§ 71.08 EXEMPTIONS FROM TRAFFIC REGULATIONS.

   (A)   Except as provided in KRS 189.920, the speed limitations set forth in this traffic code do not apply to emergency vehicles when responding to emergency calls; police vehicles when in pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law; ambulances when transporting a patient to medical care facilities; or any vehicle used by an organ procurement organization while transporting a human organ or tissue for the purpose of organ recovery or transplantation in an emergency situation involving an imminent health risk; and emergency vehicles when the driver thereof is giving the warning required by division (E) below). No portion of this division shall be construed to relieve the driver of the duty to operate the vehicle with due regard for the safety of all persons using the street or highway.

   (B) The driver of an emergency vehicle, when responding to an emergency call or of a police vehicle in pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law, or a vehicle used by an organ procurement organization transporting a human organ or tissue, and giving the warning required by division (A), upon approaching any red light or stop signal or any stop sign shall slow down as necessary for safety to traffic, but may proceed past the red or stop light or stop sign with due regard for the safety of persons using the street or highway.

   (C) The driver of an emergency vehicle, when responding to an emergency call or of a police vehicle in pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law and giving the warning required by division (A), may drive on the left side of any highway or on the opposite direction of a one-way street provided the normal lanes of traffic are blocked and he or she does so with due regard for the safety of all persons using the street or highway.

   (D) The driver of an emergency or public safety vehicle may stop or park his vehicle upon any street or highway without regard to§§ 71.20 and 71.30, provided that, during the time the vehicle is parked at the scene of an emergency, at least one warning light is in operation at all times.

   (E) No driver or operator of any emergency or public safety or other vehicle shall use the warning lights or siren, bell, or exhaust whistle of his or her vehicle for any purposes or under any circumstances other than those permitted by §§ 71.05 through 71.08, 72.04, and 72.05.

   (F) Sections 71.05 through 71.08, 72.04, and 72.05 do not relieve the driver of any emergency or public safety vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons and property upon the highway.

   (G)   The driver of a public safety vehicle which also meets the definition of a slow-moving vehicle under KRS 189.810 and any vehicle acting as an escort for the slow-moving vehicle may travel at a speed that may impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic if:

      (1)   The vehicle is being operated in an official capacity;

      (2)   Operation of the vehicle is in compliance with all state and local government policies; and

      (3)   It is necessary for the safe operation of the vehicle. (KRS 189.940) Penalty, see § 70.99 (K)