Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 820 § 820.300 — Exemptions from traffic laws

Exemptions from traffic laws. (1) Subject to conditions, limitations, prohibitions and penalties established for emergency vehicle and ambulance drivers under ORS 820.320, the driver of an emergency vehicle or ambulance may do any of the following: (a) Park or stand in disregard of a statute, regulation or ordinance prohibiting that parking or standing. (b) Proceed past a red signal or stop sign. (c) Exceed the designated speed limits. (d) Disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specified directions. (e) Proceed past the flashing bus safety lights without violating ORS 811.155 if the driver first stops the vehicle and then proceeds only when the driver: (A) Determines that no passengers of the bus remain on the roadway; and (B) Proceeds with caution. (2) The provisions of this section: (a) Do not relieve the driver of an emergency vehicle or ambulance from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all other persons. (b) Are not a defense to the driver of an emergency vehicle or ambulance in an action brought for criminal negligence or reckless conduct. (c) Except as specifically provided in this section, do not relieve the driver of an emergency vehicle or ambulance from the duty to comply with ORS 811.155. [1983 c.338 §757; 1985 c.16 §362; 1995 c.209 §5] Note: The amendments to 820.300 by section 17, chapter 278, Oregon Laws 2025, become operative January 1, 2027. See section 24, chapter 278, Oregon Laws 2025. The text that is operative on and after January 1, 2027, is set forth for the user’s convenience. 820.300. (1) Subject to conditions, limitations, prohibitions and penalties established for emergency vehicle, organ transport vehicle and ambulance drivers under ORS 820.320, the driver of an emergency vehicle, organ transport vehicle or ambulance may do any of the following: (a) Park or stand in disregard of a statute, regulation or ordinance prohibiting that parking or standing. (b) Proceed past a red signal or stop sign. (c) Exceed the designated speed limits. (d) Disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specified directions. (e) Proceed past the flashing bus safety lights without violating ORS 811.155 if the driver first stops the vehicle and then proceeds only when the driver: (A) Determines that no passengers of the bus remain on the roadway; and (B) Proceeds with caution. (2) The provisions of this section: (a) Do not relieve the driver of an emergency vehicle, organ transport vehicle or ambulance from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all other persons. (b) Are not a defense to the driver of an emergency vehicle, organ transport vehicle or ambulance in an action brought for criminal negligence or reckless conduct. (c) Except as specifically provided in this section, do not relieve the driver of an emergency vehicle, organ transport vehicle or ambulance from the duty to comply with ORS 811.155.