(a) The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, when responding to an emergency call or when in the pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law or when responding to but not upon returning from a fire alarm and vehicles used by police officers while in the performance of a police function, may exercise the privileges set forth in this section, but subject to the conditions herein stated.
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Terms Used In Hawaii Revised Statutes 291C-26

  • Authorized emergency vehicle: includes fire department vehicles, police vehicles, ambulances, ocean safety vehicles, law enforcement vehicles, and conservation and resources enforcement vehicles authorized and approved pursuant to section 291-31. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 291C-1
  • Driver: means every person who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 291C-1
  • Vehicle: means every device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a roadway or highway, including mopeds and bicycles, but excluding toy bicycles, devices other than bicycles moved by human power, and devices used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 291C-1
(b) The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle may:

(1) Park or stand irrespective of the provisions of this chapter;
(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 maximum speed limits so long as the driver does not endanger life or property;
(4) Disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specified directions;
(5) Drive on the shoulder and median of roadways; and
(6) Drive in controlled-access roadways, highways, and facilities.
(c) The exemptions granted in subsection (b) to an authorized emergency vehicle shall apply only when the vehicle is making use of authorized audible and visual signals; provided that use of an authorized audible signal shall not be required if it is not reasonably necessary under the circumstances. This subsection shall not apply to police vehicles.
(d) The foregoing provisions shall not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons, nor shall those provisions protect the driver from the consequences of the driver’s reckless disregard for the safety of others.

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