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Driver's license revocation for gawkers: protection for rescue workers required!
Government factions of the CDU and SPD are considering revoking driver's licenses for bystanders in traffic accidents in order to protect rescue workers.
Driver's license revocation for gawkers: protection for rescue workers required!
In Germany, things are becoming increasingly serious when it comes to the behavior of onlookers during traffic accidents. The government factions of the Union and SPD have now accepted the demand of the German Fire Brigade Association: onlookers, also known as gawkers, could lose their driver's license in the future if they hinder the deployment of rescue workers. The initiative is a response to the dangerous circumstances that arise in accidents, where not only those affected but also the helpers are often at risk.
The legal policy spokeswoman for the CDU/CSU, Susanne Hierl, points out the responsibility of the constitutional state. “We have to protect the accident victims,” said Hierl. It's no secret that gawkers often do more harm than good: not only do they cause emergency lanes to become clogged, but they also make the work of rescue workers more difficult. The SPD parliamentary group lawyer Johannes Fechner supports this idea and calls for the suspension of driving licenses for gawkers to be anchored in the planned law to protect police and rescue workers. This would send a clear message: such behavior can have consequences.
Protection of the helpers
Karl-Heinz Banse, President of the German Fire Brigade Association, comments on the challenges that rescue workers are facing today. In the New Osnabrücker Zeitung He emphasizes that nowadays firefighters no longer just have to rescue people from wrecks, but also actively try to keep onlookers away. “Our focus used to be on rescuing accident victims, but today we also have to pay attention to the showmanship that goes with it,” warns Banse. He sees harsh penalties, including driver's license suspension, as necessary measures to deter gawkers and ensure the safety of those who want to help.
Currently, gawking is only partially punishable. Anyone who just watches and does not actively intervene in the operation is at most committing an administrative offense. The law provides, that peeping is generally not prohibited unless there are crowds of people who do not want to disperse. In this case, onlookers face a fine of up to 1,000 euros. But that doesn't seem to be enough because the sanctions so far have not had enough of a deterrent effect.
A necessary step?
The discussion about driving license revocation shows a growing awareness of the problem. In view of the increasing violence against paramedics, firefighters and police officers, it is high time for politicians to act. The demand for harsher punishments in the reporting of the time becomes clear, needs broad support to have a real impact. “We have to protect the rescue workers,” emphasizes Banse. So the debate is in full swing and it will be exciting to see how politicians react to it.
So there is a lot to be said about this topic, because every minute counts when it comes to people's lives. Perhaps a driver's license revocation will actually ensure that some viewers pay better attention to the operations of the rescue services in the future and ensure their safety.