(a) The driver of an emergency vehicle or ambulance may only exercise privileges granted under ORS 820.300 when responding to an emergency call or when responding to, but not upon returning from, an emergency. The driver of an emergency vehicle may exercise privileges granted under ORS 820.300 when in pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law.
(b) The driver of an emergency vehicle or ambulance must use a visual signal with appropriate warning lights when the driver is exercising privileges granted under ORS 820.300.
(c) In addition to any required visual signal, the driver of an emergency vehicle or ambulance must make use of an audible signal meeting the requirements under ORS 820.370 when the driver is proceeding past a stop light or stop sign under privileges granted by ORS 820.300 (1)(b).
(d) A driver of an emergency vehicle or ambulance who is exercising privileges granted under ORS 820.300 by parking or standing an emergency vehicle in disregard of a regulation or ordinance prohibiting that parking, stopping or standing, shall not use the audible signal.
(e) In exercising the privileges under ORS 820.300 (1)(e) relating to buses and bus safety lights, the driver of an emergency vehicle or ambulance must first stop the vehicle and then must:
(A) Determine that no passengers of the bus remain on the roadway; and
(B) Proceed with caution.
(f) In proceeding past any stop light or stop sign under the privileges granted by ORS 820.300, the driver of an emergency vehicle or ambulance must slow down as may be necessary for safe operation.
(g) The driver of an emergency vehicle or ambulance must not exceed any designated speed limit to an extent which endangers persons or property.
(2) The driver of an emergency vehicle that is operated as an emergency police vehicle is not required to use either visual signal or the audible signal as described in this section in order to exercise the privileges granted in ORS 820.300 when it reasonably appears to the driver that the use of either or both would prevent or hamper the apprehension or detection of a violator of a statute, ordinance or regulation.
(3) The offense described in this section, illegal operation of an emergency vehicle or ambulance, is a Class B traffic violation. [1983 c.338 §759; 1985 c.16 §364; 1995 c.209 §1]
Structure 2021 Oregon Revised Statutes
Volume : 19 - Utilities, Vehicle Code, Watercraft, Aviation
Chapter 820 - Special Provisions for Certain Vehicles
Section 820.030 - Safety code; rules; standards; tentative draft; hearings; notice; amendment.
Section 820.040 - Inspection of vehicles.
Section 820.050 - Orders regarding noncomplying vehicles or drivers.
Section 820.070 - Driver violation of worker transport vehicle safety code; penalty.
Section 820.100 - Adoption of safety standards for construction and equipment of school vehicles.
Section 820.105 - School bus stop arms.
Section 820.110 - Rules and standards for driver qualification and training and accident reports.
Section 820.120 - Rules and standards for school vehicle inspection.
Section 820.130 - School bus registration.
Section 820.140 - Revocation of registration.
Section 820.150 - Rules and standards for exemption of certain vehicles from Oregon Vehicle Code.
Section 820.160 - Illegal display of school bus markings; penalty.
Section 820.170 - Improper school bus markings; penalty.
Section 820.180 - Unsafe school vehicle operation; penalty.
Section 820.190 - Minor operating school vehicle; penalty.
Section 820.200 - Minor operating public passenger vehicle; penalty.
Section 820.210 - Registration exemptions for golf carts and similar vehicles.
Section 820.220 - Operation of low-speed vehicle in prohibited area; penalty.
Section 820.300 - Exemptions from traffic laws.
Section 820.320 - Illegal operation of emergency vehicle or ambulance; penalty.
Section 820.340 - Contents of ambulance records.
Section 820.350 - Ambulance warning lights.
Section 820.360 - Illegal ambulance lighting equipment; exemption; penalty.
Section 820.370 - Ambulance or emergency vehicle sirens.
Section 820.380 - Illegal ambulance or emergency vehicle sirens; exemption; penalty.
Section 820.400 - Unlawful operation of implement of husbandry; penalty.
Section 820.570 - Violating trip permit requirements for manufactured structures; penalty.