Right-of-way to emergency vehicles -- Blocking or following emergency vehicles -- Driving over unprotected hoses of fire department
KRS 189.930
in effect189.930. Right-of-way to emergency vehicles -- Blocking or following emergency vehicles -- Driving over unprotected hoses of fire department
(1) Upon the approach of an emergency vehicle equipped with, and operating, one (1) or more flashing, rotating, or oscillating red or blue lights, visible under normal conditions from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the front of the emergency vehicle; or the driver is given audible signal by siren, exhaust whistle, or bell, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way, immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the edge or curb of the highway clear of any intersection, and stop and remain stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer or firefighter.
(2) Upon the approach of any emergency vehicle, operated in conformity with the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, the operator of every vehicle shall immediately stop clear of any intersection and s hall remain stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed, unless directed otherwise by a police officer or firefighter.
(3) No operator of any vehicle, unless he or she is on official business, shall follow any emergency vehicle being operated in conform ity with the provisions of subsection (1) of this section closer than five hundred (500) feet, nor shall he or she drive into, or park the vehicle into, or park the vehicle within, the block where the vehicle has stopped in answer to an emergency call or alarm unless he or she is directed otherwise by a police officer or firefighter.
(4) No vehicle, train, or other equipment shall be driven over any unprotected hose of a fire department when the hose is laid down on any street, private driveway, or track for use at any fire or fire alarm unless the fire department official in command consents that the hose be driven over.
(5) The provisions of subsection (6) of this section shall apply to any driver approaching a stationary:
(a) Emergency vehicle or public s afety vehicle, when the emergency vehicle or public safety vehicle is giving a signal by displaying alternately flashing yellow, red, red and white, red and blue, or blue lights; or
(b) Disabled vehicle, when the disabled vehicle is displaying some type of warning signal, such as emergency flashers, flares, or retroreflective signals.
(6) The driver of a vehicle that is approaching a vehicle described in subsection (5) of this section shall, while proceeding with due caution:
(a) Yield the right-of-way by moving to a lane not adjacent to that of the vehicle, if: 1. The person is driving on a highway having at least four (4) lanes, with at least two (2) lanes proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle; and 2. It is possible to make the lane change with due regard to safety and traffic conditions; or
(b) Reduce the speed of the vehicle, maintaining a safe speed to road conditions, if the road has less than four (4) lanes or if changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe.
(7) This section does not operate to relieve the person who drives an emergency vehicle from the duty to operate the vehicle with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway.
Effective: July 15, 2024
History: Amended 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 198, sec. 14, effective July 15, 2024. -- Amended 2003 Ky. Acts ch. 63, sec. 1, effective June 24, 2003. -- Amended 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 215, sec. 1, effective July 14, 2000. -- Amended 1980 Ky. Acts ch. 371, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1980. -- Created 1970 Ky. Acts ch. 93, sec. 3.
Source: Kentucky Legislative Research Commission (legislature.ky.gov)URL: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=55550Fetched: 10/20/2026