The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, when responding to an emergency call, or when in pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law, or when responding to but not upon returning from a fire alarm, or when engaged in legitimate police enforcement activity, may exercise the privileges set forth in this section but subject to the conditions herein stated.
A. The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle may:
1. Park or stand a vehicle, irrespective of 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. Exceed the maximum speed limit so long as the driver does not endanger life or property;
4. Disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specified directions.
B. The exemptions granted in subsection A of this section shall apply only when the vehicle is making use of audible and visual signals meeting the requirements of State law, and the exemption granted in subsection A1 of this section shall apply only when the vehicle is making use of visual signals meeting the requirements of State law unless using the signals would cause an obstruction to the normal flow of traffic; except that an authorized emergency vehicle being operated as a police vehicle while in actual pursuit of a suspected violator of any provision of this chapter or any provision of State law applicable to drivers and vehicles in this City need not display or make use of audible and visual signals so long as pursuit is being made to obtain verification of or evidence of the guilt of the suspected violator.
C. The provisions of this section 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 the provisions protect the driver from the consequences of the driver's reckless disregard for the safety of others.
D. The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle shall carry in the vehicle at all times the designation required by State law attesting to the fact that the vehicle has been designated by the State Motor Vehicle Agency as an authorized emergency vehicle by virtue of its use for the preservation of life or property, or for the execution of emergency governmental functions, but failure to carry the written designation shall not affect the status of the vehicle as an authorized emergency vehicle. (1968 Code §6-24-7; Ord. 75-86; Ord. 01-42; Ord. 02-171)