enroute to a fire.. That's how they keep their response times low. On the way back to the fire house, or when picking up groceries at the local supermarket, they seem to observe the same traffic laws as everyone else.

One time I stepped out the door to see a cab collide with the local ladder company as the truck crossed the median on Houston. The cabbie had to be extricated using the jaws of life. The firemen had to rearrange their flag.

Sure your friend, or his insurance company, could sue the City in City Court, but he's not likely to get a whole lot of sympathy. Courts tend to look at these things in terms of degrees of responsibility. I know if my building was burning, I wouldn't want firemen to circle the block, stopping for every red light and yielding to every pedestrian who meanders into the street. I suspect most New Yorkers feel the same way. People are likely to think anyone who fails to yield to a fire engine truck, traveling with lights on and siren blaring, probably shouldn't be behind the wheel.

reply to damn
When lights and sirens are on, you are supposed to yield the right of way to either a fire or police vehicle.
--
Hello, is anyone out there.

reply to damn
Heard on 1010wins that we're suppose to yield to all vehicles with flashing lights.. even tow trucks with the yellow ones if they're on.

reply to RealoRc
I think that applies to the 'move-over' law, not general right-of-way.

reply to damn
You'll defiintely need a lawyer, -- NYC has some very difficult laws if you intend to sue them for the accident (I believe that would get handled through the insurance company however).

I would get a lawyer (on principle) about the failure to yield ticket. I always pull over when I see an emergency services vehicle but sometimes even with the sirens you just dont know where they are coming from. Sitting it out doesn't help as i've seen plenty of EMS vehicles stuck behind someone that couldn't see them behind them
--
~ Insert a Funny Sig Here ~

reply to damn

quote:

---

§ 1144. Operation of vehicles on approach of authorized emergency vehicles.

(a) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle equipped with at least one lighted lamp exhibiting red light visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of five hundred feet to the front of such vehicle other than a police vehicle or bicycle when operated as an authorized emergency vehicle, and when audible signals are sounded from any said vehicle by siren, exhaust whistle, bell, air-horn or electronic equivalent; the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right of way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway, or to either edge of a one-way roadway three or more lanes in width, clear of any intersection, and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.
(b) This section shall not operate to relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with reasonable care for all persons using the highway.

---

quote:

---

What should I do if I am approached by an emergency vehicle with its light and sirens going?

When approached (from the front or rear) by an emergency vehicle whose light and siren are activated the driver of every other vehicle must yield the right of way. In yielding the right of way, you must drive immediately to the right hand edge or curb of the roadway, parallel to the roadway, and clear of any intersection. You must stop and remain stopped until the emergency vehicle or vehicles have passed, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.

---

reply to RealoRc

reply to tmpchaos

quote:

---

New York's Move Over Law Has Changed

Effective January 1, 2012

Protects law enforcement officers, emergency workers, tow and service vehicle operators and other maintenance workers stopped along roadways while performing their duties.

Drivers must use due care when approaching an emergency vehicle that displays red and/or white emergency lighting:
On all roads and highways, drivers must reduce speed;
On Parkways and other controlled access highways with multiple lanes, when approaching an emergency vehicle that displays red and/or white emergency lighting or a hazard vehicle displaying flashing amber lighting, drivers must move from the lane immediately adjacent to the emergency or hazard vehicle, unless traffic or other hazards exist to prevent doing so safely.
Penalties:

Violations of this law are punishable as a moving violation.

---

reply to damn
You can obtain the most recent revision of the NYS VTL from any DMV for about $3.50 last i checked.

reply to AVD

reply to damn
About a year ago I watched a Fire Truck turn the corner without stopping hitting an individual. LOL it was funny but not funny. the guy got out of the truck and asked if he was ok. The guy was just pissed off and kept waving his hands and walked away.