§ 24-153. Procedure upon approach of authorized emergency vehicle, highway maintenance vehicle or recovery vehicle.

(a)

The following words and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Authorized emergency vehicle means the fire department, fire patrol, law enforcement vehicles or bicycles and such emergency vehicles as are designated or authorized by the county sheriff or chief of police of an incorporated city, and vehicles operated by commissioned members of the state bureau of investigation when on official business; and automatically includes every ambulance and emergency medical vehicle operated by any emergency medical services licensed by the state department of health and every rescue vehicle or emergency response vehicle owned and operated by a state-chartered rescue squad, an emergency lifesaving crew or active member unit of the state association of rescue squads, a county or a municipality or other political subdivision of the state.

Highway maintenance vehicle means a vehicle used for the maintenance of streets, highways and roadways in the county and is:

(1)

Owned or operated by the state department of transportation, a county, a municipality or other political subdivision of the state; or

(2)

Owned or operated by a contractor under contract with the state department of transportation, a county, a municipality or other political subdivision of the state.

Recovery vehicle means a truck that is specifically designed for towing a disabled vehicle or a combination of vehicles, including, but not limited to, a truck commonly referred to as a wrecker or tow truck.

(b)

Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of audible and visual signals meeting the requirements of the applicable laws of the state or of a law enforcement vehicle properly and lawfully making use of an audible signal only, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection, and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer.

(c)

Upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle, when such vehicle is giving a signal by use of flashing 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 street or highway having at least four lanes with not less than two 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)

Upon approaching a stationary recovery vehicle or a highway maintenance vehicle, when such vehicle is giving a signal by use of authorized flashing 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 the stationary recovery vehicle or the highway maintenance vehicle, if possible with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, if on a street or highway having at least four lanes with not less than two 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.

(Code 1992, § 20-74; Ord. No. 90, § 1, 8-5-1991; Ord. No. 339, exh. A, 8-27-2007)

State law reference

Emergency vehicles, right-of-way, T.C.A. § 55-8-132; definitions, authorized emergency vehicle, T.C.A. § 55-8-101(2); Emergency Medical Services Act of 1983, definitions, T.C.A. § 68-140-502.