GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2001
H	3
HOUSE BILL 774
Corrected Copy 3/28/01
 Committee Substitute Favorable 4/23/01

Short Title:	Passing Parked Emergency Vehicle.	()	
Sponsors:	     	
Referred to:	     	
March 26, 2001

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR HOW DRIVERS SHALL OPERATE THEIR MOTOR VEHICLES WHEN PASSING PARKED or standing EMERGENCY VEHICLES THAT HAVE THEIR EMERGENCY LIGHTS ILLUMINATED.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 20‑157 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"(f)	When an authorized emergency vehicle that is giving a warning signal by appropriate light as described in subsection (a) of this section is parked or standing within 12 feet of a roadway, the driver of every other approaching vehicle shall, as soon as it is safe and when not otherwise directed by an individual lawfully directing traffic, do one of the following:
(1)	Move the vehicle into a lane that is not the lane nearest the parked or standing authorized emergency vehicle and continue traveling in that lane until safely clear of the authorized emergency vehicle. This paragraph applies only if the roadway has at least two lanes for traffic proceeding in the direction of the approaching vehicle and if the approaching vehicle may change lanes safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic. 
(2)	Slow the vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for traffic conditions, and operate the vehicle at a reduced speed until completely past the authorized emergency vehicle. This paragraph applies only if the roadway has only one lane for traffic proceeding in the direction of the approaching vehicle or if the approaching vehicle may not change lanes safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic."
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective October 1, 2001.