Relating to fire fighters and emergency medical services members responding to emergency situations in certain vehicles

Under current law, the driver of a fire department vehicle, police vehicle, rescue vehicle, or ambulance, or a peace officer riding a police bicycle in the line of duty, is authorized to exceed the maximum speed limits so long as the driver does not endanger life or property, including the driver’s. This bill allows the driver of a vehicle displaying fire fighter or emergency medical services registration plates to reasonably exceed the maximum speed limits based on the facts and circumstances at the time when responding to, but not upon returning from, an emergency call or fire alarm. The driver must have received emergency vehicle operations training and make use of a blue light. The bill does not relieve the driver from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all other persons, and the bill does not protect the driver from the consequences of the driver’s reckless disregard for the safety of others. A person who is a current member of a paid or volunteer emergency medical services agency, or a current or retired member of a paid or volunteer fire department, may apply for fire fighter or emergency medical services registration plates. The bill does not apply to a retired member of a paid or volunteer fire department who drives a vehicle displaying fire fighter plates. The bill requires a court to dismiss and expunge from a driver’s record any speeding citation issued to a driver under circumstances in which the driver complied with the bill and who presents to the court a signed statement from the applicable fire chief or chief officer of an emergency medical services agency providing details about the driver’s operation of the vehicle while responding to an emergency call or fire alarm, which operation resulted in the citation. Under current law, vehicles owned or exclusively operated by a fire department and vehicles authorized by the chief of the fire department, if owned by a member of the fire department, may use only a flashing blue light if a request is made by the member to, and approved by, the department of transportation (DOT). The bill extends the authorized use of a flashing blue light to vehicles authorized by the chief officer of an emergency medical services agency, when a member of such organization makes a similar request to the DOT to display a blue light for purposes of the bill.8A(5), ranging from $30 for a violation of less than five miles per hour over the limit to $135 plus $5 for each mile per hour in excess of miles per hour over the limit.