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.
(1) 
The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle may:
(A) 
Park or stand, irrespective of the provisions of this article;
(B) 
Proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, but only after slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation;
(C) 
Exceed the maximum speed limits so long as he does not endanger life or property, provided, however, in no event shall an ambulance operating as an authorized emergency vehicle exceed a speed of ten (10) miles per hour greater than the authorized posted speed limit on the route of travel of such ambulance.
(D) 
Disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specified directions.
(2) 
The exemptions herein granted to the driver of an authorized vehicle shall apply only when such vehicle is making use, at the discretion of the driver of the vehicle in accordance with the policies of the city, of audible or visible signals meeting the requirements of state law, 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 and need not be equipped with alternately flashing red lights. The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle that is used for law enforcement purposes may operate without using the emergency warning devices required by this subsection only when the driver is responding to an emergency call or when he is in pursuit of a suspected violator of the law and he has probable cause to believe that:
(A) 
Knowledge of his presence will cause the suspect to destroy or lose evidence of a suspected felony;
(B) 
Knowledge of his presence will cause the suspect to cease a suspected continuing felony before the driver has acquired sufficient evidence to establish grounds for arrest;
(C) 
Knowledge of his presence will cause the suspect to evade apprehension or identification of the suspect or his vehicle; or
(D) 
Traffic conditions on a multilaned roadway are such that movements of motorists in response to the emergency warning devices may increase the potential for a collision or may unreasonably extend the duration of the pursuit.
(3) 
The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle that is used for law enforcement purposes may not operate without using the emergency warning devices as provided above, unless he complies with regulations relating to the use of emergency warning devices adopted by the city.
(4) 
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.
(1995 Code, sec. 16-12)