Probe after police van and car collide at traffic lights at the junction of Bayham Street and Plender Street

Published: 26 August, 2010
by CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS

AN investigation has been launched after a police response van and a car collided in Camden Town on Saturday.

The crash involving the Camden Response Team van and a Renault Megane occurred at the junction of Bayham Street and Plender Street at about 5.30pm. It resulted in the car, driven by a woman, spinning across the junction.

The police van was travelling with blue lights and siren on as it responded to a report of rowdy behaviour at a pub in High Holborn, the Penderel’s Oak. 

The woman driver was taken to hospital suffering from shock but was released later that day. 

She has not lodged a complaint about the incident, a police press officer said. Police helped the woman out of the car, lay her on the ground and called an ambulance, an eye-witness said.

A 65-year-old man, who was sitting outside the Parr’s Head pub, said the lights were red for the police. He added: “The police were going at great speed. They were lucky they didn’t topple over.” 

Police rejected requests from the New Journal for a comment on the status of the traffic lights at the scene of the accident, saying it would be “inappropriate” to do so during an investigation.

According to the Police Driver and Vehicle Policy, which refers to the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002, police are allowed to go through red lights but are expected to slow down at junctions and check for other traffic.

The guide states that, while exemptions for emergency vehicles are in place, it is on the proviso that they do not “cause the driver of another vehicle to change speed or course to avoid an accident”.

A police press officer said: “We are exempt from red lights but, even with blue lights flashing and two-tones [sirens], obviously great care is taken at all times.”

She added: “The police van was attending a call and had its lights and siren on at the time of the collision.” 

The investigation into the accident is being carried out by the police’s Traffic Operational Command Unit, based in Alperton.