What does the Virginia Code allow emergency vehicles to do while responding to emergencies?

The Virginia Code permits emergency vehicles, such as police cars and ambulances, to exceed the speed limit and disregard traffic signals when responding to emergencies, provided it is done safely. This provision recognizes the urgent nature of emergency responses, where every second can be critical in saving lives or addressing urgent situations. However, this privilege comes with the caveat that emergency vehicle operators must still exercise due regard for the safety of all road users. They are expected to assess the surrounding conditions and ensure that their actions do not create undue danger, thus highlighting the balance between the urgency of the response and road safety.

In contrast, driving without any lights or sirens would not communicate the emergency status to other drivers, thereby counteracting the purpose of the response. Exceeding speed limits only when in pursuit of a suspect is too restrictive since emergencies can arise in other contexts that may also require swift action. Finally, total disregard for all traffic rules at all times would create chaotic and unsafe conditions on the road, negating the intention of allowing exceptions under the law for emergency responders. Thus, while emergency vehicles do have permissions to break certain traffic laws under specific conditions, they are still held to standards of safety and reasonable conduct.