Boonville Emergency vehicles ordinance (§ 12-29)

(a) Upon the immediate approach of an emergency vehicle giving audible signal by siren or while having at least one lighted lamp exhibiting a red light visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of 500 feet to the front of such vehicle or a flashing blue light authorized by section 307.175, RSMo, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as far as possible to the right of, the traveled portion of the highway and thereupon stop and remain in such position until such emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police or traffic officer.

(b) An emergency vehicle is a vehicle of any of the following types:

(1) A vehicle operated as an ambulance, or a vehicle operated by the state highway patrol, police or fire department, sheriff, constable or deputy sheriff, traffic officer or coroner; (2) Any vehicle qualifying as an emergency vehicle under section 307.175, RSMo;

(3) Any wrecker, or tow truck or a vehicle owned and operated by a public utility or public service corporation while performing emergency service.

(c) The driver of any vehicle referred to in subdivisions (1), (2), (3) of subsection (b) shall not sound the siren thereon or have the front red lights or blue lights on except when said vehicle is responding to an emergency call or when in pursuit of an actual or suspected law violator, or when responding to, but not upon returning from, a fire.

(d) The driver of an emergency vehicle may:

(1) Park or stand irrespective of the provisions of sections 304.014 to 304.026, RSMo; (2) Proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, but only after slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation;

(3) Exceed the prima facie speed limit so long as he does not endanger life or property; (4) Disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specified directions. (e) The exemptions herein granted to an emergency vehicle shall apply only when the driver of an such vehicle while in motion sounds audible signal by bell, siren or exhaust whistle as may be reasonably necessary, and when the vehicle is equipped with at least one lighted lamp displaying a red light or blue light visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of 500 feet to the front of such vehicle.