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If you’re involved in a road traffic accident, or have witnessed an accident, however minor it may be, you might be feeling scared, worried, or anxious. These feelings can affect your ability to adequately manage the situation, so it’s important to try and keep a level head. Educating yourself regarding the best ways to handle the aftermath of a road traffic accident is the best way to prepare. Here’s what to do if you have an accident or if you drive past a recent accident:
If You Have Been Involved in an Accident
If your car has hit another, or if another car has hit your vehicle, the first thing to do is stop in a safe place (for example, if your side door is scraped on the motorway, don’t stop in the middle of the lane – move to the hard shoulder). You should then assess the situation and take any necessary actions.
- STOP! If there is injury to either party, or damage to either vehicle, you must stop your car. A shocking 30 percent of Brits admit they would flee the scene of an accident if only minor damage occurred, but fleeing is a punishable offence, with fines, penalties, a suspended licence, or even imprisonment for repeated offences
- Put your hazard warning lights on to alert other drivers that your vehicle is stopped, and to encourage them to look out for debris or other dangers on the road
- Assess the situation and call the police and ambulance service if any severe damage or injuries have been sustained, or if a vehicle is blocking the road and cannot be safely moved out of the way
- If the other party asks for your details, including your insurance details, you are required by law to share this information. However, you do NOT have to share directly with the driver, or at the scene of the accident. You may report the accident in person to a police station within 24 hours. The police will ask to see your insurance certificate, and will request your name, the name of the owner of the car if different, your address, and the vehicle registration
- Collect as much evidence from the scene as possible. Note down the time and date, the weather conditions, and take photographs of any damage. If you use a dash cam, ensure you get the footage backed up as soon as you’re able
- If the emergency services have been called, do not leave the scene of the accident until they have arrived
If You Encounter an Accident
It can sometimes be difficult to know what to do if you witness an accident, or happen across a recent accident. Always use your initiative and be sure to keep yourself and your passengers safe.
- Use common sense. If the accident has happened in a dark and remote area, continue to the nearest safe, populated, and lit area before stopping and calling the police
- If you determine that it is safe to stop at the scene, put your hazard warning lights on to alert other drivers to any potential dangers
- If the accident appears to have been severe, or if you are unsure if emergency services have been called, dial 999. If you’re on the motorway and are unsure of your location, use the motorway markers to determine where you are
- Stand back from the accident. Passing traffic and other potential hazards such as fire risk could make the scene dangerous. Wait for emergency services, and NEVER cross over the motorway
- If you have successfully completed a Driver First Assist (DFA) course, you may be able to perform first aid on the injured. DFA provides first aid and emergency response training for drivers, with research showing the 46 percent of road traffic fatalities could be prevented if suitable first aid was quickly available
