Driver fined for entering a public transport lane while giving way to firefighters

A driver in Latvia who was travelling in a Renault Master says he received a fine for entering a public transport lane while trying to give way to a fire engine. He described his experience on the auto news portal iAuto.lv and attached a video so readers can judge the situation themselves. The Administrative Court left the decision on the fine unchanged, so the case has also been reviewed in court.

The driver's account

The man says that on the road he faced a situation in which he had to make room for emergency vehicles. So that the firefighters could pass safely and without hindrance, he moved into the public transport lane. According to him, his aim was not to bypass a traffic jam or gain any advantage, but to clear the way for rescuers. The municipal police imposed a monetary fine for the manoeuvre.

A question of assessment

The author stresses that he does not believe good intentions automatically remove responsibility. At the same time, he argues that in such cases authorities should also consider why the driver made the manoeuvre. In his view, his experience shows that a wish to help does not always protect a person from a penalty.

He urges other motorists to be careful and to weigh every manoeuvre, even when they want to assist firefighters, an ambulance or the police. The publication is the driver's own account and opinion. The source does not give the amount of the fine, the location, or any comment from the municipal police or the court.