Silly Law
Since this is an "emergency vehicle" issue I posted it in this section.
How often do you see police cars, fire trunks and ambulances with lights and sirens on blowing through red lights at intersections?
Often.
And I think they should be allowed too as long as they're on a call and blow the light when its clearly safe to do so.
Under s. 144.1 an "emergency vehicle" is defined.
Traffic control signals and pedestrian control signals
144. (1) In this section,
"driver" includes an operator of a street car; ("conducteur")
"emergency vehicle" means,
(a) a vehicle while used by a person in the lawful performance of his or her duties as a police officer, on which a siren is continuously sounding and from which intermittent flashes of red light or red and blue light are visible in all directions, or
(b) either of the following vehicles, on which a siren is continuously sounding and from which intermittent flashes of red light are visible in all directions:
(i) a fire department vehicle while proceeding to a fire or responding to, but not while returning from, a fire alarm or other emergency call, or
(ii) an ambulance while responding to an emergency call or being used to transport a patient or injured person in an emergency situation; ("vehicule de secours")
Under s. 141 (18) a red light is defined and articulates every driver shall stop and not proceed untill a green light is shown.
Red light
(18) Every driver approaching a traffic control signal showing a circular red indication and facing the indication shall stop his or her vehicle and shall not proceed until a green indication is shown.
Under s. 141 (20), all emergency vehicles are required to stop before blowing the red light.
Exception – emergency vehicle
(20) Despite subsection (18), a driver of an emergency vehicle, after stopping the vehicle, may proceed without a green indication being shown if it is safe to do so.
This could be a great revenge provision.
Next time you see a cop blow a red light chase him down and charge him.
The penalty for blowing a red light is currently $150 to $500 but it's soon being raised to $200 to $1000.
Penalty for disobeying red or amber light
(31.2) Every person who contravenes subsection (15) or (18) is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not less than $150 and not more than $500.
(31.2.1) Every person who contravenes subsection (18) is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not less than $200 and not more than $1,000. 2009, c. 5, s. 44 (2).
But be careful, chasing another vehicle is a stunt driving offence.
http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/regs/e ... 0455_e.htm
Definition, "race" and "contest"
2. (1) For the purposes of section 172 of the Act, "race" and "contest" include any activity where one or more persons engage in any of the following driving behaviours:
...
2. Driving a motor vehicle in a manner that indicates an intention to chase another motor vehicle.