§ 21-9. Exemptions to authorized emergency vehicles and persons working on streets.

(a)

The provisions of this chapter regulating the operation, parking and standing of vehicles shall apply to authorized emergency vehicles as defined in this chapter, except as follows:

A driver when operating any such vehicle in an emergency, except when otherwise directed by a police officer, may:

(1)

Park or stand notwithstanding 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 prima facie speed limits so long as he does not endanger life or property;

(4)

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

(5)

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.

(b)

No driver of any authorized emergency vehicle shall assume any special privilege under this chapter except when such vehicle is operated in response to an emergency call or in the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law.

(c)

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to persons, motor vehicles and other equipment while actually engaged in work upon the surface of a highway but shall apply to such persons and vehicles when traveling to or from work.

(d)

In responding to emergency situations, the members of the City of Irving fire department or City of Irving police department shall comply with the rules, regulations, policies and procedures of their respective department and in the absence of such rule, regulation, policy or procedure, every officer, agent or employee of the city, while responding to emergency situations is hereby authorized to act in such a manner as to most effectively deal with the emergency. This provision shall prevail over every other ordinance of the city and, to the extent to which the city has the authority to so authorize, over any other law establishing a standard of care in conflict with this section. Neither the city nor the employee shall be liable for any failure to use ordinary care in such emergency.

(Ord. No. 203, § 37; Ord. No. 4825, § 1, 11-21-85)

State law reference

Privileges of authorized emergency vehicles, V.T.C.A., Transportation Code § 546.001 et seq.; municipal regulation of speed limits of authorized emergency vehicles, V.T.C.A., Transportation Code § 545.365.