‘They can’t do that, that’s illegal!’ Drivers whinge about police car with sirens bypassing traffic to turn – but not everyone agrees with them
- Woman ranting about police officer’s ‘illegal’ move on dash cam roasted online
- Cop car with flashing lights passed stationary traffic at lights to make right turn
- Woman heard on dash cam claiming the move filmed in Castle Hill was illegal
- NSW Police assured the manoeuvre was legal and had support from motorists
Dash cam footage of a police car overtaking stationary traffic only to make a right hand turn has divided opinion online.
The ‘illegal’ move sparked anger from an outraged driver who captured the moment on her dash cam at a busy Castle Hill intersection in Sydney’s north-west.
However, many motorists disagreed with her that the officer was breaking the law and NSW Police confirmed the manoeuvre was completely legal.
The footage shows a police car with its lights flashing and sirens blaring past them on the left in the lane next to them before turning.
With its lights flashing, the NSW police car (left) passes stationary traffic waiting to turn right
‘That’s illegal what he’s doing isn’t it,’ the woman exclaims.
‘Isn’t what he’s doing illegal? He can’t just stop the traffic just to turn right.’
The woman continues her rant well after the police car was out of sight.
‘Like hello, how is that legal?’ she continues.
‘He just did an illegal thing! Everyone is in shock with what he’s done.’
NSW Police have since confirmed officers are exempt from certain road rules if they are responding to an incident
The footage, which was filmed in September, has divided social media.
‘This was sent in with the description ‘Police illegal use of powers,’ Dash Cam Owners Australia posted when the footage was uploaded onto its Facebook page on Monday.
The footage sparked more than 50,000 views within an hour and was inundated with comments that disagreed.
The woman expressed outrage as the police car turned right before the waiting traffic
‘He has his lights on they could have been responding to a situation. They have all authority to go through. Just as ambos and fire fighters would. You got to make room for them, they ain’t gonna wait in traffic like everyone else when those sirens, come on,’ one person commented.
The woman heard ranting in the dam cam was roasted online.
‘I’m lost for words. She needs to redo her licence,’ one person commented.
Another added: ‘What rock has she been hiding under. Seriously if you don’t know the rules that apply to emergency vehicles under light and sirens you shouldn’t have a licence. You’re an accident waiting to happen.’
The moment that has divided internet happened at a Castle Hill intersection last September
Dash Cam Owners Australia later posted within the comments the video was uploaded to point out the stupidity of it.
NSW Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that officers have exemptions to breach certain road rules under road rule regulation 305.
‘These exemptions are absolutely necessary for police to be able to keep the community safe. For the exemption to apply police are required to act within a certain criteria and must always exercise reasonable care,’ an emailed statement read.