EMERGENCY services and businesses have warned that careless parking could put lives at risk.
Areas like Arranmore, Burtonport, Clonmany, and Downings have all issued warnings in recent days.
Residents and gardai have been most vocal in appealing to drivers not to block access routes to the beach in Downings.
Campaigners have regularly posted photos on Facebook page Downings Donegal of cars that are parking in yellow boxes in the seaside town.
The yellow box is to be kept clear for when the Coast Guard needs to launch to save someone’s life.
A recent post stated: “Move your car. You are endangering lives.”
Dozens of people expressed outrage, with one saying: “Anyone that does something like that needs the car impounded, fined, billed for all expenses and penalty points on their license.”
Another person urged: “Find a tractor man and tow it away. Plus put a note up on their windscreen and ask for €500 towards Mulroy Coast Guard. “
Mulroy coastguard unit.
A spokesperson for Mulroy Coast Guard said: “Every second counts. Help us to help others, keep the yellow box clear.
“If you can keep the box clear, we might not be too late. The difference between life and death can be seconds, please be mindful where you park.
“Think before you park. Ask yourself, ‘Have I parked responsibly?’ Are you potentially blocking access for emergency vehicles?
“Yellow boxes are there for a reason, please be mindful. Our only mission is to save lives.”
Some people want strict penalties, with one man urging the Coast Guard: “Photograph the vehicle registrations, pass on to the gardai, and prosecute each and every one of them.
“No different than any other emergency service. It’s people’s lives they’re dealing with here.”
Motorists have been reminded about yellow box safety.
Donegal County Council and gardai prohibited direct car access and parking on Downings Beach in July and over the August Bank Holiday weekend due to severe congestion and public safety risks.
A Downings campaigner against dangerous parking told the Donegal News: “I really believe a tow and heavy release fee is the only way to go at this point.
“Clamping would just mean the car is stuck blocking the slipway.
“Given the amount of rescues around Donegal, it is just luck these cars have not caused a delay to a rescue.
“There is just an increasing lack of regard for safety between jetskis and blocking the Coast Guard access.
“What is shocking is the pushback from visitors. One said, ‘You stopped cars on the beach, so we have to park somewhere’.
“One driver had a go at a local lifeguard who asked him to move. The driver said he would move his car if he saw the Coast Guard and told the lifeguard that because they weren’t with a Coast Guard, it was none of their business.”
The Coast Guard advises the public that if they see someone in difficulty on the coast or in the water, call 112 or 999 and ask for the Coast Guard.