Emergency vehicles; yield of right-of-way
Sec. 35. (a) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized
emergency vehicle, when the person who drives the authorized
emergency vehicle is giving audible signal by siren or displaying
alternately flashing red, red and white, or red and blue lights, a
person who drives another vehicle shall do the following unless
otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer:
(1) Yield the right-of-way.
(2) Immediately drive to a position parallel to and as close as
possible to the right-hand edge or curb of the highway clear of
any intersection.
(3) Stop and remain in the position until the authorized
emergency vehicle has passed.
(b) Upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle,
when the authorized emergency vehicle is giving a signal by
displaying alternately flashing red, red and white, or red and blue
lights, a person who drives an approaching vehicle shall:
(1) proceeding with due caution, yield the right-of-way by
making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to that of the
authorized emergency vehicle, if possible with due regard to
safety and traffic conditions, if on a highway having at least
four (4) lanes with not less than two (2) lanes proceeding in the
same direction as the approaching vehicle; or
(2) proceeding with due caution, reduce the speed of the
vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions, if
changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe.
(c) Upon approaching a stationary recovery vehicle or a stationary
highway maintenance vehicle, when the vehicle is giving a signal by
displaying alternately flashing amber lights, a person who drives an
approaching vehicle shall:
(1) proceeding with due caution, yield the right-of-way by
making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to that of the
recovery vehicle or highway maintenance vehicle, if possible
with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, if on a highway
having at least four (4) lanes with not less than two (2) lanes
proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle; or
(2) proceeding with due caution, reduce the speed of the
vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions, if
changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe.
(d) This section does not operate to relieve the person who drives
an authorized emergency vehicle, a recovery vehicle, or a highway
maintenance vehicle from the duty to operate the vehicle with due
regard for the safety of all persons using the highway.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9. Amended by P.L.18-1999, SEC.1;
P.L.39-2000, SEC.7; P.L.1-2001, SEC.6.
Last modified: May 27, 2006