Section 10-164. Operation of vehicles on approach of authorized emergency vehicles  


Latest version.
  • a. Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle,  as
      defined  in  the  vehicle  and  traffic  law, equipped with at least one
      lighted lamp exhibiting  red  light  visible  under  normal  atmospheric
      conditions  from  a  distance  of five hundred feet to the front of such
      vehicle other than a police vehicle  or  bicycle  when  operated  as  an
      authorized  emergency vehicle, and when audible signals are sounded from
      any said vehicle by siren, exhaust whistle, bell, air-horn or electronic
      equivalent; 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, or to  either
      edge  of  a  one-way  roadway three or more lanes in width, clear of any
      intersection, and shall stop and  remain  in  such  position  until  the
      authorized  emergency vehicle has passed, unless otherwise directed by a
      police officer or other authorized employee of the police department.
        b. Any person who violates the provisions of  this  section  shall  be
      guilty  of  a  misdemeanor,  and for a first conviction thereof shall be
      punishable by a fine of not  more  than  three  hundred  dollars  or  by
      imprisonment  for  not  more  than  thirty days or by both such fine and
      imprisonment; for a conviction of a second violation, both of which were
      committed within a period of ten years, a person shall be punishable  by
      a  fine  of not more than six hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not
      more than ninety days or by both such  fine  and  imprisonment;  upon  a
      conviction  of  a  third  or  subsequent  violation,  all  of which were
      committed within a period of ten years, a person shall be punishable  by
      a  fine of not more than nine hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not
      more than one-hundred eighty days or by both such fine and imprisonment.