(1) Persons, motor vehicles and equipment employed or used by a public or telecommunications utility, electric cooperative or by the United States, this state or any political subdivision of this state are exempt from the provisions of the vehicle code specified in subsection (3) of this section while on a highway and working or being used to service, construct, maintain or repair the facilities of a utility.

(2) Persons, motor vehicles and equipment employed or being used in the construction or reconstruction of a street or highway are exempt from the provisions of the vehicle code specified in subsection (3) of this section if:

(a) They are within the immediate construction project as described in the governmental agency contract, if there is a contract; and

(b) The work is being done in an area that is signed in accordance with the manual adopted under ORS § 810.200.

(3) Persons, motor vehicles and equipment described in subsections (1) and (2) of this section are exempt from provisions of the vehicle code relating to rules of the road as described in ORS Chapter 811, except that this subsection does not apply to:

(a) Reckless driving, as defined in ORS § 811.140.

(b) Driving while under the influence of intoxicants, as defined in ORS § 813.010.

(c) Failure to perform the duties of a driver involved in a collision, as described in ORS § 811.700 or 811.705.

(d) Criminal driving while suspended or revoked, as defined in ORS § 811.182.

(e) Fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, as defined in ORS § 811.540.

(f) The provisions of ORS § 811.145, 811.155, 811.170 and 811.175.

(4) Motor vehicles and equipment being used in the area and in the manner described in subsection (2) of this section are also exempt from the provisions of the vehicle code relating to vehicle size and weight to the extent set out in the governmental agency contract.

(5) Devices moved exclusively on stationary rail tracks are exempt from the vehicle code.

(6) Devices that are powered exclusively by human power are not subject to those provisions of the vehicle code that relate to vehicles. Notwithstanding this subsection, bicycles are generally subject to the vehicle code as provided under ORS § 814.400.

(7) The exemptions in subsection (3) of this section do not apply to the persons and vehicles when traveling to or from the facilities or construction project. [1989 c.400 § 2 (enacted in lieu of 801.025); 1999 c.1051 § 82; 2018 c.22 § 5]