(a) The driver of an ambulance on the public streets, highways, and private access roads of this state, when responding to an emergency call or while transporting a patient, shall be authorized to operate the ambulance as an emergency vehicle pursuant to Code Section 40-6-6.

(b) The driver of an emergency organ transport vehicle on the public streets, highways, and private access roads of this state, when transporting necessary personnel, organs, tissue, or medical supplies to a time-critical organ transplant procedure, shall be authorized to operate the emergency organ transport vehicle as an emergency vehicle pursuant to Code Section 40-6-6.