Can he be charged for anything??

CIARAN_BOYLE

Was out the other day and heard a siren and the repeated beep of a car horn.

Looking up I saw a fire engine with full siren and a car who felt it was their right to drive without pulling out of the way.

There was numerous opportunities for the car to pull in at the side but there was no opportunities for the Fire Engine to accelerate out into another lane and overtake.

This carried on for about 500 meters before the fire engine was able to pull into another lane and overtake

Could the driver of the car be charged for anything or does a siren have any standing in law at all?

MagicSean

I'd have no problem issuing him a fixed charge penalty under 51a of the Road Traffic Acts. There are other offences that may apply but I think that would be the most appropriate. Unfortunately it happens all the time to the emergency services and the crews involved tend to be focused on other matters rather than noting a registration number.

subrosa

The Criminal Justice Act 2006 (s.185) amended s.19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 to create the offence of wilfully obstructing or impeding a peace officer acting in the execution of their duty. The definition of peace officer is expanded to include members of the Fire Brigade. The penalty is up to 2,500 euro fine or 6 months or both.

To be honest, deliberately blocking a fire truck is the behavior of a jackass. I'd have no problem with a month or two in prison.

coylemj

In this case the car driver did appear to be a complete jackass if he ignored opportunities to pull out of the way. However I have heard fire brigade drivers on TV say that in some cases it's better if the driver in front just keeps going at a safe speed until there is a lay-by or bus stop where it's safe to pull over.

What they do not like to see is what a lot of women do which is to panic and attempt to drive up on to the footpath even where there is a significant step making it impossible to get out of the way at that particular spot. I've seen it happen often where the driver in front of the fire brigade gets into a tizzy and you'd be saying to yourself and them: 'would you ever just drive ahead in front of the fire brigade and get the fcuk out of the way when there's a spot to pull over'! Often the lights change and the people in the outer lane get out of the way thereby allowing the fire brigade to pass while the driver in the left lane is still trying to mount the footpath and wreck their front bearings.

MagicSean

coylemj wrote: »

In this case the car driver did appear to be a complete jackass if he ignored opportunities to pull out of the way. However I have heard fire brigade drivers on TV say that in some cases it's better if the driver in front just keeps going at a safe speed until there is a lay-by or bus stop where it's safe to pull over.

What they do not like to see is what a lot of women do which is to panic and attempt to drive up on to the footpath even where there is a significant step making it impossible to get out of the way at that particular spot. I've seen it happen often where the driver in front of the fire brigade gets into a tizzy and you'd be saying to yourself and them: 'would you ever just drive ahead in front of the fire brigade and get the fcuk out of the way when there's a spot to pull over'! Often the lights change and the people in the outer lane get out of the way thereby allowing the fire brigade to pass while the driver in the left lane is still trying to mount the footpath and wreck their front bearings.

Unfortunately stupidity is rampant on irish roads.

daenerysstormborn3

coylemj wrote: »

In this case the car driver did appear to be a complete jackass if he ignored opportunities to pull out of the way. However I have heard fire brigade drivers on TV say that in some cases it's better if the driver in front just keeps going at a safe speed until there is a lay-by or bus stop where it's safe to pull over.

What they do not like to see is what a lot of women do which is to panic and attempt to drive up on to the footpath even where there is a significant step making it impossible to get out of the way at that particular spot. I've seen it happen often where the driver in front of the fire brigade gets into a tizzy and you'd be saying to yourself and them: 'would you ever just drive ahead in front of the fire brigade and get the fcuk out of the way when there's a spot to pull over'! Often the lights change and the people in the outer lane get out of the way thereby allowing the fire brigade to pass while the driver in the left lane is still trying to mount the footpath and wreck their front bearings.

Seriously?

coylemj

pixiebean22 wrote: »

Seriously?

Yes, they typically panic and do completely stupid things (like mount the pavement) when they spot the blue flashing light in the rear-view mirror. I don't care if it's politically incorrect to say so, it happens.

When I see an ambulance or fire brigade in my rear view mirror, the first thing I do is make sure to get the fcuk out of the way of any female driver in my vicinity because there's no knowing what they'll do.

aN.Droid

coylemj wrote: »

Yes, they typically panic and do completely stupid things (like mount the pavement) when they spot the blue flashing light in the rear-view mirror. I don't care if it's politically incorrect to say so, it happens.

When I see an ambulance or fire brigade in my rear view mirror, the first thing I do is make sure to get the fcuk out of the way of any female driver in my vicinity because there's no knowing what they'll do.

Can opened, worms everywhere!

On topic: In certain circumstances it may not be safe to pull over but if this was not one of those times that guy was a plonker.

Or maybe he was dead behind the wheel with his foot on the accelerator.

coylemj

If I said that women drivers were safer drivers and less aggressive than male drivers (which I believe is the case), nobody would bat an eyelid so let it cut both ways.

aN.Droid

coylemj wrote: »

If I said that women drivers were safer drivers and less aggressive than male drivers (which I believe is the case), nobody would bat an eyelid so let it cut both ways.

That's not a derogatory statement though is it?

Let's stay on topic though.

ahnowbrowncow

Limericks wrote: »

That's not a derogatory statement though is it?

Let's stay on topic though.

Yes it is

coylemj

Limericks wrote: »

That's not a derogatory statement though is it?

Let's stay on topic though.

Didn't know there was a boards rule about only saying nice things about other people. In fact what I said could be construed as derogatory towards male drivers.

And let's not drift into backseat modding either.

coylemj

Limericks wrote: »

Can opened, worms everywhere!

On topic: In certain circumstances it may not be safe to pull over but if this was not one of those times that guy was a plonker.

The OP didn't identify the gender of the offending motorist.

foggy_lad

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Was out the other day and heard a siren and the repeated beep of a car horn.

Looking up I saw a fire engine with full siren and a car who felt it was their right to drive without pulling out of the way.

There was numerous opportunities for the car to pull in at the side but there was no opportunities for the Fire Engine to accelerate out into another lane and overtake.

This carried on for about 500 meters before the fire engine was able to pull into another lane and overtake

Could the driver of the car be charged for anything or does a siren have any standing in law at all?

In your opinion there were occasions that the driver could have pulled in to allow the fire brigade vehicle past, but the driver may have decided that pulling in may have created more of an obstruction than anything else and may well have impeded the progress of the fire brigade especially if s/he was unable to pull off the road completely and the fire brigade truck was unable to pass due to oncoming traffic.

The driver could possible be charged with a number of offences but it may not result in any convictions as it would be hard to prove there was intent to impede the fire brigade or any emergency vehicle.

aN.Droid

ahnowbrowncow wrote: »

Yes it is

coylemj wrote: »

Didn't know there was a boards rule about only saying nice things about other people. In fact what I said could be construed as derogatory towards male drivers.

And let's not drift into backseat modding either.

Sorry, my bad. Ofcourse your right. A little tired tonight.

Not trying to backseat mod. Just would like the thread to stay on topic. Apologies to all for the derailment.