A.R.S. 28-775
Authorized emergency vehicles; approaching; following fire apparatus; defensive driving schools; driver license examinations
A. Except when otherwise directed by a police officer, on the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle equipped with at least one lighted lamp exhibiting a red or red and blue light or lens visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of five hundred feet to the front of the vehicle and that is giving an audible signal by siren, exhaust whistle or bell, the driver of another vehicle shall:
1. Yield the right-of-way.
2. Immediately drive to a position parallel to and as close as possible to the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection.
3. Stop and remain in the position prescribed in paragraph 2 of this subsection until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed.
B. An authorized emergency vehicle being operated with activated emergency lights and siren is exempt from the requirements of this section.
C. The driver of a vehicle other than one on official business shall not follow any fire apparatus traveling in response to a fire alarm closer than five hundred feet or drive into or park the vehicle within the block where fire apparatus has stopped in answer to a fire alarm.
D. When a police vehicle is giving a visual signal with at least one lighted red or red and blue light or lens and is giving an audible signal by siren, the driver of another vehicle:
1. Shall not approach or drive parallel to the police vehicle.
2. Shall maintain a distance of at least three hundred feet behind any police vehicle involved in an emergency until the police vehicle moves to the lane closest to the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway.
E. If a person who drives a vehicle approaches a stationary authorized emergency vehicle and the authorized emergency vehicle is giving a signal by displaying alternately flashing red or red and blue lights, the person shall do either of the following:
1. If on a highway having at least four lanes with at least two lanes proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle, proceed with due caution and if possible, with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to that of the authorized emergency vehicle.
2. If changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe, proceed with due caution and reduce the speed of the vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions.
F. This section does not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway.
G. Defensive driving school courses that are offered by defensive driving schools operated pursuant to chapter 8, article 7 of this title may include educational information relating to subsections D and E. The department may include information relating to subsections D and E in any of the department's examination, information or education material.
Comment: When a police vehicle, or a vehicle like an ambulance has their lights on, drivers need to move out of the way and keep a safe distance. Despite the authority belonging to police and emergency vehicles, they can still be liable if they don't exercise due care.
Phoenix Personal Injury Attorneys, Arizona Criminal Defense
Phoenix Criminal Defense Lawyer
Abogado Phoenix Accidente de Bicicleta
A.R.S. 28-776
Funeral or military procession right-of-way; funeral or military escort vehicles; certification; fee; definitions
A. Pedestrians and the operators of all vehicles, except emergency vehicles, shall yield the right-of-way to each vehicle that is a part of a funeral procession being led by a funeral escort vehicle or a military procession being led by a military escort vehicle. The driver of the funeral escort vehicle or military escort vehicle may direct the drivers of other vehicles in the procession to proceed through any intersection or to make turns or other movements, and the other vehicles may continue to follow and make the turns or other movements as are made by or as directed by the driver of the funeral escort vehicle or military escort vehicle notwithstanding any traffic control device prescribed by statute or local ordinance, except that a driver of a vehicle in the funeral procession or military procession shall not exceed the posted speed limit and shall exercise reasonable and prudent care to avoid colliding with any other vehicle or pedestrian on the roadway. Each vehicle in a funeral procession or military procession shall have its headlights lighted.
B. A driver of a funeral escort vehicle or military escort vehicle who is certified pursuant to subsection D of this section may direct and control the drivers of vehicles in a funeral procession or military procession and any other vehicle in or approaching any intersection to stop, proceed or make the turns or other movements as required without regard to any traffic control device prescribed by statute or local ordinance. Funeral escort vehicles or military escort vehicles may exceed the speed limit by fifteen miles per hour when overtaking processions to direct traffic at the next intersection. A funeral escort vehicle or military escort vehicle shall be equipped with at least one lighted lamp exhibiting a red or red and blue light or lens visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of five hundred feet to the front of the vehicle and an audible signal by bell, siren or exhaust whistle as required under section 28-624.
C. The sheriff in each county shall register funeral escort vehicles and military escort vehicles and issue an identification sticker or plate that is affixed to the vehicle in order to identify the vehicle as a funeral escort vehicle or military escort vehicle. When acting as a funeral escort or military escort, the driver of a properly equipped and registered funeral escort vehicle or military escort vehicle has all of the rights and privileges of a driver of an authorized emergency vehicle proceeding to an emergency call as provided under section 28-624.
