Speed limited ambulances in Japan

One of the very first things I observed when I arrived to Japan is how slowly ambulances drive in an emergency. And over the years it's always baffled and concerned me that ambulances drive so slowly.

I was reminded of it last week when my son remarked to me how quickly the ambulances drive, in an emergency, in Ireland. Even though he is Japan born and bred, he seems to think the Irish way is better. The ambulances here do at least 80 kilometres an hour in an emergency,　Whereas in Japan they rarely go above 60 kilometers an hour. 

A bit of research revealed that ambulances in Japan have to follow the rules of the road, including speed limits. Which explains why they are so slow in my area of Japan where the average speed limit is 40 kilometers per hour, even though the standard is 60 kph.

Meanwhile in my home country, when an ambulance has its sirens and flashing lights on, it can exceed the speed limit. What about in your home country: can ambulances exceed the speed limit in an emergency?