61-8-107. Police vehicles and authorized emergency vehicles. (1) The driver of a police vehicle or 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 in this section.
(2) The driver of a police vehicle or authorized emergency vehicle may:
(a) park or stand, irrespective of the provisions of this chapter;
(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 speed limits as long as the driver does not endanger life or property;
(d) disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specified directions.
(3) The exemptions granted to a police vehicle or authorized emergency vehicle apply only when the vehicle is making use of an audible or visual signal, or both, meeting the requirements of 61-9-402.
(4) The provisions of this section do not relieve the driver of a police vehicle or authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons, and the provisions do not protect the driver from the consequences of the driver's reckless disregard for the safety of others.
History: En. Sec. 25.1, Ch. 263, L. 1955; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 169, L. 1957; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 153, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 32-2128; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 11, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 1962, Ch. 56, L. 2009.
Structure Montana Code Annotated
61-8-101. Application -- exceptions
61-8-102. Uniformity of interpretation -- definitions
61-8-103. Provisions uniform throughout state -- power of local authorities
61-8-104. Required obedience to traffic laws
61-8-105. Obedience to peace officers, flag persons, crossing guards, and public safety workers
61-8-106. Responsibility of public officers and employees
61-8-107. Police vehicles and authorized emergency vehicles
61-8-108. Traffic laws applicable to persons driving animal-drawn vehicles
61-8-109. Rights of owners of real property not affected -- when
61-8-110. Forest development road, special service road defined
61-8-111. State laws applicable on forest development roads -- enforcement
61-8-112. Special service roads not subject to state law enforcement -- when