(A) (1) The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, when operating any such vehicle in an emergency, may exercise the privileges set forth in this section, unless otherwise directed by a police officer, but subject to the conditions herein stated. Said driver may:
(a) Park or stand at any location;
(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 prima facie speed limits so long as he or she does not endanger life or property; and/or
(d) Disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specified directions.
(2) The exemptions herein granted shall apply only when the driver of any said vehicle shall sound a bell, siren or exhaust whistle as may be reasonably necessary, and when the vehicle is equipped with at least one lighted lamp displaying a red or blue light visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of 500 feet from the front of such vehicle; except that, an authorized emergency vehicle operated as a police vehicle need not be equipped with or display a red or blue light visible from in front of the vehicle.
(3) The foregoing provisions shall not relieve the driver of any 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 or her reckless disregard for the safety of others.
(2005 Code, § 61.05)
(B) (1) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle displaying at least one lighted lamp exhibiting a red or blue light visible from the front of such vehicle, and when said driver is giving audible signal by siren, bell or exhaust whistle: 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) This section 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.
(2005 Code, § 61.06)