Ungrateful Rescues
Driving Through Flooded Roads
By Daniel Muniz

During or after a heavy rainfall, a city or a highway department will put up barricades to stop traffic at low water crossings and at other dangerous stretches of roads. Unfortunately, certain individuals still ignore the warnings and then risk driving through an unsafe flooded street. Others may see no barricade in place and then assume that a water soaked road with a swift current going over it must still be safe to cross.

Just about every city and town has streets with low water crossings and roads that flood after a big downpour so it is not a big secret that this happens everywhere. But what is absolutely amazing is that people still want to drive through such hazardous roads. Oftentimes, the outcome results in firefighters risking their own lives attempting to save stranded motorists in treacherous swift currents.

Many municipalities have imposed stiff fines for drivers who ignore the barricades by driving around them and into the low water crossings that result in needing to be rescued. The fines are also levied to those who must be rescued when there are no barricades in place and should have known better but foolishly decided to drive through the flooded streets anyway.

Below is a quote from a couple who was rescued from their van in San Antonio, Texas after a flash flood:

In a swollen creek during the rescue of the Ivy’s, two firefighters were sucked under the swift current. The rescue team was swept downstream and then pulled to safety. The Ivy’s were later rescued by other firefighters. The live footage from a local news station vividly showed the heroics of the brave members of the fire department who risked everything to save this couple.

Afterwards, the city imposed two $400 fines on the Ivy’s for the rescue. As is done in many cities, these fines help deter the foolhardy from causing unnecessary risk and also to penalize those who have to be rescued.

After being fined, James Ivy then had the audacity to refuse to pay it because there were not any barricades in place that would have prevented him from driving into the swollen creek. Even though he had already admitted on live television that it was his fault to drive into that dangerous situation, James Ivy felt that it was the city’s responsibility to prevent him from his own stupidity. In other words, it was the city’s fault, not his.

First of all, it is not possible for a city of any size to simply push a button and then barricades instantaneously pop up at every dangerous section of roads and highways. It requires live human beings that are part of a crew to physically put up the barriers. And because of dangerous road and weather conditions, these crews are not able to put up barriers at every place they are needed the moment the need arises. It takes time and a lot of physical work to get it done. And slick treacherous roads don’t speed things up either.

In essence, it is sheer recklessness to think that a flooded road with a swift current over it is safe to traverse through even though there isn’t any kind of warning about it.

After four years, a local news station then tracked down James Ivy to ask him why he still had not paid the fine. After refusing any comment, his wife eventually set up a payment arrangement with the fire department. The news station also tracked down other people who similarly refused to pay their fines.

Below is a comment from a former firefighter I am acquainted with:

Point is, these people have no respect for life. "I did something stupid and it's your job to save me".... Most rational people would be forever grateful....

Here is an interesting comment from a female perspective:

Sheesh! I know that if I were in that situation and someone saved me. Not only would that be the first 400 out of my pocket... but I would be taking them cookies, sending them cards every year... I can’t believe people!

Here is a comment from someone in the medical profession:

It is sad. Happens in medicine too. We save a lot of lives and never get paid.

Overall, if someone saved my life especially in an emergency situation, I would definitely be forever grateful. And I also think that I would probably be inclined to send out cards every year, especially knowing that I would not be here for the bravery and courage of someone who rescued me.

I am glad that the local news station ran a special report on this couple as well as similar individuals. It highlighted the deplorable ingratitude and brazenness of self-absorbed people who only think of themselves. However, I think a cities should take a firmer approach to find the one’s who have such outstanding fines. That will help increase the deterrence, which may end up saving more lives in the future.

Any opinions or views expressed herein belong solely to the author and does not represent any employer, organization, political party, governmental agency, or any other entity and do not necessarily reflect the views of the site owner or its participants.