(A) No person shall operate an ambulance in a manner not conforming to the provisions of the motor vehicle laws and regulations of the state or of the city as such provisions apply to motor vehicles in general, except as hereinafter set forth; and, unless the person operating the ambulance shall be either responding to a bona fide emergency call or specifically directed by a licensed physician to disregard traffic laws in operating the ambulance during and for the purpose of a specific trip or journey that is involved.
(B) Subject to the provisions of (A) above the driver of an ambulance may:
(1) Park or stand, irrespective of the otherwise applicable provisions of law, ordinance, or regulation;
(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 limits permitted by law, ordinance, or regulation so long as he does not endanger life or property; and
(4) Disregard laws, ordinances, or regulations governing direction or movement or turning in specified directions.
(C) The exemptions herein granted shall apply only when such ambulance is making use of audible and visual signals meeting the requirements of law, ordinance, or regulation.
(D) The foregoing provisions shall not relieve the driver of an ambulance 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 reckless disregard for the safety of others.
(Ord. 5913, passed 4-11-72; Am. Ord. 8401, passed 12-7-04; Am. Ord. 9061, passed 8-2-16)
Statutory reference:
Conditions for operation of ambulance, see ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5, § 11-1421