The provisions of this title regulating the operation, parking and standing of vehicles shall apply to authorized emergency vehicles, as defined in G.S. §§ 20-145 and 20-146, except as follows:
(A) Unless otherwise directed by a police officer, a driver, when operating such vehicle in any emergency, may:
(1) Park or stand, notwithstanding the provisions of this title;
(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 prima facie 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 specified directions, so long as he or she does not endanger life or property.
(B) The foregoing exemptions shall not, however, protect the driver of any such vehicle from the consequence of his or her reckless disregard for the safety of others.
(1997 Code, § 70.06)