Section 189.950 - Prohibitions - Exceptions(1) No motor vehicle, except those designated under KRS 189.910 to 189.950 as emergency vehicles, shall be equipped with, nor shall any person use upon a vehicle, any siren, whistle, or bell. Any vehicle may be equipped with a theft alarm signal device which shall be so arranged that it cannot be used as an ordinary warning signal.(2) No motor vehicle, except those designated under KRS 189.910 to 189.950 as emergency vehicles, shall be equipped with, nor shall any person use upon a vehicle any red or blue flashing, revolving, or oscillating light or place a red light on the front thereof. This subsection shall not apply to the use of red flashing lights on school buses or to stop lights or turn signals at the rear of any motor vehicle.(3) Except as otherwise provided for in this section, a person shall not illuminate a blue light that is affixed to a motor vehicle while operating the motor vehicle on a highway. This subsection shall not apply to:(a) Any light on a motorcycle that is not affixed to the front of the motorcycle; or(b) Nonhalogen headlamps that have a slight blue tint and meet United States Department of Transportation regulations.(4) No motor vehicle, except those designated under KRS 189.910 to 189.950 as public safety vehicles, shall be equipped with, nor shall any person use upon any vehicle any yellow flashing, revolving, or oscillating light. This subsection shall not apply to the use of yellow lights for turn signals; or to emergency flasher lights for use when warning the operators of other vehicles of the presence of a vehicular traffic requiring the exercise of unusual care in approaching, overtaking, or passing; or to vehicles operated by mail carriers while on duty; funeral escort vehicles and church buses.(5) Any person who is a regular or voluntary member of any fire department furnishing fire protection for a political subdivision of the state or any person who is a regular or voluntary member of a rescue squad may equip his or her vehicle with red flashing, rotating, or oscillating lights and a siren, bell, or exhaust whistle if he or she has first been given permission, in writing, to do so by the chief of the fire department or rescue squad. He or she may use such lights and equipment only while proceeding to the scene of a fire or other emergency or to a location where another emergency vehicle is on emergency call in the performance of his or her official duties as a member of a fire department or rescue squad.(6)(a) Any constable meeting the requirements of KRS 70.325(2) may, upon approval of the fiscal court in the county of jurisdiction, the legislative council of an urban-county government, or the legislative body of a consolidated local government, equip vehicles used by said officer as emergency vehicles with one (1) or more flashing, rotating or oscillating blue lights, visible under normal atmospheric condition from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the front of such vehicle, and a siren, whistle or bell, capable of emitting a sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than five hundred (500) feet. This equipment shall be in addition to any other equipment required by the motor vehicle laws. Any constable authorized by the fiscal court to utilize blue lights and a siren pursuant to this section shall maintain at least the insurance described by KRS 304.39-110.(b)1. Any constable who has successfully completed a basic training course, as established by KRS 15.440, at a school certified or recognized by the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council, and who maintains his or her certification as a peace officer pursuant to KRS 15.380 through his or her term of office as a constable, may equip vehicles used by that officer as emergency vehicles with one (1) or more flashing, rotating, or oscillating blue lights, visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the front of the vehicle, and a siren, whistle, or bell, capable of emitting a sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than five hundred (500) feet. This equipment shall be in addition to any other equipment required by the motor vehicle laws. Any constable authorized to use blue lights and a siren pursuant to this section shall maintain at least the insurance described by KRS 304.39-110.2. The fiscal court in the county of jurisdiction, the legislative council of an urban-county government, or the legislative body of a consolidated local government may revoke this authorization, if the fiscal court, the council, or the body determines an issue of public safety or abuse by the constable.(7) Any person who is a paid or voluntary member of any ambulance service furnishing emergency medical services for a political subdivision of the state may equip his or her vehicle with red flashing, rotating, or oscillating lights and a siren, bell, or exhaust whistle if he or she has first been given permission, in writing, to do so by the chief or director of the ambulance service. He or she may use such lights and equipment only while proceeding to the scene of an emergency, a medical facility, or to a location where another emergency vehicle is on emergency call in the performance of his or her official duties as a member of the ambulance service.Amended by 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 90,§ 21, eff. 1/1/2023.Amended by 2017 Ky. Acts ch. (number not assigned at time of publication),§ 1, eff. 6/29/2017.Effective:7/15/1986
Amended 1986 Ky. Acts ch. 220, sec. 2, effective7/15/1986; and ch. 437, sec. 2, effective7/15/1986. -- Amended 1984 Ky. Acts ch. 19, sec. 1, effective 7/13/1984. -- Created 1970 Ky. Acts ch. 93, sec. 5.