1. Case Overview
While driving on the highway, a driver noticed a stray cat near the center divider. Believing the animal was in danger, the driver made an abrupt stop in the fast lane, resulting in a chain-reaction rear-end collision.
2. Detailed Facts
Driver A was traveling at approximately 100 km/h when spotting the cat.
Instead of pulling over to the shoulder, A stopped abruptly in the leftmost lane, exited the vehicle without activating hazard lights, and approached the animal.
Driver B narrowly avoided A's car, but Drivers C and D collided due to insufficient reaction time.
Four vehicles were damaged; two individuals sustained minor injuries.
Weather and road conditions were clear and dry at the time.
Driver A told police: “I just couldn’t leave it there.”
3. Legal Issues
Stopping and exiting a vehicle on a highway is inherently dangerous.
Although animal protection is morally commendable, personal safety and traffic safety take precedence.
Driver A did not meet the threshold for emergency justification and failed to perform required actions such as pulling over, activating hazard lights, or placing warning signs.
4. Judgment and Conclusion
"Driver A was found to be primarily responsible (70%) for initiating a foreseeable and avoidable hazard by stopping inappropriately on a high-speed lane without taking proper safety measures."
"Driver B was not held liable as they successfully avoided the collision and maintained a proper lookout."
"Drivers C and D were each held 15% liable due to insufficient following distance and failure to react in time despite the unusual nature of the lead vehicle's stop."
The court emphasized that highways are not appropriate environments for animal rescue, and such attempts may endanger not just the rescuer, but others as well.