Find Legal Information

189.930 Right-of-way to emergency vehicles -- Blocking or following emergency vehicles -- Driving over unprotected hoses of fire department.

Download pdf

189.930 Right-of-way to emergency vehicles -- Blocking or following emergency vehicles -- Driving over unprotected hoses of fire department. (1) Upon the approach of an emergency vehicle equipped with, and operating, one (1) or more flashing, rotating, or oscillating red or blue lights, visible under normal <br>conditions from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the front of such vehicle; or <br>the driver is given audible signal by siren, exhaust whistle, or bell, the driver of <br>every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way, immediately drive to a position <br>parallel to, and as close as possible to, the edge or curb of the highway clear of any <br>intersection, and stop and remain in such position until the emergency vehicle has <br>passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer or firefighter. (2) Upon the approach of any emergency vehicle, operated in conformity with the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, the operator of every vehicle shall <br>immediately stop clear of any intersection and shall keep such position until the <br>emergency vehicle has passed, unless directed otherwise by a police officer or <br>firefighter. (3) No operator of any vehicle, unless he is on official business, shall follow any emergency vehicle being operated in conformity with the provisions of subsection <br>(1) of this section closer than five hundred (500) feet, nor shall he drive into, or park <br>the vehicle into, or park the vehicle within, the block where the vehicle has stopped <br>in answer to an emergency call or alarm unless he is directed otherwise by a police <br>officer or firefighter. (4) No vehicle, train, or other equipment shall be driven over any unprotected hose of a fire department when the hose is laid down on any street, private driveway, or track <br>for use at any fire or fire alarm unless the fire department official in command <br>consents that the hose be driven over. (5) Upon approaching a stationary emergency vehicle or public safety vehicle, when the emergency vehicle or public safety vehicle is giving a signal by displaying <br>alternately flashing yellow, red, red and white, red and blue, or blue lights, a person <br>who drives an approaching vehicle shall, while proceeding with due caution: <br>(a) Yield the right-of-way by moving to a lane not adjacent to that of the authorized emergency vehicle, if: <br>1. The person is driving on a highway having at least four (4) lanes with <br>not fewer than two (2) lanes proceeding in the same direction as the <br>approaching vehicle; and 2. If it is possible to make the lane change with due regard to safety and <br>traffic conditions; or (b) Reduce the speed of the vehicle, maintaining a safe speed to road conditions, if changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe. (6) This section does not operate to relieve the person who drives an emergency vehicle from the duty to operate the vehicle with due regard for the safety of all persons <br>using the highway. Effective: June 24, 2003 History: Amended 2003 Ky. Acts ch. 63, sec. 1, effective June 24, 2003. -- Amended 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 215, sec. 1, effective July 14, 2000. -- Amended 1980 Ky. Acts <br>ch. 371, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1980. -- Created 1970 Ky. Acts ch. 93, sec. 3.