Does a White Cloth Give a Driver Special Rights?
No.
One of the most common misconceptions is that displaying a white cloth gives a private vehicle emergency privileges or automatically grants it the right of way. It does not.
Emergency traffic privileges are reserved for authorized vehicles operating under the applicable laws, such as ambulances, police vehicles, and fire engines. A privately owned car displaying a piece of white fabric remains subject to ordinary traffic regulations.
The driver cannot legally use the signal as a justification to run red lights, exceed speed limits, drive in restricted lanes, or disregard other traffic rules.
Other motorists may choose to give the vehicle additional space or yield when it is safe to do so, but the white cloth itself is not a legal command. It is simply an informal request for attention or assistance.
