A. The provisions of this title regulating the operation, parking and standing of vehicles shall apply to authorized emergency vehicles (i.e., police and other law enforcement vehicles, fire department vehicles and ambulances when engaged in emergency runs), except as follows: The driver, when operating any such vehicle in an emergency, or while engaged in the performance of his duties or in pursuit of an actual or suspected violation of the law, except as otherwise directed by a police officer, 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 does not endanger life or property;
4. Disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specific directions so long as he does not endanger life or property.
B. The exemptions in subsections A2 and A4 of this section shall apply only when the driver of the emergency vehicle sounds a siren as may be reasonably necessary, and the vehicle displays a lighted red lamp and/or lens visible from the front under normal atmospheric conditions for a distance of five hundred feet (500') as a warning to others. The foregoing exemptions shall not, however, protect the driver of any such vehicle from the consequences of his reckless disregard of the safety of others. (Ord. 435 §1, 1976: prior code §18-21)