D. Within thirty days after receiving an application for approval, the sheriff in each county shall approve or disapprove in writing all markings, emblems, seals and other insignia on a funeral escort vehicle before being displayed. The sheriff may not unreasonably withhold approval. The sheriff shall ensure that the vehicle does not bear markings similar to the vehicle markings used by a law enforcement agency of the federal or state government or a political subdivision of this state or bear words, emblems, seals or other insignia that could cause a reasonable person to confuse the vehicle with a law enforcement vehicle. Beginning October 1, 2008, the right and left sides of a funeral escort vehicle shall be clearly marked with the words "funeral escort" in letters that are at least five inches in height, except that if the funeral escort vehicle is a motorcycle the letters shall be at least two inches in height.
E. The sheriff in each county may certify any person who holds at least a valid class A, B, C, D or M driver license issued by this state as a certified driver of a funeral escort vehicle or military escort vehicle if the person:
1. Completes a training program in motor vehicle safety and traffic control safety as prescribed by the sheriff.
2. Pays the fee that is prescribed by the sheriff for the program and that does not exceed the cost of the program.
F. Within thirty days after receiving an application for approval, the sheriff in each county shall approve or disapprove in writing all uniforms, badges, patches and insignias worn by a certified driver of a funeral escort vehicle before being displayed. The sheriff may not unreasonably withhold approval. Beginning October 1, 2008, the uniform shall contain insignia that identifies the wearer as a funeral escort. The sheriff shall ensure that a uniform, badge, patch or insignia does not bear markings similar to the markings of a law enforcement agency of the federal or state government or a political subdivision of this state or bear the words "sheriff", "police", "deputy", "marshall", "agent" or "officer" or any other word that could cause a reasonable person to confuse a certified driver of a funeral escort vehicle with law enforcement personnel.
G. Each county sheriff shall recognize as valid in that county a registered military escort vehicle or a certified driver of a military escort vehicle, or both, if the registration or certification, or both, occurs in another county in this state pursuant to this section.
H. A person:
1. Shall not receive any compensation for providing a military procession.
2. May only provide a military procession if requested by a United States military member or veteran or the family of a United States military member or veteran.
I. For the purposes of this section:
1. "Funeral procession" means two or more vehicles accompanying the body of a deceased person, including a funeral escort vehicle registered by the sheriff.
2. "Military procession" means two or more vehicles, including a military escort vehicle, accompanying any of the following:
(a) The body of a deceased member of the United States military or a deceased veteran of the United States military.
(b) A member of the United States military who is being deployed or who is returning from deployment.
(c) A person who is being honored at a military event.
(d) A monument honoring United States military members or veterans of the United States military that is being transported in this state.
Comment: Regular drivers have to yield to a funeral or military procession. The Arizona statute provides the specifics.
DUI and Criminal Lawyer Phoenix Arizona
A.R.S. 28-791
Pedestrians subject to traffic rules
A. Pedestrians are subject to traffic control signals at intersections as provided in section 28-645 unless required by local ordinance to comply strictly with the signals. At all places other than intersections, pedestrians are accorded the privileges and are subject to the restrictions stated in this article.
B. A local authority may require by ordinance that pedestrians strictly comply with the directions of an official traffic control signal and may prohibit by ordinance pedestrians from crossing a roadway in a business district or crossing a designated highway except in a crosswalk.
Comment: Following traffic signals and local rules as a pedestrian will decrease your liability if you are in an accident or struck by a vehicle while crossing the street.
Phoenix Attorney Arizona Bankruptcy
Phoenix Automobile Collision Lawyers
Phoenix Accident Lawyers, Arizona Negligence
A.R.S. 28-792
Right-of-way at crosswalk
A. Except as provided in section 28-793, subsection B, if traffic control signals are not in place or are not in operation, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping if need be in order to yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is on the half of the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger. A pedestrian shall not suddenly leave any curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield.
B. If a vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of another vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.
Comment: If there are no traffic signals, and a pedestrian is crossing, a driver must yield. If a vehicle is approaching, a pedestrian is not supposed to suddenly attempt to cross the driver's path. If you are coming up behind a driver, who has yielded to a pedestrian, do not attempt to go around.
Phoenix Accidente Abogado, Arizona Negligencia
Phoenix Arizona Family Lawyers
Divorce Attorney Phoenix, Family Law Arizona
Phoenix Driver’s License Attorney, Arizona Driver’s License Lawyer