Quote:
Originally Posted by MnGirl
Turtle crossing CR466 (no shoulder). Driver stops, gets out of car to help turtle. Another driver rear-ends stopped car. Is it okay to stop and help wildlife, when you can't secure your own car? Besides the turtle, who's at fault? Does anyone know a law that would pertain to this?  |
If a driver stops and gets out of car on the traveled portion of the roadway he/she has committed a traffic offense. Maybe two; if the engine was left running then that is a separate offense; obstructing the highway is the first.
As you describe it, the second car is not "following too close" because the first driver has had time to get out of the car before it is struck. I'm not sure why you think the stopped/parked car would be struck, but assuming it happened then the second driver might be charged with some offense related to inattention to driving. Otherwise, why would he/she strike a stopped car?