A. Authorized Vehicles:
1. Exercise Of Privileges: 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 subsection, but subject to the conditions stated in this subsection.
2. Authorized Actions: The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle may do any of the following when in pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law or ordinance, or when responding to but not upon returning from a fire alarm:
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 maximum speed limits so long as life or property is not endangered; or
d. Disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specific directions.
3. Signals Required: The exemptions granted in this subsection 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.
4. Due Regard Of Safety: The provisions of this subsection 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 his reckless disregard for the safety of others. (1988 Code § 15-211)
B. Operation Of Vehicles Upon Approach Of Emergency Vehicle:
1. Specified: Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of audible and visual signals meeting the requirements of the laws of this State, or of a police vehicle properly and lawfully making use of an audible signal only, 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 or curb of the roadway 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 police officer.
2. Due Regard Of Safety: This subsection 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. (1988 Code § 15-212)
C. Following Emergency Vehicles Prohibited: The driver of any vehicle other than one on official business shall not follow any police vehicle, ambulance, civil defense vehicle, fire apparatus or other emergency vehicle traveling in response to an emergency call or request closer than five hundred feet (500'), or drive into or park such vehicle within the block where the emergency vehicle has stopped in answer to an emergency call. (1988 Code § 15-213)
D. Notification Of Runs: It is unlawful for any person to drive on the streets of the City any emergency vehicle, including, but not limited to, police patrol cars, fire trucks, ambulances, Sheriff's cars, highway patrol cars and police motorcycles, while sounding a siren, horn, bell or other noise-making device designed to forewarn the populace of the approach of such vehicle, without first advising the Police Department by contacting the police dispatcher on duty of his intention to make an emergency run and giving the name of the person making the run, the destination, the route which they intend to travel and the nature of the emergency. (1988 Code § 15-229)