Quote:
Originally Posted by Eisenhower
[B]Ok, emergency vehicles are exempt? or the officer is exempt? Because the vehicles' aren't going to drive themselves... It stands to reason that this exemption is only in effect during an "actual" emergency. A code 2 or 3, which would validate the officer traveling 10+ mph over the limit, (dep. on jurisdiction) even though I didn't see any lights flashing or hear any sirens.
But I think I'm starting to understand now. If I see a police officer use his/her signal, it's more of a courtesy. And basically, while just patrolling, cops don't have to use their turn signals to alert other drivers of their intentions, stay in the center of their lanes or observe the speed limit... because they're exempt. or at least their vehicles are...
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Traffic law states emergency vehicles are exempt...................with the intention that the driver is exempt from law when operating the emergency vehicle. I'll find it later and post it for you. For example, I can drive the wrong way on a one way road if I wanted to according to TRC. But, according to my General Manual Rules and Regs, I can be disciplined for driving the wrong way.
And again, as it reads, emergency vehicles are exempt....not saying exempt when on an emergency call. I always use my signals, drive safe, have courtesy for others, and try to obey all traffic laws at all times. Everyone else should too. Yes, there are a lot of folks who don't care. But, that catches up to them (I saw it last week w/ someone speeding in a neighborhood - he was on an emergency call, but the speed was well over the limit).
For example, there are suspicios people in the woods back off a dirt road. Traffic law says that vehicles are not allowed to leave the roadway unless going into private drives, etc. If I take my patrol car back in the woods, leaving the roadway and breaking the law, while not on an emergency, am I wrong? If you say yes, why should I be wrong? I need my car. What if they are a mile back in the woods? What if they run, and I catch them. Now, I have two guys I have to walk back in cuffs for a mile back to my car while I'm already tired as heck?
There are thousands of reasons why traffic law does not apply to emergency vehicles. I don't abuse this because, again, I don't want to get complained on. Plus, I don't want to get into any accidents.