5 ms·

If you're blocking an emergency vehicle in the UK by bad parking they have the right to smash your vehicle to get past - and it's your fault.

teh_klev 10y ago
I'd like a citation for that, I don't think that's true. I imagine they can legally tow your vehicle away, but I reckon damaging the bodywork of your ambulance or fire appliance to move another vehicle out of the way is not standard operating procedure. There is however an act called the The Emergency Workers (Obstruction) Act 2006 [0] which makes it an offence to obstruct emergency vehicles. [0]: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-emergency-workers-obstruction-act-2006 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-emergency-wor...
- Symbiote 10y ago
  Fire And Rescue Services Act 2004 says they can "move or break into a vehicle without the consent of its owner". I don't know if that's sufficient. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/21/section/44 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/21/section/44
  - teh_klev 10y ago
    Sure, but GP's comment suggests ramming the vehicle out of the way on the way to a shout.
- diogenescynic 10y ago
  >I reckon damaging the bodywork of your ambulance or fire appliance to move another vehicle out of the way is not standard operating procedure. I think you misread the comment. He's saying the opposite, ambulances and firetrucks could damage a citizen's car if it's blocking the emergency vehicle--not the other way around.
  - teh_klev 10y ago
    > they have the right to smash your vehicle to get past Um...I'm pretty sure that reads as "if your car is in the way they get to drive into it to move it out of the way". I like to think our emergency services drivers aren't driving such a reckless manner as to be smashing into stationary vehicles along the way to a shout. Perhaps GP's comment is poorly worded and they mean that the emergency services have a right to break into a vehicle by way of smashing windows to facilitate its removal.
mdrzn 10y ago
Wow! Got any backup info on that? News that you've read or a recent law?

teh_klev 10y ago

I'd like a citation for that, I don't think that's true. I imagine they can legally tow your vehicle away, but I reckon damaging the bodywork of your ambulance or fire appliance to move another vehicle out of the way is not standard operating procedure. There is however an act called the The Emergency Workers (Obstruction) Act 2006 [0] which makes it an offence to obstruct emergency vehicles. [0]: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-emergency-workers-obstruction-act-2006 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-emergency-wor...

Symbiote 10y ago
Fire And Rescue Services Act 2004 says they can "move or break into a vehicle without the consent of its owner". I don't know if that's sufficient. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/21/section/44 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/21/section/44
- teh_klev 10y ago
  Sure, but GP's comment suggests ramming the vehicle out of the way on the way to a shout.
diogenescynic 10y ago
>I reckon damaging the bodywork of your ambulance or fire appliance to move another vehicle out of the way is not standard operating procedure. I think you misread the comment. He's saying the opposite, ambulances and firetrucks could damage a citizen's car if it's blocking the emergency vehicle--not the other way around.
- teh_klev 10y ago
  > they have the right to smash your vehicle to get past Um...I'm pretty sure that reads as "if your car is in the way they get to drive into it to move it out of the way". I like to think our emergency services drivers aren't driving such a reckless manner as to be smashing into stationary vehicles along the way to a shout. Perhaps GP's comment is poorly worded and they mean that the emergency services have a right to break into a vehicle by way of smashing windows to facilitate its removal.

mdrzn 10y ago

Wow! Got any backup info on that? News that you've read or a recent law?