Status: 16.01.2024, 16:30 PM
By: Sebastian Oppenheimer
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Gawking at accidents is not only irreverent – onlookers often obstruct rescue workers as well. But in the meantime, those who do not repent are threatened with high penalties.
Anyone who has ever had an accident knows how agonizingly long the time it takes for emergency services to arrive. Unfortunately, it is often not always easy for ambulances, police cars and fire engines to get through to the scene of an accident these days. Valuable minutes pass, for example, because those who are unreasonable do not form a proper emergency lane. But there is another unpleasant phenomenon that makes the work of rescuers extremely difficult: gawkers. Depending on the behavior, however, there are now harsh penalties for this.
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Sensationalism can also be a reason for long traffic jams
After accidents, there are often long traffic jams, especially on the motorway. For example, the closure of a lane is only one of the reasons why progress is slow. It is often sensationalism that makes drivers drive past the scene of an accident particularly slowly in order to catch a glimpse of the broken cars or the victims. In principle, the ADAC recommends the following course of action in the event of an accident:
- As soon as the traffic comes to a standstill: form an emergency lane
- Pass the scene of the accident quickly – do not stop, jostle or overtake under any circumstances
- Never hinder the work of the rescuers
- Instructions from the police and other emergency services must be followed
Gawkers at the scene of an accident have to reckon with high fines – especially if they take pictures or film. (Symbolic image) © vmd-images/Imago
Participate: Stickers against gawkers
Just remind motorists behind you: "Gawking is not an option". There are many different, sometimes funny stickers with sayings for this. For example, the sticker "Help instead of gawking" (promotional link) or Helping instead of gawking – you monkeys (promotional link).
Fines and imprisonment: Different penalties for gawkers
Anyone who does not comply with this must expect penalties. Gawking can be considered an administrative offence according to § 113 of the Administrative Offences Act (OWiG). It states: Anyone who joins a gathering or does not leave it, even though they have been asked to do so several times by emergency services, must expect a fine of up to 1,000 euros.
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In addition, gawking is often accompanied by an obstruction of the rescue services - and this can also be punished. According to Section 323c of the Criminal Code (StGB), a fine or up to one year in prison is imposed on anyone who prevents emergency services from providing assistance to a third person. It is the same penalty that applies to failure to render assistance.
Filming and photographing accident victims or dead people: There is even the threat of imprisonment
What is also absolutely not possible: photographing and filming at the scene of the accident. This is necessary for reasons of piety. Anyone who makes recordings anyway must expect high penalties. According to §201a (StGB), someone who "produces or transmits an image that displays the helplessness of another person without authorization and thereby violates the highly personal sphere of life of the person depicted" can be punished with a fine or, in extreme cases, even with up to two years in prison. Since 2021, the same has also applied to photographing and filming the dead.