SEC. 80.05. EXEMPTIONS TO CERTAIN VEHICLES.

   (Amended by Ord. No. 181,585, Eff. 3/30/11.)

   (a)   The provisions of this chapter regulating the operation, parking and standing of vehicles shall not apply to any Police or Fire Department vehicle, or any public ambulance or any public utility vehicle, or any private ambulance, which public utility or private ambulance has qualified as an authorized emergency vehicle, when any vehicle mentioned in this section is operated in the manner specified in the Vehicle Code in response to an emergency call.

   Nor shall the provisions of this chapter regulating the operation, parking and standing of vehicles apply to any vehicle or cart of the Transportation Department while used by a Traffic Officer, or of the Los Angeles Police Department while used by a law enforcement officer, in the performance of such person's official duties.

   (b)   The foregoing exemptions shall not, however, protect the driver of any such vehicle from the consequences of his or her willful disregard of the safety of others.

   (c)   The provisions of this chapter regulating the parking or standing of vehicles shall not apply to any vehicle of a City department or public utility while necessarily in use for construction or repair work, or while engaged in the collection of garbage or noncombustible rubbish, where compliance therewith would obstruct such operation, or any vehicle owned by the United States while in use for the collection, transportation or delivery of United States mail, or to any vehicle owned and operated by the Department of Defense during periods of proclaimed national emergency.

   (d)   Pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 21114.5, Los Angeles Police Officers are authorized to deploy and operate three-wheeled electric vehicles/carts on public sidewalks during the course of their employment.