A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT regulating speeding by law enforcement officers.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 20‑145 reads as rewritten:
"§ 20‑145.  When speed limit not applicable.
(a)	The speed limitations set forth in this Article shall not apply to vehicles when operated with due regard for safety:
(1)	To vehicles operated by a law enforcement officer or under the direction of a law enforcement officer in the chase or apprehension of violators of criminal or motor vehicle statutes or of persons charged with or suspected of any violation of criminal or motor vehicle statutes. 
(2)	To fire department or fire patrol vehicles when traveling in response to a fire alarm.
(3)	To public or private ambulances and rescue squad emergency service vehicles when responding to emergencies.
(4)	To vehicles operated by county fire marshals and civil preparedness coordinators when traveling in the performances of their duties.
(b)	The exemptions in subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to law enforcement officers and others while on routine patrol, when not pursuing an identified violator, or when not responding to a specific emergency. 
(c)	The exemptions in subsection (a) of this section shall not protect the driver of any vehicle from the consequence of a reckless disregard of the safety of others."
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective October 1, 2003.