It sure isn't a law that LEOs can only drive 10 over, but I'm sure some departments have tied the hands of their officers by having BS policies like that.
? to LEO's on ambulance ROW
- Thread starter Soundguy
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It sure isn't a law that LEOs can only drive 10 over, but I'm sure some departments have tied the hands of their officers by having BS policies like that.
South Carolina Code of Laws, 1976, as amended through 2007.
SECTION 56-5-760. Operation of 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, may exercise the privileges set forth in this section, but subject to the conditions of this section.
(B) The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle may:
(1) park or stand, notwithstanding any other provision 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 limit if he does not endanger life or property;
(4) disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specified directions.
(C) The exemptions in this section granted to an authorized emergency vehicle apply only when the vehicle is making use of an audible signal meeting the requirements of Section 56-5-4970 and visual signals meeting the requirements of Section 56-5-4700 of this chapter, except that an authorized emergency vehicle operated as a police vehicle need not use an audible signal nor display a visual signal when the vehicle is being used to:
(1) obtain evidence of a speeding violation;
(2) respond to a suspected crime in progress when use of an audible or visual signal, or both, could reasonably result in the destruction of evidence or escape of a suspect; or
(3) surveil another vehicle or its occupants who are suspected of involvement in a crime.
(D) The provisions of this section do not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons.
(E) The Criminal Justice Academy shall promulgate regulations pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act so as to provide uniform guidelines and training programs for law enforcement agencies which use emergency vehicles. Law enforcement agencies authorized to use emergency vehicles shall use the regulations developed by the Criminal Justice Academy to provide written guidelines and to provide training programs for its officers and employees regarding the operation of emergency vehicles.
This should help "muddy" the water ...
My 2 cents ....
SECTION 56-5-760. Operation of 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, may exercise the privileges set forth in this section, but subject to the conditions of this section.
(B) The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle may:
(1) park or stand, notwithstanding any other provision 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 limit if he does not endanger life or property;
(4) disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specified directions.
(C) The exemptions in this section granted to an authorized emergency vehicle apply only when the vehicle is making use of an audible signal meeting the requirements of Section 56-5-4970 and visual signals meeting the requirements of Section 56-5-4700 of this chapter, except that an authorized emergency vehicle operated as a police vehicle need not use an audible signal nor display a visual signal when the vehicle is being used to:
(1) obtain evidence of a speeding violation;
(2) respond to a suspected crime in progress when use of an audible or visual signal, or both, could reasonably result in the destruction of evidence or escape of a suspect; or
(3) surveil another vehicle or its occupants who are suspected of involvement in a crime.
(D) The provisions of this section do not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons.
(E) The Criminal Justice Academy shall promulgate regulations pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act so as to provide uniform guidelines and training programs for law enforcement agencies which use emergency vehicles. Law enforcement agencies authorized to use emergency vehicles shall use the regulations developed by the Criminal Justice Academy to provide written guidelines and to provide training programs for its officers and employees regarding the operation of emergency vehicles.
This should help "muddy" the water ...
My 2 cents ....
OP
Soundguy
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I think our city is too backwards for technology that neat... would be nice though!
soundguy
Part II
South Carolina Code of Laws, 1976, as amended through 2007.
SECTION 56-5-2360. Operation of vehicles on approach of authorized emergency vehicles.
(a) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of an audible signal meeting the requirements of Section 56-5-4970 and visual signals meeting the requirements of Section 56-5-4700, or of a police vehicle properly and lawfully making use of an audible signal or visual signal, the driver of every other vehicle traveling along a two-lane roadway shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible, to the right hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in that position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer. A driver of a vehicle traveling along a multilane roadway shall yield the right-of-way and shall remain in, or move to a location that allows the emergency vehicle or police vehicle to pass safely, except as otherwise directed by a police officer.
(b) This section shall not operate to relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway.
* Personal Note *
As a former Fireman and Peace Officer: No situation, fire, accident, etc., is worth the life of the Fireman, Peace Officer, First Responder, Paramedic, EMT or what have you. If enroute to a call the safety of the public, the safety of the responders is first and foremost; no house, no car, no factory, no "nothing" is worth their lives and the equipment ... though many die, and have died "in the line of duty." I'll be quiet now ....
ROW: citations are discretionary with the officer; it depends on the situation, there is no clear cut answer ....
South Carolina Code of Laws, 1976, as amended through 2007.
SECTION 56-5-2360. Operation of vehicles on approach of authorized emergency vehicles.
(a) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of an audible signal meeting the requirements of Section 56-5-4970 and visual signals meeting the requirements of Section 56-5-4700, or of a police vehicle properly and lawfully making use of an audible signal or visual signal, the driver of every other vehicle traveling along a two-lane roadway shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible, to the right hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in that position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer. A driver of a vehicle traveling along a multilane roadway shall yield the right-of-way and shall remain in, or move to a location that allows the emergency vehicle or police vehicle to pass safely, except as otherwise directed by a police officer.
(b) This section shall not operate to relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway.
* Personal Note *
As a former Fireman and Peace Officer: No situation, fire, accident, etc., is worth the life of the Fireman, Peace Officer, First Responder, Paramedic, EMT or what have you. If enroute to a call the safety of the public, the safety of the responders is first and foremost; no house, no car, no factory, no "nothing" is worth their lives and the equipment ... though many die, and have died "in the line of duty." I'll be quiet now ....
