– Human life and health are paramount, and nothing can justify the conduct of people who put them at risk – officers from Lubin emphasize. – Saying “I had nowhere else to park” or “I’ll only be a moment” in no way releases drivers who park on fire routes from responsibility.
Police officers from the Lubin traffic unit, together with firefighters, conducted an exercise intended to make drivers aware of the dangers posed by blocking such routes.
A report of smoke in a stairwell. The alarm is raised and, after a few minutes, fire engines arrive at the scene. They stop... a dozen or so metres from their destination because their route is blocked by a vehicle parked on a fire route. Police officers arrive and quickly identify the driver, who was on site. In reality, however, this time varies. The car owner does not always live in that block or even in the city. Precious seconds pass very quickly in such a situation, while the danger increases with every moment. Instead of starting their operation, emergency services have to deal with a parked vehicle. Let us remember that one day we may find ourselves in a situation where we need help.
Police remind everyone:
- people who hinder rescue operations, particularly by blocking access to the scene of a fire, may be subject to arrest, a fine of up to PLN 500, or a reprimand
- in the case of a fire route that is an internal road, the signs used—residential area, traffic zone, no stopping, or towing—enable the police to take action. Regulations allow an improperly parked vehicle to be towed away
- if a public road is also a fire route, then breaching the regulations governing vehicle stopping and parking may result in measures provided for by the Code of Petty Offences. A vehicle parked in a prohibited place and obstructing traffic or otherwise endangering safety may be towed away. A vehicle may also be towed from a public road if its driver parks on a section where road signs indicate that the parked vehicle will be removed at the owner’s expense.
KPP Lubin/ii