§ 32-104. When exempt from chapter provisions.

(a)

The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, as the term "authorized emergency vehicle" is defined by state law, 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, 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 or any ordinance;

(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; provided, however, that this exception does not apply to ambulances, which shall not be operated at a speed of more than ten (10) miles per hour over the posted speed limit;

(4)

Disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specified directions so long as he does not endanger life or property.

(c)

The exemptions herein granted to an authorized emergency vehicle shall apply only when such vehicle is making use of audible and visual signals meeting the requirements of Section 124 V.C.S. 6701d (Uniform Act Regulating Traffic on Highways), except that an authorized emergency vehicle operated as a police vehicle need not be equipped with or display a red light visible from the front of the vehicle.

(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 such provisions protect the driver from the consequences of his reckless disregard for the safety of others.

(e)

Provisions of this section applicable to drivers upon the highways shall apply to the drivers of all vehicles owned or operated by the United States, the State of Texas, or any county, city, town, district or any other political subdivision of the state, subject to such specific exceptions as are set forth in this section with reference to authorized emergency vehicles.

(Ord. No. 1317, § 3, 4-6-81)

Editor's note

Ord. No. 1317, § 3, adopted April 6, 1981, being nonamendatory of the Code, has been codified as being amendatory of § 32-104 at the discretion of the editor.