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Must a driver move through a red light if ordered to do so by a police officer?

I refer to MB of Guildford’s enquiry, and to your response, regarding what action to take if you are impeding an emergency vehicle on "blues and twos". He is correct when he says that motorists have been fined for, say, crossing the 'Stop' line at red traffic lights. One motorist wrote to a motoring magazine and said you should not do it. His letter elicited a reply from a senior police officer who said that if he were on "blues and twos" and a motorist failed to get out of his way, then he (the police officer) would prosecute the motorist for "obstructing a police officer in the execution of his duty". You can't win. The Home Office has never clarified this situation with directives to motorists and police as to the correct approach to be taken by both parties.

Asked on 22 September 2012 by NP, via email

Answered by Honest John
As I wrote, if you are instructed to go through a red light by a police officer in uniform, then you must do so. A liveried police car constitutes a police officer in uniform. A fire engine or an ambulance does not. But I agree. It is incredible that they can't get their act together and either make a sensible law or issue proper guidance.
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