Motorists have been reminded to give way to emergency service vehicles with lights and sirens, after dash cam footage emerged of a car and police vehicle in a minor collision.
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The NSW Traffic and Highway Patrol vehicle in the region on Saturday had its lights activated as officers attempted to turn left through a red light at the intersection of Fallon and Mate streets in North Albury.
A red Ford sedan is seen to pause when driving through the green light then, when the police car makes a move to turn left in front of the vehicle, it drives forward again.
The front of the police car then taps the side of the other vehicle.
The incident was captured on the dash cam of the car following behind.
NSW Police confirmed the incident was being investigated.
“The highway patrol car received minor damage,” a spokeswoman said in a statement.
“The other car was not damaged.
“Particulars were exchanged and no one was injured.”
A woman’s voice in the car with the dash cam can be heard blaming police for the collision.
“Why did the copper do that? He’s seen him there, he’s in the wrong that cop,” she says.
“He seen that guy and he only had to wait – you were in the wrong.”
But the NSW Police statement dismissed the woman’s assumption the police vehicle should have waited.
“The expectation for motorists to give way to emergency services vehicles that have lights and sirens (warning devices) activated are outlined in the Australian road rules,” the statement read.
Albury police confirmed motorists should to give way to police in the case of an emergency.
The maximum fine for drivers who do not move out of the way is upwards of $2000.
Roads and Maritime Service advises motorists to pull over to the left for emergency services.
“When you hear a siren or see the flashing blue or red lights of an emergency vehicle (eg police, fire brigade or ambulance vehicle) you must give way,” the website states.
“This means get out of the way, so the emergency vehicle has a clear passage through traffic.”