Police target drivers over fire station red lights

THE Tayside Division of Police Scotland today vowed to clamp down on drivers who ignore the flashing red lights outside fire stations as Dundee firefighters respond to emergency calls.
Drivers who ignore flashing red lights outside fire stations face a fine and three points on their licence. Picture: TSPLDrivers who ignore flashing red lights outside fire stations face a fine and three points on their licence. Picture: TSPL
Drivers who ignore flashing red lights outside fire stations face a fine and three points on their licence. Picture: TSPL

The force issued the warning after receiving reports about drivers ignoring the lights and driving through them as fire appliances were leaving stations in the city on fire calls.

A force spokesman said: “These alternately flashing red lights are for controlling traffic and if illuminated mean that motorists must stop. Drivers are ignoring these lights and driving through them as fire appliances are leaving stations to attend emergency calls.

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“This is of particular concern outside Blackness Fire Station but there have also been reports of this happening outside Kingsway East and Macalpine Road fire stations. Officers will monitor and carry out enforcement which could see drivers receiving three penalty points endorsed to their licence and £100 fine.”

Inspector Grant Edward said: “These are the same form of traffic signals which are widely installed at level crossings, lifting bridges and airfields. They have been installed by the roads authority to ensure that fire appliances attending emergency calls can leave the fire stations and access the roads network quickly. When they are illuminated then vehicles must stop at the white stop line and remain stopped until the lights are extinguished and it safe to proceed.

Motorists who fail to observe these light signals controlling traffic pose a danger not only to themselves but also to the fire crews onboard the appliances and offenders will therefore be dealt with robustly. This offence is the same as driving through a red traffic light and at the very minimum offenders can expect to receive a Fixed Penalty ticket of £100 with a three penalty point endorsement on their driving licence.”

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