A. Privileges Of Authorized Emergency Vehicles:
1. When responding to an emergency call or when in the pursuit of an actual or suspected perpetrator of a felony or when in response to an incident dangerous to the public or when responding to but not upon returning from a fire alarm, the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle may exercise the privileges set forth in this section.
2. The driver of any authorized emergency vehicle may:
a. Park or stand an authorized emergency vehicle, irrespective of the provisions of this code.
b. Disregard laws or regulations governing direction of movement for the minimum distance necessary before an alternative otherwise lawful route is available.
3. The driver of a fire department vehicle, police vehicle or ambulance may:
a. Proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign but only after slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation.
b. Exceed the maximum speed limits so long as the driver does not endanger life or property.
4. The exceptions authorized emergency vehicles granted under subsections A2 and A3 of this section shall apply only when such vehicle is making use of an audible signaling device meeting the requirements of the code of Iowa, as amended, or a visual signaling device approved by the department of transportation or its successor, except use of an audible or visual signaling device shall not be required when exercising the exemption granted under subsection A3b of this section when the vehicle is operated by a peace officer pursuing a suspected violator of the speed restrictions imposed by or pursuant to this code for the purpose of determining the speed of travel of such suspected violator.
5. 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 such provisions protect the driver from the consequences of the driver's reckless disregard for the safety of others. (1978 Code §23-123; amd. 1994 Code)
B. Operation Of Vehicles On Approach Of Authorized Emergency Vehicle:
1. Upon the approach of an authorized emergency vehicle with any lamp or device displaying a red light or upon the approach of an authorized emergency vehicle of a fire department displaying a blue light or when a driver is giving audible signal by siren, exhaust whistle or bell, the drivers of other vehicles 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 or curb of the highway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a peace officer. For the purposes of this subsection, "red light" or "blue light" means a light or lighting device that, when illuminated, will exhibit a solid flashing or strobing red or blue light.
2. This provision shall not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the street, nor shall this provision protect the driver of any such vehicle from the consequences of an arbitrary exercise of such right of way. (1978 Code §23-169; amd. 1994 Code)
C. Following Fire Apparatus; Parking Near Fires: No driver of any vehicle, other than a driver on official business, shall follow closer than three hundred feet (300') of any fire apparatus traveling in response to a fire alarm, nor shall any driver of any vehicle drive into or stop any vehicle within the block where fire apparatus has stopped in answer to a fire alarm 1 . (1978 Code §23-133; amd. 1994 Code)
D. Crossing Fire Hose: No vehicle shall be driven over any unprotected hose of the fire department when laid down on any street or private driveway without the consent of the fire department. (1978 Code §23-134; amd. 1994 Code)
Notes
| 1 | 1. See subsection 9-4-1A13 of this title. |