(A) Operation of emergency vehicles.
(1) 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, may exercise the privileges set forth in this division, but subject to the conditions herein stated. The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle may:
(a) Park or stand, irrespective of the provisions of this title;
(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 speed limits so long as he or she does not endanger life or property; and
(d) Disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specified directions.
(2) The exemptions herein granted to an authorized emergency vehicle shall apply only when the driver of any 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 an oscillating, rotating or flashing beam 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 lighted lamp as required herein nor need the driver of a police vehicle, while in motion, sound an audible signal by bell, siren or exhaust whistle if the police vehicle is displaying an oscillating, rotating or flashing beam as described heretofore.
(3) The foregoing provisions 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 his or her reckless disregard for the safety of others.
(B) Duty of driver on approach of authorized emergency vehicle.
(1) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle operated as a police or fire vehicle giving audible signal by siren, exhaust whistle or bell or when the vehicle is equipped with at least one lighted lamp displaying an oscillating, rotating or flashing beam or upon the immediate approach of any other authorized emergency vehicle giving audible signal by siren, exhaust whistle or bell and when the other vehicle is equipped with at least one lighted lamp displaying an oscillating, rotating or flashing beam visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of 500 feet to the front of the vehicle, 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 of the curb, except on one-way streets where drivers shall drive as close as possible to the nearest edge of the curb of the roadway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in a position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer or a firefighter in the lawful exercise of his or her duty as provided in this title.
(2) This division shall not 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) Fire Department vehicles.
(1) Following fire apparatus. 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.
(2) Driving over fire hose. No motor vehicle shall be driven over an unprotected hose of the Fire Department when laid down on any street, private driveway or other public way to be used at any fire or alarm of fire without the consent of the Fire Department official in command.
(Prior Code, § 6-4-1) Penalty, see § 70.99