Snoochie Boochie wrote:
Technically police need to obey all traffic laws if their lights ar enot on, even if they are on their way to an emergency.
Not really, below is taken straight from the Texas Traffic code relating to the operation of Emergency Vehicles.
§ 546.001. PERMISSIBLE CONDUCT. In operating an
authorized emergency vehicle the operator may:
(1) park or stand, irrespective of another provision
of this subtitle;
(2) proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign,
after slowing as necessary for safe operation;
(3) exceed a maximum speed limit, except as provided
by an ordinance adopted under Section 545.365, as long as the
operator does not endanger life or property; and
(4) disregard a regulation governing the direction of
movement or turning in specified directions.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
§ 546.002. WHEN CONDUCT PERMISSIBLE. (a) In this
section, "police escort" means facilitating the movement of a
funeral, oversized or hazardous load, or other traffic disruption
for public safety purposes by a peace officer described by Articles
2.12(1)-(4), (8), and (22), Code of Criminal Procedure.
(b) Section 546.001 applies only when the operator is:
(1) responding to an emergency call;
(2) pursuing an actual or suspected violator of the
law;
(3) responding to but not returning from a fire alarm;
(4) directing or diverting traffic for public safety
purposes; or
(5) conducting a police escort.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended
by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 66, § 1, eff. May 16, 2003; Acts
2005, 79th Leg., ch. 834, § 1, eff. June 17, 2005.
§ 546.003. AUDIBLE OR VISUAL SIGNALS REQUIRED. Except as
provided by Section 546.004, the operator of an authorized
emergency vehicle engaging in conduct permitted by Section 546.001
shall use, at the discretion of the operator in accordance with
policies of the department or the local government that employs the
operator, audible or visual signals that meet the pertinent
requirements of Sections 547.305 and 547.702.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
§ 546.004. EXCEPTIONS TO SIGNAL REQUIREMENT. (a) A
volunteer fire fighter who operates a private vehicle as an
authorized emergency vehicle may engage in conduct permitted by
Section 546.001 only when the fire fighter is using visual signals
meeting the pertinent requirements of Sections 547.305 and 547.702.
(b) An authorized emergency vehicle that is operated as a
police vehicle is not required to be equipped with or display a red
light visible from the front of the vehicle.
(c) A police officer may operate an authorized emergency
vehicle for a law enforcement purpose without using the audible or
visual signals required by Section 546.003 if the officer is:
(1) responding to an emergency call or pursuing a
suspected violator of the law with probable cause to believe that:
(A) knowledge of the presence of the officer will
cause the suspect to:
(i) destroy or lose evidence of a suspected
felony;
(ii) end a suspected continuing felony
before the officer has obtained sufficient evidence to establish
grounds for arrest; or
(iii) evade apprehension or identification
of the suspect or the suspect's vehicle; or
(B) because of traffic conditions on a multilaned
roadway, vehicles moving in response to the audible or visual
signals may:
(i) increase the potential for a collision;
or
(ii) unreasonably extend the duration of
the pursuit; or
(2) complying with a written regulation relating to
the use of audible or visible signals adopted by the local
government that employs the officer or by the department.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
§ 546.005. DUTY OF CARE. This chapter does not relieve
the operator of an authorized emergency vehicle from:
(1) the duty to operate the vehicle with appropriate
regard for the safety of all persons; or
(2) the consequences of reckless disregard for the
safety of others.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.