After a collision: your legal duties at the scene

If you are involved in a crash, the law gives you a clear list of duties. The K53 test asks about them often, especially reporting times and when vehicles may be moved. Here is the full list, in the order you would follow it.

At the scene

Any driver who is involved in, or contributed to, an accident must:

1. Stop immediately. Leaving the scene is an offence.
2. Find out whether anyone is injured, and how badly.
3. Help the injured as far as you are able.
4. Check the damage to vehicles and property.
5. Give your details if asked by anyone with reasonable grounds, such as the other driver, the owner of damaged property or the police: your name and address, the name and address of the vehicle’s owner, and the registration number.

Make the scene safe while you do this. Switch on your hazard lights, warn approaching traffic with triangles or by asking people to stand on each approach, and switch off the ignition of the crashed vehicles if it is safe to do so. Call 10111 for emergency services, or 112 from a cellphone.

Reporting the accident

• If you did not give your details to a traffic officer at the scene, report the accident at a police station within 24 hours.
• If someone was killed or injured, tell the police immediately.
• Do not drink alcohol or take narcotic drugs before you have reported the accident, unless a medical practitioner tells you to.

Moving the vehicles

If someone was killed or injured and the crash completely blocks the road, no vehicle may be moved unless its position has been clearly marked on the road surface, or a traffic officer authorises it. Vehicles may then be moved only far enough to let traffic pass.

If no one was injured, you may move your vehicle out of the way before you report the accident. You always need the permission of the owner or driver before you move someone else’s vehicle.

Helping the injured

Do not move an injured person unless it is absolutely necessary, for example if the vehicle is on fire, or you must move them to give CPR or stop severe bleeding. Moving someone with a spinal injury can make it worse. To slow heavy bleeding, raise the injured part and press firmly on the wound with a folded cloth.

Dangerous goods

If a vehicle in the crash shows a dangerous goods placard, do not attempt a rescue unless you are sure you will not come into contact with the substance. Note the colour and symbol on the placard and give them to emergency services. Keep bystanders well away and upwind.

Test yourself

These questions come from the K53TestsOnline question bank. Choose an answer to see if you are right.

Keep learning

• Road rules: accidents
• Safety: reporting an accident
• Safety: basic first aid
• Safety: accidents involving dangerous goods