Are emergency response vehicles allowed to ignore traffic laws, such as stop lights?
Ambulance operations are governed by local and state laws, so there is not one answer that applies to all communities. That said, contrary to popular belief, emergency vehicles in most communities are not granted unrestricted right of way. In most cases, emergency vehicles must obey all signs and signals. For example, they must stop at a red light or stop sign before proceeding through an intersection. Sometimes, emergency vehicles operate contrary to traffic control devices when responding to an emergency, and sometimes, they exceed posted speed limits. However, even during these times, emergency vehicle operators must drive with due regard for the safety of the public.
