[DavidI]

The police are supposed to respond Code 3 (red lights and siren) when there is an immediate urgency to get to a location quickly. This could be anything from a medical emergency such as a baby not breathing call, a traffic collision, or something else. It could also be a crime-in progress such as assault with a deadly weapon, domestic violence, robbery now, a shooting, etc. It could also be a request for back-up by another officer. There are a host of reasons as to why a police officer would drive this way. Sometimes, the speed or driving conditions do not warrant driving over the speed limit due to whether conditions, traffic, etc. In California, there are strict rules that the officer must follow which limits his personal civil liability when he is following the rules, using his red lights and siren as necessary, and showing due regard for the public. On some occasions, the officer drives like this without a good reason, but he puts himself and the public at risk and may be held liable should a collision occur.