§291C-26  Authorized emergency vehicles. 

(a)  The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, when responding to an

emergency call or when in the pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the

law or when responding to but not upon returning from a fire alarm and vehicles

used by police officers while in the performance of a police function, may

exercise the privileges set forth in this section, but subject to the

conditions herein stated.

     (b)  The driver of an authorized emergency

vehicle may:

     (1)  Park or stand irrespective of 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 maximum speed limits so long as the

driver does not endanger life or property;

     (4)  Disregard regulations governing direction of

movement or turning in specified directions;

     (5)  Drive on the shoulder and median of roadways; and

     (6)  Drive in controlled-access roadways, highways,

and facilities.

     (c)  The exemptions granted in subsection (b)

to an authorized emergency vehicle shall apply only when the vehicle is making

use of authorized audible and visual signals, except as otherwise provided by

county ordinance.  This subsection shall not apply to police vehicles.

     (d)  The foregoing provisions shall not relieve

the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due

regard for the safety of all persons, nor shall those provisions protect the

driver from the consequences of the driver's reckless disregard for the safety

of others. [L 1971, c 150, pt of §1; gen ch 1985; am L 2002, c 93, §1; am L

2003, c 112, §2]