Thread: Ambulances and red lights.

Originally Posted by CraigE

The question was asked about purple lights being used, They are RTA and recognised and can be used to pull vehicles over but they are not emergency lighting for response and have no validation in an emergency. Some of them will run combination LEDs now. Red/Blue/White or combinations of or individual colours are emergency lights. There are also green lights that dont get used much any more for clearing stations at an emergency scene.

In NSW, the RTA vehicle inspectors have the power to pull over trucks...anything over 4.5 tonne I think. Not cars.

If they were following me and tried to pull me over, I would politely wave and continue, as they have no stop and detain powers. Unless, as part of an environmental enforcement (modified vehicle enthusiasts) operation, a police officer pulls you over..then they, or an EPA inspector, have the power to inspect your vehicle. It may happen that they record my number and send me a letter to have it inspected though.

The oscar crews...the transit vans etc similar to above, cannot exceed the posted speed limit, nor chase. Their siren (and lights) can be activated if attending an MVA, so a path can be cleared. Again, they cannot exceed the speed limit. If stuck in traffic, it's siren off and wait.

Originally Posted by Disco44

Common sense by the Rural boys should prevail here .They should turn off the lights etc until they can get up to speed.

Or only use them when the traffic is going slower than they can travel at.

Had a vehicle fire on the highway today, they were going code red at 80km/h with cars overtaking them. Not really much point in having them on. They are only used to let vehicles know they need to move over, if the traffic is going faster than them why bother?

Originally Posted by CraigE

There are also green lights that dont get used much any more for clearing stations at an emergency scene.

Green lights should be designating a command post and only be displayed on a stationary vehicle.


Martyn

Originally Posted by Bushie

Green lights should be designating a command post and only be displayed on a stationary vehicle.


Martyn

Thats right Bushie, NSW police still use them, the Duty Officers vehicle has one in it for use in these situations. We just did the mandatory lectures on this.

Originally Posted by MickS

In NSW, the RTA vehicle inspectors have the power to pull over trucks...anything over 4.5 tonne I think. Not cars.

If they were following me and tried to pull me over, I would politely wave and continue, as they have no stop and detain powers. Unless, as part of an environmental enforcement (modified vehicle enthusiasts) operation, a police officer pulls you over..then they, or an EPA inspector, have the power to inspect your vehicle. It may happen that they record my number and send me a letter to have it inspected though.

The oscar crews...the transit vans etc similar to above, cannot exceed the posted speed limit, nor chase. Their siren (and lights) can be activated if attending an MVA, so a path can be cleared. Again, they cannot exceed the speed limit. If stuck in traffic, it's siren off and wait.

RTA can actually pull over any vehicle and check them for weight and compliance, my Father used to be RTA. Though generally they will only stick to heavy vehicles.

Originally Posted by Bushie

Green lights should be designating a command post and only be displayed on a stationary vehicle.


Martyn

Termed a clearing station or command post in WA, generally not used over here any more. I know there was discussion a year or two ago about abolishing them in WA altogether, I dont think that has happened yet, so they still can be used.
The only time I have actually seen them used is at Hazmat emergencies for decontamination zones.

Hi Guys,

Personally, I pull over no matter what. I make sure my intentions are very clear (a carry over from the yachtie days) and make the clearest route possible for the RED AND BLUE disco lights, after checking it's safe of course.

To be honest, weather it's a red light camera intersection or not wouldn't even factor into my decision to move aside, to the point where I don't take it into account even in normal day to day driving.

If i got fined I'd cop it sweet, and fight the good fight later on knowing I'd possibly helped some one.

Originally Posted by CraigE

RTA can actually pull over any vehicle and check them for weight and compliance, my Father used to be RTA. Though generally they will only stick to heavy vehicles.

Not in Queensland they cannot.They need real coppers on site and they do the pulling over.I understand that to be the same in NSW.