Relating to the operating privileges of drivers of authorized emergency vehicles and police officers riding police bicycles

451. Privately owned vehicles which may be designated as authorized emergency vehicles include an ambulance or fire or rescue vehicle; a state or county medical examiner vehicle; a personal vehicle of a sheriff, deputy sheriff, chief of police, police officer, chief of a paid fire department, or certified chief or certified fire officer of a volunteer fire department, a combination volunteer-paid fire department, or a nonprofit corporation that delivers emergency services on behalf of a municipality; a towing or recovery vehicle; or a personal vehicle of a chief, medical director, or certified medical provider of an authorized emergency medical service. Current law authorizes the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, when responding to an emergency call, when in the pursuit of an actual or suspected perpetrator of a felony or misdemeanor, in response to an incident dangerous to the public, or when responding to but not upon returning from a fire alarm, to disregard specified traffic laws. Under such circumstances, the driver of any authorized emergency vehicle may park or stand the vehicle irrespective of traffic laws, disregard laws or regulations governing direction of movement for the minimum distance necessary, drive the vehicle on the shoulder or median of a highway, disregard laws or regulations governing turning the vehicle in specified directions, and disregard laws or regulations governing overtaking or passing other motorists. Two additional authorizations are granted to official fire department vehicles, police vehicles, rescue vehicles, ambulances, emergency medical services vehicles, and emergency management vehicles, and peace officers riding a police bicycle in the line of duty: (1) proceeding past a red or stop signal or stop sign after slowing down to or maintaining a speed deemed necessary for safe operation and (2) exceeding the maximum speed limits so long as the driver does not recklessly endanger life or property. This bill grants the two authorizations to proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, and to exceed the maximum speed limit, to the driver of any authorized emergency vehicle, including privately owned vehicles such as towing and recovery vehicles. The bill also specifies that the authorizations for drivers of authorized emergency vehicles apply to peace officers riding a police bicycle in the line of duty. Under current law and the bill, these authorizations apply only to vehicles making use of an audible warning device or visual signaling device, except under certain circumstances.231 is punishable by a $135 scheduled fine.