ROW: citations are discretionary with the officer; it depends on the situation, there is no clear cut answer ....
DavidVT
Gold Member
In my state, the one signal that NO ONE (LEO/Fire/EMS/ETC) can pass or ignore are school bus crossing lights.
That being said, the school bus driver upon becoming aware of an approaching emergency vehicle is to make their situation safe as quickly as possible so as to then allow the emergency vehicle to pass after securing the bus lights when the children are out of harms way....
Is that true anywhere else?
That being said, the school bus driver upon becoming aware of an approaching emergency vehicle is to make their situation safe as quickly as possible so as to then allow the emergency vehicle to pass after securing the bus lights when the children are out of harms way....
Is that true anywhere else?
Beavis,
You quoted the statute for civilian (for lack of a better term) responsibilities not LEO and operators of other emergency vehicles.
Edit: Found the correct statute and it appears that speed is not specifically limited.
8-1506
Chapter 8.--AUTOMOBILES AND OTHER VEHICLES
Article 15.--UNIFORM ACT REGULATING TRAFFIC; RULES OF THE ROAD
8-1506. Authorized emergency vehicles; rights, duties and liability of drivers thereof. (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, 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 article;
(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 such driver does not endanger life or property;
(4) Disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specified directions; and
(5) Proceed through toll booths on roads or bridges without stopping for payment of tolls, but only after slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation and the picking up or returning of toll cards.
(c) The exemptions herein granted to an authorized emergency vehicle shall apply only when such vehicle is making use of an audible signal meeting the requirements of K.S.A. 8-1738 and visual signals meeting the requirements of K.S.A. 8-1720, except that an authorized emergency vehicle operated as a police vehicle need not be equipped with or display a red light visible from in 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 reckless disregard for the safety of others.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1506; L. 1977, ch. 43, § 1; July 1.
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Cidertom
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1st disclaimer: I'm not a LEO nor do I play one on TV
2nd disclaimer: I'm not an expert in the particular laws of your area
However from the operators seat of the fire engine:
In the situation you discribe, I would rather have everyone sit tight until the light changed to allow traffic to flow and get out of the way. One of the things that frequently happens when we decide to do the oncoming lane shuffle( if traffic is /totally/ stopped) some one in our direction of travel decides to get out of the way and winds up showing us the side of their rig.
Part of this is look ahead planning on the part of the emergency vehicle operator. An example is: Approaching an intersection where you need to make a right turn. If traffic is stoppped you have two choices: Go into the oncoming lane, then turn across the stopped traffic OR Turn OFF lights/ siren go into the right lane make the turn then turn every thing back on. You can't pass on the right "code 3". Even if the lane is empty you run the risk of some asleep at the wheel driver hearing the siren at the last moment and pulling to the right cutting you off.
Traffic control devices such as "opti-com" (R) are great, untill you expect them to trip the light and they don't...
2nd disclaimer: I'm not an expert in the particular laws of your area
However from the operators seat of the fire engine:
In the situation you discribe, I would rather have everyone sit tight until the light changed to allow traffic to flow and get out of the way. One of the things that frequently happens when we decide to do the oncoming lane shuffle( if traffic is /totally/ stopped) some one in our direction of travel decides to get out of the way and winds up showing us the side of their rig.
Part of this is look ahead planning on the part of the emergency vehicle operator. An example is: Approaching an intersection where you need to make a right turn. If traffic is stoppped you have two choices: Go into the oncoming lane, then turn across the stopped traffic OR Turn OFF lights/ siren go into the right lane make the turn then turn every thing back on. You can't pass on the right "code 3". Even if the lane is empty you run the risk of some asleep at the wheel driver hearing the siren at the last moment and pulling to the right cutting you off.
Traffic control devices such as "opti-com" (R) are great, untill you expect them to trip the light and they don't...
Rack33,
It was my full intention to quote KSA 8-1530 which addresses what a motorist is supposed to do when encountering an emergency vehicle; I do believe that is what Soundguy was looking for. I didn't quote a statute when responding to your post about being limited to 10mph over; if I was to have quoted a statute, you are correct in the fact that KSA 8-1506 governs the operation of emergency vehicles and would be the correct one.
Ronbo
Silver Member
The L.E.O. can do what he wants. I once operated an ambulance in Las Vegas. We had a call and I proceeded to run code 3 down a road in front of a fire station that is for emergency use only. I went the wron way on this road. A MC cop followed me and proceeded to give me static about my operation. He then wanted my supervisor. I informed him that he would have to follow me to the hospital as we had a child in distress that was being transported code 3. It turns out this officer has a problem with ambulaance operators and likes to hassle them.
I have gone though red lights with officers next to me when approached by an emergency vehicle. The law states that you you must take action that is SAFE. If is safe to go through the light (and advantagous to me) I do it. Have not been sited yet.
Ron
I have gone though red lights with officers next to me when approached by an emergency vehicle. The law states that you you must take action that is SAFE. If is safe to go through the light (and advantagous to me) I do it. Have not been sited yet.
Ron
DGS
Silver Member
WHOA!!
This is lawyerspeak BS and it is why so many drivers that get in these situations look like deer in the headlights and freeze right in the intersection or whatever place that they are most unfortunate to be in
Plus there is usually a LEL around to clean up another mess
DGS
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