Drivers all over Austin are putting the lives of others at risk by blocking the entrances and exits to EMS and fire stations.

Firefighters at the South First Street fire station find themselves waiting for traffic to move because drivers usually block the exit for up to two minutes waiting for the light to turn green, even though there's a sign that reads "Emergency exit – Do not block driveway."

Frank Urias, division commander of Austin/Travis County EMS, said the same holds true at the EMS Station on South First.

"There's literally no place for them to move even if they wanted to. It can delay our response by several seconds or sometimes as much as a few minutes," Urias said.

It is not against the law to block the entrance and exits to EMS and fire stations. The signs are there to advise the public.

Patricia Cuenca drives on South First daily. During her morning and afternoon commute she's noticed drivers ignoring signs asking them not to block the entrance and exits to the fire and EMS stations.

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	Creating a hazard Drivers are ignoring signs and blocking the driveways to EMS and fire stations.

"I'd hate to be the one in the intersection holding up first responders but it seems to be on a daily basis that that's the case. The driveway out is blocked," Cuenca said.

The signs asking drivers not to block the entrance and exits to EMS and fire stations are advisory. There is no penalty for ignoring them, according to Urias.

On Monday, Dec. 3, News 8 watched during rush hour and noticed drivers left little room in front of the South First station. Light after light drivers blocked the exit. At one point during rush hour the EMS station exit on South First was blocked by traffic for 45 seconds. Urias said the problem will only get worse.

"With the growth of Austin and the use of secondary streets more by drivers it's just a problem that's going to increase," Urias said.

EMS and AFD officials say the problem is citywide. Emergency hubs located at busy intersections like the one at Koenig and Lamar in North Austin also have to deal with blocked exits.

"It's rush hour, you're tired and you're rushed and you just don't notice it, but it certainly makes a noticeable difference to us," Urias said.

It also makes a huge difference to those who are waiting for them to arrive, Urias said, possibly even the difference between life or death.