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28 THE QUEENS COURIER • NOVEMBER 28, 2019 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM PAST THE RED LIGHT Q: I was sitting in the front passenger seat in my mother’s limo, and my daughter was sitting behind me. At an intersection controlled by traffic lights, a fire-department ambulance collided with us. A: According to section 1110(a) of the Vehicle and Traffic Law, “Every person shall obey the instructions of any official traffic-control device applicable to him placed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, unless otherwise directed by a traffic or police officer, subject to the exceptions granted the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle in this title.” Our courts deem a driver who enters an intersection against a red traffic light in violation of section 1110(a) to be ‘negligent as a matter of law’. The city, its fire department and the ambulance driver will want to show (a) that the ambulance entered the intersection with a green light, (b) that your limo entered with a red light, and (b) that your chauffer’s failure to yield the right-of-way was the ‘sole proximate cause’ of this tragedy. Your chauffer and your mother will want to show the converse: (a) that the limo entered with green, (b) that the ambulance entered with red, and (b) that the failure of its driver was the ‘sole proximate cause’. To the extent that your chauffer and mother do this, then the city, its fire department and the ambulance driver will want to show that, nevertheless, the ambulance was an ‘authorized emergency vehicle’ exempted under section 1104 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law. Under section 1104, the driver of an ambulance generally may proceed past a red light, when (a) the ambulance is involved in an emergency operation, displays at least one red light, and has slowed down, and (b) the driver has sounded a siren and drives “with due regard for the safety of all persons”. Our courts have held that, if the siren and lights on the ambulance were not activated, then unquestionably the driver was driving with reckless disregard. THE GROOVEYARD HAS A DECEMBER TO REMEMBER December 7 and 14 • 7 – 10 PM The Greatest Hits and Forgotten Favorites! Top Ten at 8 PM • Party Hour at 9 PM Hosted by Alan Seltzer More greats on the Saturday edition of The Rock Show at 10 PM! December 21 • 7 – 10 PM Three hours of great doo-wop and early rock holiday favorites! December 28 • 7 – midnight* The 8th Annual Great 88 Countdown Special! All the songs on the Great 88 in order on the air! * or following end of basketball game. (Survey will be heard in it's entirety.) wcwpgrooveyard.com Now through December 7th Final Round – The Great 88 Pick 15 favorites daily on three different surveys December 16-27 The 12 Days of Greats: Videos of the dozen songs that just missed the Great 88 are announced each day. December 28 Videos and trivia for all the songs on the Great 88 The Grooveyard Where Oldies Come Alive! Call Now & End Your Tax Nightmare! �� Co-Author of the best selling book “Breaking the Tax Code” �� Salvatore P. Candela, EA, ATA, ABA Enrolled Agent - Tax Advisor �� MYRTLE AVE HOLIDAY SAVINGS EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK ON MYRTLE AVENUE Shop Myrtle Avenue (and side streets between Wyckoff Ave. & Fresh Pond Rd.) And Enjoy Our Holiday Lights & Music! Santa Pictures Bring Your Own Camera! A Special Surprise! Many stores will be open late during the holiday season Check individual stores for hours Watch for the Myrtle Ave. Holiday Savings Guide Dec 5th & 6th delivered in the Ridgewood area for Money saving coupons, Myrtle Ave store listing & 2020 Events Face Painting & Balloons Free Candy Canes Visit our website at www.Ridgewood-NY.com and (while supplies last) SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY NOV. 30TH, 12-3PM 71st AVENUE PLAZA (Just off Forest & Myrtle Avenues) Live Holiday Music by NYC Brass Entourage Where Santa Shops! /wcwpgrooveyard.com /WWW.QNS.COM /www.Ridgewood-NY.com /www.Ridgewood-NY.com