This week marks Road Safety Week 2021 a time where people learn of the importance of safe driving and road use. 

As part of the week, new research has found that parking dangerously or inconsiderately could kill or cost a life. 

Many emergency services have said that due to bad parking they have lost vital time when on their way to an emergency. 

With this new knowledge, people are being asked to be 'Road Safety Heroes' by considering the needs of the blue light services when they park. 

What can you do to help?

Last year the emergency services attended over 6,000 vehicle incidents and over half of which involved the rescue of a trapped person and a third involved leaking fuel. 

With the morning and evening rush being the most common times for incidents to occur. 

Station Commander Bob Sprout of Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said to avoid vehicle accidents or dangerous parking you should: "Ask yourself – if I park here could a vehicle the size of mine get through?

"Because if not, then a fire appliance almost certainly can’t. Every second counts when someone needs the help of the fire service". 

Adding that "The positioning of parked cars could just make the difference between the emergency services being able to save a life or not".

How to park safely

  • Park close to the curb
  • Park straight with wheels straight 
  • Fold in wing mirrors
  • In narrow streets only park on one side of the road
  • Obey the Highway Code and road markings 
  • Do not park too close to corners or traffic calming measures 
  • Leave extra room at tight junctions 
  • Ask yourself: Could I get through this Space? If not a fire engine probably couldn't either.