HCC §24-173

When emergency and special hazard vehicles can break traffic rules

Read the official text at hawaiicounty.gov ↗

This section lets drivers of authorized emergency vehicles (like ambulances, fire trucks, or police cars) ignore some traffic rules when responding to emergencies, chasing someone, or going to a fire. They can park anywhere, run red lights or stop signs if safe, speed if no danger, and ignore turn rules. They must use lights or sirens, except police cars don't need a blue light. They still must drive safely and can be held responsible for reckless driving. Special hazard vehicles can also break rules if needed for public safety.

The ordinance, as written (Hawaiʻi County) — Authorized emergency and special hazard vehicles

A copy, taken August 21, 2026. The version published by Hawaiʻi County is the one that governs, and it may have changed since. Check it before relying on anything here.

(a) The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, when responding to an emergency call, 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, may exercise the privileges set forth in this section, subject to the conditions stated in this section. (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. (c) The exemptions granted to an authorized emergency vehicle shall apply only when such vehicle is making use of audible or visual signals meeting the requirements of this chapter, except that an authorized emergency vehicle operated as a police vehicle need not be equipped with or display a blue light visible from in front of the vehicle. (d) Nothing in this section shall relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons, nor shall such provisions protect the driver from the consequences of the driver’s reckless disregard for the safety of others. (e) The operator of a special hazard vehicle may drive or park the vehicle contrary to the provisions of this chapter when such operation or parking is essential to public safety and does not endanger other users of the highways.

Read the official text at hawaiicounty.gov ↗as published Jul 16, 2026our copy taken Aug 21, 2026

Published by the County of Hawaiʻi Office of the County Clerk.

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.