The provisions of this chapter regulating the operation, parking and standing of vehicles shall apply to authorized emergency vehicles, except that a driver, when operating any such vehicle in an emergency, may:
(1) Park or stand, notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter.
(2) Proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, but only after slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation.
(3) Disregard regulations governing direction or movement or turning in specified directions, so long as he does not endanger life or property.
These exemptions shall not protect the driver of any such vehicle from the consequences of his reckless disregard for the safety of others.
(Code 1965, § 28-11)