(a) The provisions of this chapter regulating the operation, parking and standing of vehicles shall apply to authorized emergency vehicles, except a driver when operating such an authorized emergency vehicle in any emergency, except when otherwise directed by a police officer, may:
(1) Park or stand, notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter;
(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 does not endanger life or property;
(4) Disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specified directions, so long as he does not endanger life or property.
(b) The foregoing exemptions shall not, however, protect the driver of any such authorized emergency vehicle from the consequences of his reckless disregard of the safety of others.
(Code 1977, § 16-6)
State law reference— Exemption of emergency vehicles from right-of-way rules, G.S. 20-156.