First respondersput their lives on the line to save others. The least we can offer them is some gratitude and courtesy. For example, moving over when we see their flashing lights or hear their sirens. Or not blocking them in when we are in a rush and can’t find parking.Unfortunately, as we’ve come to know, there are manyentitled peopleon this planet who somehow believe the world revolves around them.
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It can be super frustrating to deal with entitled people who have no common sense
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But when two Karens blocked an ambulance, it literally became a life-and-death situation
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Image credits:Retiredmedic613
In many countries, it is a criminal offense to obstruct emergency services
In many situations, first responders are allowed to break certain traffic rules. Not because they are above the law but because their jobs are important and they work to save lives. They can, for example, run a red light while rushing to an emergency, or park somewhere that we mere mortals cannot. And that is perfectly fine. These people are doing the work of angels after all.
In addition to having certain “privileges,” there are also laws that not only protect first responders but also the lives of those they’re helping.
Should you happen to be part of that third that’s unenlightened, here’s what you need to know:
If there’s an emergency vehicle with flashing lights stopped on or next to a roadway, you, as an approaching driver, must “change into a lane not immediately adjacent to the vehicle, or slow down to a reasonable speed if you’re unable to safely make a lane change.”
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“This can include preventing or delaying emergency personnel from accessing a patient or refusing to allow them to transport a patient to a medical facility.”
The firm notes that in order to be found guilty of breaking this law, the prosecution “must prove that the defendant had the specific intent to obstruct or delay the provision of emergency medical services.” Basically, if you knew your actions were illegal and you still went ahead and stopped or delayed an emergency worker from doing their job, you could find yourself in big trouble.
Obstructing emergency medical services is a Class A misdemeanor and carries a sentence of up to a year in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.
You may or may not live in a city, state or country that has laws protecting first responders and those they’re helping. Regardless, it can’t hurt to do the decent thing. Dropping the entitlement and putting others first might very well help to save a life.
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