(A) (1) The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, when operating any such vehicle in an emergency, may exercise the privileges set forth in this section unless otherwise directed by a police officer, but subject to the conditions herein stated.
(2) Said driver may:
(a) Park or stand at any location;
(b) Proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, but only after slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation;
(c) Exceed the prima facie speed limit so long as he or she does not endanger life or property; and
(d) Disregard regulations governing the direction of movement or turning in specified directions.
(B) The exemptions herein granted shall apply only when the driver of any said vehicle shall sound a 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 or blue light visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of 500 feet from the front of such vehicle, except that an authorized emergency vehicle operated as a police vehicle need not be equipped with or display a red or blue light visible from in front of the vehicle.
(C) The foregoing provisions shall not relieve the driver of any 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.
(Prior Code, § 61.05) Penalty, see § 70.999