Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 13, § 1105 - Ambulance Driver's Responsibilities

(a) Delays. Every driver of an ambulance dispatched for emergency service shall respond promptly or inform the dispatcher of his/her inability to respond.

(b) Speed Restriction. In no event shall an ambulance driver exceed a speed of 15 miles per hour while disobeying any official traffic control stop sign or stop signal. This subsection shall not apply to publicly owned and operated dual purpose law enforcement vehicles during law enforcement work.

(c) Destination Restriction. In the absence of decisive factors to the contrary, an ambulance driver shall transport emergency patients to the most accessible emergency medical facility equipped, staffed, and prepared to administer care appropriate to the needs of the patients.

(d) Siren and Red Warning Light Use Restrictions. Ambulance drivers shall not use the siren and red warning light (Code 3 operation) when traffic is congested to a degree that increased ambulance speed and right-of-way cannot be gained thereby. Siren and red warning lights shall be used with due regard for safe roadway operation of ambulances and shall not be used except under the following circumstances.

(1) When responding to an emergency call or when engaged in emergency services as defined in this article, and

(2) When speed in transporting the patient to an emergency medical care facility appears essential to prevent loss of life, undue suffering, or to reduce or prevent disability.

(e) Driver Conditions. No person shall drive or be directed to drive an ambulance when his/her ability to operate the ambulance safely is adversely affected by fatigue, illness, or any other cause nor when the vehicle is unsafe to operate.

(f) Vehicle Condition. Every driver shall inspect the ambulance prior to operation to determine that it is in safe condition, equipped as required, and that all vehicle equipment and installed medical equipment is in good working order.

Notes

Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 13, § 1105

Note: Authority cited: Section 2512, Vehicle Code. Reference: Sections 2504, 2512 and 2542, Vehicle Code.