(A) The 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 ordinance or when responding to but not upon returning from a fire alarm, may exercise the privileges set forth in this section, but subject to the conditions herein stated.
(B) The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle may:
(1) Park or stand 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 limits so long as he or she does not endanger life or property; and
(4) Disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specific directions.
(C) The exemptions herein granted to an authorized emergency vehicle shall apply only when the driver of any such vehicle is making use of audible and visual signals as required by law, 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.
(D) The operator of every authorized emergency vehicle, prior to commencing an emergency run, must report to the Police Department and advise the Police Department of his or her destination, and if such a hazard exists as would endanger the public, the Police Department shall have the authority to prohibit the emergency run.
(E) 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 protect the driver from the consequences of his or her reckless disregard for all the safety of others.
(Prior Code, § 70.115)
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, see 47 O.S. § 11-106
Required emergency vehicle signals; procedures, see 47 O.S. § 12-218