“I Called The Police”: Entitled Karens Block Ambulance, Almost Costs Person Their Life

First responders put their lives on the line to save others. The least we can offer them is some gratitude and courtesy. For example, moving over when we see their flashing lights or hear their sirens. Or not blocking them in when we are in a rush and can’t find parking. Unfortunately, as we’ve come to know, there are many entitled people on this planet who somehow believe the world revolves around them.

One first responder had the displeasure of having to deal with not one but two Karens while on standby for his job as a paramedic and firefighter. The man’s wife shared how her husband had reversed the ambulance into his driveway in the event he may be called to an emergency. Not long after, two cars were parking him in. Knowing the dangers of not being able to get the ambulance out, the wife called the police. When Karen 1 & 2 arrived to find their vehicles gone, all hell broke loose.

It can be super frustrating to deal with entitled people who have no common sense

Woman on phone looking upset, sitting on a couch, raising hand in frustration.

Image credits: shotprime/Envato (not the actual photo)

But when two Karens blocked an ambulance, it literally became a life-and-death situation

Question about driveway parking and legal car removal, mentioning past rental near a high school.

Text about a firefighter and paramedic's schedule related to school activities.

Text detailing parking logistics at a house and implications for neighborhood parking situations, related to entitled Karens.

Text describing an evening ambulance call and parking strategy. Keywords: entitled Karens, ambulance.

Text image about vehicles blocking access during an event near a school.

Text recounting a call to local police about entitled Karens blocking an ambulance.

An ambulance driving with lights on in an urban setting.

Image credits: karrastock/Envato (not the actual photo)

Text on image about questioning ambulance response, related to entitled behavior and consequences.

Text about vehicles being towed, followed by a heart attack emergency, linked to entitled Karens blocking an ambulance.

Text describing an event where vehicles were taken, causing drivers to call the police, linking to the keyword “Entitled Karens.”

Text about drivers being ticketed for blocking an emergency vehicle.

Text about individuals paying hefty fines and tow bills for their actions.

Image credits: Retiredmedic613

In many countries, it is a criminal offense to obstruct emergency services

In many situations, first responders are allowed to break certain traffic rules. Not because they are above the law but because their jobs are important and they work to save lives. They can, for example, run a red light while rushing to an emergency, or park somewhere that we mere mortals cannot. And that is perfectly fine. These people are doing the work of angels after all.

In addition to having certain “privileges,” there are also laws that not only protect first responders but also the lives of those they’re helping.

All 50 states in America have “Move Over” laws to protect law enforcement officers, medical personnel and other first responders. But according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a third of Americans aren’t aware of these laws. “Violation of the Move Over law results in fines and in some cases jail time,” notes the NHTSA website.

Should you happen to be part of that third that’s unenlightened, here’s what you need to know:

If there’s an emergency vehicle with flashing lights stopped on or next to a roadway, you, as an approaching driver, must “change into a lane not immediately adjacent to the vehicle, or slow down to a reasonable speed if you’re unable to safely make a lane change.”

Ambulance parked, with "Ambulance" sign visible, in a tree-lined area, related to a story involving entitled individuals.

Image credits: Curated Lifestyle/Unsplash (not the actual photo)

This applies to all vehicles on the road, regardless of the direction of travel, with only one exception, warns the Kellum Law Firm. “If you are driving on a four-lane highway divided by a median, cars traveling in the opposite direction as the emergency vehicle are not required to pull over and stop.”

There’s also the New York Penal Law § 195.16, which makes it a criminal offense to obstruct emergency medical services. “Under this law, a person is guilty of obstructing emergency medical services when they intentionally obstruct, hinder, or delay the provision of emergency medical services by emergency medical personnel or other authorized personnel,” explain the legal experts at Stephen Bilkis & Associates on their site.

“This can include preventing or delaying emergency personnel from accessing a patient or refusing to allow them to transport a patient to a medical facility.”

The firm notes that in order to be found guilty of breaking this law, the prosecution “must prove that the defendant had the specific intent to obstruct or delay the provision of emergency medical services.” Basically, if you knew your actions were illegal and you still went ahead and stopped or delayed an emergency worker from doing their job, you could find yourself in big trouble.

Obstructing emergency medical services is a Class A misdemeanor and carries a sentence of up to a year in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.

You may or may not live in a city, state or country that has laws protecting first responders and those they’re helping. Regardless, it can’t hurt to do the decent thing. Dropping the entitlement and putting others first might very well help to save a life.

“Pig ignorant”: people praised the wife for the way she handled the situation

Comment discussing behavior of people blocking an ambulance.

Comment criticizing people for blocking an ambulance, suggesting it’s foolish behavior.

Text highlighting consequences of blocking ambulance path.

Comment about using a dozer if someone blocks driveway, involving entitled actions.

Text comment praising action, mentioning "pig ignorant" people.

Comment about tow fees in Washington state related to entitled Karens blocking an ambulance.

Text comment by Betty Wood discussing parking issues and being blocked in.

Comment by Victoria Hay questioning entitled Karens who ignore laws, expressing frustration.

Netizens flooded the comments with similar stories of how they’d dealt with entitled people parking like idiots

Text narrating a personal story about parking issues in Hayama Japan.

Text image describing an argument over parking laws and a blocked entrance by entitled individuals.

Text about an altercation involving blocking, police, and legal consequences. Key mention: entitled actions and repercussions.

Text describing parking issues near a church, mentioning driveway blockages by entitled individuals.

Text describing entitled individuals blocking a driveway and facing consequences for blocking an ambulance.

Text about neighbors hosting parties, causing vehicle congestion but staying polite, except for one incident.

Text description of an encounter with an entitled person blocking a driveway and being confronted.

Text recounting an incident of neighbors blocking a driveway, leading to emergency vehicle obstruction and legal consequences.

Text describing a dispute over blocked driveways and ambulance issues, highlighting frustrations with neighbors.

Text about a car blocking a factory gate, leading to a hefty penalty.

Text describing a legal issue involving a driver receiving a ticket for blocking an ambulance.

Text discussing challenges of parking near county fair and sharing a small house.

Text describing a tow truck driver's experience with illegally parked cars blocking an alleyway.

Text describing conflict over blocked garage access in a fire lane-marked area.

Text describing a situation where entitled Karens block emergency services and face consequences.

Text image describing an incident where a car blocks access for a funeral; police involvement leads to resolution for entitled individuals.

Text story about a Corvette owner and sprinklers; SEO keywords: Entitled Karens block ambulance, pay price.

Text discusses towing vehicles at owner's expense due to blocked ambulance by entitled individuals.

Text conversation about a landlord renting parking space during stadium events, highlighting an opportunity missed.

Poll Question

Total votes ·

Thanks! Check out the results:

Total votes ·

Newsletter

Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls

Subscribe

By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.

Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!

Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!

Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda!