I don't know anything in detail about this particular event but generally speaking, emergency services have the right to damage property in order to save a life or prevent large-scale damage of another property. I agree with that. In the case of fires or also medical emergencies, every second counts and there's really no time to push away some car.
Besides, I don't know how it is in America but in many countries, having a car insurance is mandatory for car owners. So in a case like this, the insurance would of course come up for the damages.
Fuck them, they know what hydrants are for and the law says no parking their for a reason. Personally, I'd smash their car AND press criminal charges against the owner for reckless endangerment.
It's the same concept as EMT's who cut through your clothes so that they are able to see the injuries to your body...which would you be more upset over...a ruined dress, or car, or dying or your entire house and every single one of your belongings being incinerated or the loss of potential life because someone was like, but what about that one guys car who can't read the thousands of clearly printed signs that say "do not park here." You will win no sympathy, legal or otherwise, from me in either case, which are truly life and death.
I think it's a great... You're not supposed to park that close to a fire hydrant if you do you're breaking the law and taking a risk. If your car gets damaged it's on you. The firefighters have a job to do and lives to save they will crush your car like a soda can if they need to and I'm all for it...
People who park in front of fire hydrants are breaking the law. The law is there for a reason: firefighters need access to the hydrants! If the car is really in the way and the firefighters can't work around it without losing precious time, I think they have the right to damage the car.
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We don't usuallyhave that same problem here in the UK , hydrants tend to on pedestrian pavements , or on side of some buildings , marked with a yellow H plate. These normally have the double yellow lines on the road nest to them... it is illegal to park on double yellows.
Former retained ( on call part time ) firefighter ( my watch was disbanded in 2012... thanks to " government " budget cuts , so the full timers have no on call back up ) The firefighters did what was necessary , so many people are idiots and / or self centred.
They don't hand out a driver's license just 'cause you pay them some money. You're required to take a test and LEARN the "Rule of the Road". As I recall, parking in front of a fire hydrant is illegal in any state I've lived in or even visited. Doing that will either get you a ticket, or your car broken if firefighters need access to that hydrant. Anyone who parks in front of one, gets what they deserve. You KNEW better than to park there.
@LegateLanius - at your age, you should know better than think ANY city would be held liable for any damages to a vehicle parked in front of a fire hydrant done by the fire dept. You are 150% totally wrong on this point!
It's funny. I like. It's the law. It isn't wrong. It is ILLEGAL to park in front of fire hydrants because when there is a fire the fire department has to be able to ACCESS the water.
They deserve it. I laugh at those cars and the self absorbed owners that block them. I wish the damage to the car was greater.
Well I get the impression they sometimes do so unnecessarily but I don't know if that is true
Do they really need to run the hose through the car? Why not just across the hood or whatever?
I think that they should not damage them if there is no actual need to do so though they should not go terribly out of their way to prevent it either
Whoever has parked like that is eligible for a fine anyway and I don't know if there are provisions for it but if not there ought to be so younger an even greater fine if the hydrant is actually needed
Parking in front of a fire hydrant is illegal and unsafe. What are they supposed to do, let a dozen or more people die and then charge you with however many counts of either murder or manslaughter since you caused it? If they had the opportunity to go around it and broke the car I might feel differently, but in that video specifically the man left no room, he put other people's lives at risk and left no other option for fire fighters, I have little remorse.
that's what they get for parking there. during the written test, before you can even partake in actual driving lessons, they should've learned not to park next to a fire hydrant. so, don't go complaining if firefighters destroys the windows to save lives, don't complain about getting a ticket either.
I support the fire fighters on this one. Because there is a car in front the fire has more time to spread as the car is in the way of getting to the hydrant. So that the person is stupid enough to block it deserves what happened to him. Lives can be safed in those few seconds or minutes.
One thing I would like to mention before answring is: Is it really that hard to throw the hose over the car or push it under to reach the hydrant?
And to answer, I think it is okay to damage the car because you can get another car but you can't bring back a life.
They tell you not to park in front of fire hydrants for a reason. Fire Fighters have a VERY important job to do, if an asshole parks in front of a fire hydrant and the Fire Fighters have to bust up your car to get the hose through to do their job, then the mother fucker deserves to have his can busted, I'll even go as far as saying his/her issuance shouldn't pay for repairs.
It's the law where I live, you can't park within 50 feet of a hydrant. We also have "emergency routes" in the winter. For both of these legal zones if your car is in the way (especially if it's stuck in snow) the firetrucks or plows can smash it out of the way.
Shows people who thumb their noses at "don't park in front of fire hydrants" that you got what you deserved.
u These people bring it on themselves. The law says "don't park your dang cars in front of fire hydrants". Fire fighters care more about doing their job than they do about your Mercedes or BMW. It's not rocket science.
It's common sense. You don't park in front of fire hydrants and you don't part in front of people's driveways. The fact that it's also illegal doesn't really detract from the fact that it's stupid and stupid should be punished.
It's unnecessary and unexcused if they can avoid it, but if it is a life or death situation and there is no way around it, then sure, the owner will be pissed but will also understand. Still pissed though.
People shouldn't complain about having a damaged car when there are lives being saved.
Additionally, the fire hydrants are clear and in view so if you don't want it to be damaged don't part right next to it T__T
If someone is enough of a dumbass to park in front of a fire hydrant, they deserve to have their car damaged.
You're not supposed to park in front of a fire hydrant in the first place, otherwise, they can legally do it to access the water they need and still fine you for it.
I am not against it cuz someone life is far more important than my property but if there is a way to save both, than its not a bad idea to piss someone off.
Definitely support the firefighters. Have heard of them doing this before and if it's necessary, it's necessary. The law says you shouldn't be parked in front of a hydrant anyway.
All for it. It’s obstructing the process of saving lives and property - if they want to leave their car there then they can deal with the fall out
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