What is necessary for an officer to have the privilege to exceed traffic laws when responding to a call?

For an officer to have the privilege to exceed traffic laws while responding to an emergency call, the use of both lights and siren is essential. This practice serves several purposes: it alerts other drivers and pedestrians to the presence of the emergency vehicle, ensuring they can take appropriate action to yield the right-of-way. Additionally, the activation of lights and sirens demonstrates that the officer is engaged in official law enforcement duties, providing legal justifications for any actions taken that would otherwise violate traffic laws.

While exceeding the speed limit may seem necessary, it is the activation of lights and sirens that provides the legal cover needed for the officer’s actions. Simply operating a marked vehicle or having a partner does not fulfill the legal requirements for overriding traffic laws. Hence, the use of both lights and siren is a critical aspect of lawful emergency response, emphasizing safety and the proper execution of law enforcement responsibilities.