Finding the perfect parking spot is the bane of every driver’s existence and but sometimes the desire for the closest spot can put others in danger. You’ve seen it, people illegally parking in front of fire hydrants for easy access, but firefighters are teaching these inconsiderate parkers that this is a matter of life and death.

Two months ago some New Jersey firefighters posted a photo of a car with the windows smashed and a hose snaked through with the caption, “This is what happens when you park in front of a hydrant. This was taken last night at the fire on Norway Avenue in the Bromley section of Hamilton. Reminder, it is against the law to park in front of a fire hydrant.”

Like it or not this expensive vehicle damage was well-deserved. Hydrants play a key role in firefighting, as the trucks themselves can only carry 500 gallons of water – enough to put out a “dumpster fire.” Station manager Martyn Hare of the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service re-iterated that convenience is not worth a life.

“We appreciate that people want to park outside their homes and aren’t doing it deliberately, but they have to help us help them,” said Hare, “We are asking residents to consider whether their parking could be putting lives at risk.”

Scroll down below to see photos of bad drivers who learned their lesson about hydrant parking the hard way.

Parking in front of a fire hydrant may seem convenient but it can put people’s lives in danger

Firefighters must be able to access these hydrants immediately and won’t hesitate to make your vehicle the victim of some collateral damage

Image credits: cityofmerced

Image credits: cityofmerced

Hydrants are essential in the firefighting process, as the trucks can only carry 500 gallons of water which is enough to put out a “dumpster fire”

Image credits: cityofmaryesther

Reconsider the next time you see that “open” hydrant parking spot, so your selfish parking doesn’t end up costing a life

Image credits: WOWT NBC

Image credits: nbcphiladelphia

Image credits: nbcphiladelphia

Image credits: wcvb

Image credits: nj

People were less than sympathetic to those with destroyed cars and hoped they had learned their lesson

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