(A) Exemptions from provisions. The provisions of this traffic code shall not apply to a driver of an authorized emergency vehicle when responding to an emergency call or when in the pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law or when responding to, but not upon returning from, a fire alarm. The exemptions herein granted to an authorized emergency vehicle shall apply only when the driver of the vehicle, while in motion, sounds audible signal by bell, siren or exhaust whistle as may be reasonably necessary, and when the vehicle is equipped with at least one lighted lamp displaying a red light visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of 500 feet to the front of the vehicle; except that, an authorized emergency vehicle operated as a police vehicle need not be equipped with or display a red light visible from in front of the vehicle. This division (A) shall not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons, nor shall such provisions protect the driver from the consequences of his or her reckless disregard for the safety of others.
(B) Operation of vehicle on approach of authorized emergency vehicle. Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of audible and visual signals meeting the requirements of the laws of the state, or of a police vehicle properly and lawfully making use of an audible signal only, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer. This division (B) shall not be construed to require a peace officer operating a police vehicle properly and lawfully in response to a crime in progress to use audible signals, nor shall this division (B) operate to relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway.
(C) Following fire apparatus and other emergency vehicles.
(1) The driver of any vehicle, other than one on official business, shall not follow any fire apparatus traveling in response to a fire alarm closer than 500 feet or drive into or park such vehicle within the block where the fire apparatus has stopped in answer to a fire alarm.
(2) The driver of any vehicle, other than one on official business, shall not follow any emergency vehicle or shall not purposely drive to any location on a highway where an emergency exists which would interfere with the free movement of authorized emergency vehicles or any other traffic using the highway at that location. For the purpose of this division (C)(2), the definition of EMERGENCY shall include traffic accidents, airplane accidents, disasters, explosions, civil disturbances and (without limitation by the foregoing) any other related circumstances which tend to cause traffic congestion.
(3) The purpose of this division (C) is to eliminate sightseers and other persons who do not have official business at the scene of an emergency and whose presence would tend to cause traffic congestion.
(D) Driving over fire hose. No vehicle shall be driven over any unprotected hose of a fire department when laid down on any street or private driveway, to be used at any fire or alarm of fire, without the consent of the Fire Department official in command.
(Prior Code, § 6-3-2) Penalty, see § 70.99