Climate protests of the “last generation”: Drivers have to keep a cool head
Created: 09/11/2022, 09:30
By: Simon Mones
The “last generation” keeps causing a stir with sit-ins.
However, drivers should exercise patience instead of acting on their own initiative.
Hardly a day goes by without protests from climate activists of the “last generation”.
The result: traffic jams and frustration among drivers who show little understanding for the actions.
It is not uncommon for these to try to clear the street of activists with their own hands.
But is that even legal and how can motorists defend themselves?
For the answer to this question, it is irrelevant whether the protests of the climate stickers are legal or whether the rescue workers are hindered in their work as a result.
Drivers should therefore carefully consider how they react to road blockades by activists from groups like Last Generation.
Instead of dragging the activists off the road themselves, motorists should wait for the police.
© Paul Zinken/dpa
Climate protests of the “last generation”: Drivers have to keep a cool head
However, the top rule is always: Drivers should not try to drag the climate activists off the road, as a man tried to do near Munich, for example.
That could be taken as a requirement.
"Whereas coercion and possibly bodily harm could be justified when it comes to emergency aid - you enable doctors to get to the patient, you help the person who needs medical help," traffic attorney Uwe Lenhart explained to
t-online.de
.
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Only the police have the right to break up the sit-ins and ask the demonstrators to leave the road.
Other measures - for example, if the activists are stuck on the street - may only be initiated by the officials.
“Last generation” climate protests: Social media could provide clues
So what to do?
The traffic lawyer's recommendation is clear: avoid conflicts with the climate demonstrators.
Since the protests are not announced, drivers should plan more time in rush hour traffic.
In order to be able to react in time, you should also listen to traffic reports on the radio and avoid traffic jams as far as possible.
Another option is to check the police and Last Generation social media accounts to see if there are any protests going on.
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Apps such as Google Maps or modern navigation systems can also help drivers avoid road blockades by climate activists.
This is possible thanks to real-time data.
Traffic jams are recognized early and alternative routes are suggested.
But if you're already stuck in traffic because of a protest, unfortunately there's only one thing you can do: keep a cool head until the activists have cleared the field.
