Section 307.175

Title XIX MOTOR VEHICLES, WATERCRAFT AND AVIATION

Chapter 307

Effective - 28 Aug 2016, 5 histories, see footnote   (history) 

  307.175.  Sirens and flashing lights emergency use, persons authorized — violation, penalty. — 1.  Motor vehicles and equipment which are operated by any member of an organized fire department, ambulance association, or rescue squad, whether paid or volunteer, may be operated on streets and highways in this state as an emergency vehicle under the provisions of section 304.022 while responding to a fire call or ambulance call or at the scene of a fire call or ambulance call and while using or sounding a warning siren and using or displaying thereon fixed, flashing or rotating blue lights, but sirens and blue lights shall be used only in bona fide emergencies.

  2.  Motor vehicles and equipment owned by the state highways and transportation commission or contractor or subcontractor performing work for the department of transportation may use or display thereon fixed, flashing, or rotating amber or white lights, but amber or white lights shall be used only while such vehicle is stationary in a work zone, as defined in section 304.580, when highway workers, as defined in section 304.580, are present.

  3.  Permits for the operation of such vehicles equipped with sirens or blue lights shall be in writing and shall be issued and may be revoked by the chief of an organized fire department, organized ambulance association, rescue squad, or the state highways and transportation commission and no person shall use or display a siren or blue lights on a motor vehicle, fire, ambulance, or rescue equipment without a valid permit authorizing the use.  A permit to use a siren or lights as heretofore set out does not relieve the operator of the vehicle so equipped with complying with all other traffic laws and regulations.  Violation of this section constitutes a class A misdemeanor.

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(L. 1957 p. 623 § 1, A.L. 1971 H.B. 113, A.L. 1981 H.B. 183, A.L. 2004 S.B. 757 merged with S.B. 788, A.L. 2016 S.B. 732)