Bonduel Fire Chief Kevin Lynch doesn’t like it when people use their phones while driving — and he really doesn’t like it when they record a live accident scene when they’re behind the wheel.
Lynch followed up on a Facebook post of a Nov. 26 accident with some strong words for the driver.
“You do not get to use your phone while driving through our scene,” he said. “You do not get to make content at the cost of someone’s safety. You do not get to turn my firefighters into targets because you wanted a video.”
A driver posted footage of a Nov. 26 accident as they were driving past on the highway. Lynch pointed out that the recording is not only dangerous for everyone involved, it’s also illegal.
“Wisconsin law makes it illegal to use a handheld phone within 500 feet of a crash scene while driving,” he said. “That law protects the responders who are trying to keep the scene stable and the roadway open.”
Lynch said the driver put firefighters in danger when making a video of the crash.
“You drove through an active crash scene with your phone up, recording like it was a show,” Lynch said. “You forced responders to shift their focus from the hazard zone to watch you. That shift creates risk for everyone on that scene.
“You create danger every time you film while driving. You slow traffic. You miss instructions. You clip cones. You distract the crews trying to keep the scene safe. My people stand inches from moving traffic. One wrong move from you can take them out.”
Lynch pointed out that when firefighters are able to get a license plate of the offending vehicle, they turn the information over to police.
“If you see flashing lights, put your phone down, slow your vehicle and give responders room to work,” he said. “My firefighters want to go home tonight. Your video is not worth their lives.”
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
