§ 71.31. EMERGENCY VEHICLES.

(A) This section applies to the person who drives an authorized emergency vehicle when:

(1) Responding to an emergency call;

(2) In the pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law; or

(3) Responding to, but not upon returning from, a fire alarm.

(B) The person who drives an authorized emergency vehicle may do the following:

(1) Park or stand, notwithstanding other provisions of this code;

(2) Proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, but only after slowing down as necessary for safe operation;

(3) Exceed the maximum speed limits if the person who drives the vehicle does not endanger life or property; and/or

(4) Disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specified directions.

(C) This section applies to an authorized emergency vehicle only when the vehicle is using audible or visual signals as required by law. An authorized emergency vehicle operated as a police vehicle is not required to be equipped with or display red and blue lights visible from in front of the vehicle.

(D) This section does not do the following:

(1) Relieve the person who drives an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons; or

(2) Protect the person who drives an authorized emergency vehicle from the consequences of the person’s reckless disregard for the safety of others.

(‘89 Code, § 60.17)

(E) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle, when the person who drives the authorized vehicle is giving audible signal by siren or displaying alternately flashing red, red and white, or red and blue lights, a person who drives another vehicle shall do the following unless otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer:

(1) Yield the right-of-way;

(2) Immediately drive to a position parallel to and as close to the right-hand edge or curb of the highway clear of any intersection; and

(3) Stop and remain in position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed.

(F) This section does not operate to relieve the person who drives an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway.

(‘89 Code, § 60.18) (Am. Ord. passed 4-8-96)