Can ambulances run red lights?
1 Answers
Ambulances are permitted to run red lights when performing emergency tasks. To prevent traffic accidents in such situations, ambulances must activate their sirens and emergency lights. Under normal driving conditions, ambulances cannot run red lights. The Road Traffic Safety Law, Article 53, stipulates: Police cars, fire engines, ambulances, and engineering rescue vehicles performing emergency tasks may use sirens and warning lights. Provided safety is ensured, they are not restricted by driving routes, directions, speeds, or traffic signals. Other vehicles and pedestrians must yield. Additionally, Article 50, Section 2 of the Road Traffic Safety Law states: Police cars, fire engines, ambulances, and engineering rescue vehicles not performing emergency tasks must not use sirens or warning lights and do not enjoy the road priority rights specified in the preceding article. Drivers of civilian vehicles suspected of failing to yield to emergency vehicles face a 3-point penalty and fines. Public Security Administration Punishment Law of the People's Republic of China, Article 50: Those obstructing the passage of emergency vehicles such as fire engines, ambulances, engineering rescue vehicles, or police cars performing urgent tasks will receive a warning or fines. In severe cases, detention of 5 to 10 days and fines may apply. Intentionally following an ambulance through a red light results in a 6-point penalty and fines. Traffic violations caused by actively yielding—such as stopping over the line, driving outside designated lanes, occupying bus lanes, or using non-motorized lanes—will be promptly dismissed by traffic police based on the ambulance's travel path. Procedural Regulations for Handling Road Traffic Safety Violations, Article 22: Traffic violations recorded by monitoring devices or entered into the traffic violation management system will be dismissed within three days of verification if they meet specified conditions. Road Traffic Safety Violation Points System, Article 3: Drivers committing any of the following violations receive 3 points per offense: Operating passenger vehicles (excluding buses) or school buses with passengers exceeding the approved capacity by less than 20%. Driving medium-sized or larger passenger/cargo vehicles or hazardous material transporters on non-highway/expressway roads, or other vehicles exceeding speed limits by less than 20%. Operating trucks with cargo exceeding approved weight by less than 30%. Driving below minimum speed limits on highways. Operating vehicles prohibited from entering highways. Driving improperly in highway or expressway lanes. Failing to slow, stop, or yield to pedestrians at crosswalks.
