In some event of a car crash, an accident, there are two German laws that you need to focus on and always remember as a non-German.
The first law (created in the 1960s) says that you must stop and provide basic first aid to those injured or wounded.
The law was centered on road accidents, which had seen a serious increase in the 1950s, and was supposed to relieve you (the innocent bystander) of mistakes in a first aid situation. You have to remember....to get your license, you had to take a basic first aid course.
The law says that on any city street, county road, or autobahn....in the event of an accident, you will stop and render help. If you've stopped and simply linger around....watching the event as a 'show'.....it's an act that can get you police attention and possibly a serious hour in court.
The second law (created in the past two years) says that you can't stand around and take pictures of an accident scene. This also means if in a vehicle and allowed to pass the 'crash'....you can't have your phone out and snapping pictures as you pass the wounded area.
Journalists with waivers? Yes.
Tracking you down via social media usage of the photos? The police could do so, if pressed by authorities.
So use common sense, and if in some spot where an accident has occurred....the last thing you want to do is be seen taking photos of the scene. Offer first aid, if necessary, and then quietly leave the area when emergency services have arrived.
2 comments:
I thought the first one got relaxed? i.e. It was no longer mandatory after some incidents of fake accidents leading to sexual assaults?
The law is on the books, but viewed in different ways. On autobahn accidents, I think most Germans upon arriving on a scene will carry out the first aid help until the fire department arrives. The idea of arriving on a scene having nothing to do with the autobahn will be where some people debate if they should stop.
It's like the call for 'civil reaction'....it's not a law, and the cops don't endorse it, but political groups hype up the idea that when some ethnic/migrant/asylum guy is criticized or confronted by 'bad' Germans, you need to step up and show 'civil courage'. Most Germans will tell you to avoid that type of confrontation and just walk away.
A lot of this was written or created in the 'old days'. People perceive things differently today.
Post a Comment