Accident & Emergency Procedures

What is the first action if involved in an accident?

• ACheck whether the police are already on the scene
• BSwitch off the engine and assess for injuries✓
• CDrive away from the scene and report it later on
• DTelephone the transport office first, whatever the situation

Answer: First, switch off the engine to prevent fire, then assess injuries and request emergency services if needed.

What should a driver do if the accident scene is unsafe?

• AMove to a safe location away from traffic (if not injured)✓
• BLeave the area completely and carry on with the delivery run
• CStand in the carriageway and direct other traffic around it
• DStay at the scene whatever the danger

Answer: If the scene is dangerous, move yourself to a place of relative safety away from moving traffic, such as behind a safety barrier. Do not stay in the path of traffic.

When must a driver remain at an accident scene?

• AOnly if police are present
• BAlways, unless injured✓
• CDrivers must stay until released by police
• DOnly if there are injuries

Answer: Drivers must remain at the scene unless continuing would cause them injury. Leaving without providing details is a legal offence.

What information must be exchanged at an accident scene?

• ANames and addresses of the drivers and vehicle owners, and the registration numbers✓
• BEach driver's date of birth, employer, and number of penalty points
• CThe drivers' tachograph card numbers and their daily driving hours
• DThe exchange can wait, since the insurers will contact each other later

Answer: Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 s170 a driver involved in an accident must stop and give their name and address, the vehicle owner's name and address and the vehicle registration to anyone with reasonable grounds to ask; if anyone is injured, insurance details must also be produced. Exchanging phone numbers and insurance details is good practice. If details cannot be exchanged at the scene, report to the police as soon as reasonably practicable and within 24 hours.

What is the purpose of warning triangles at an accident scene?

• ATo make the scene look official to passing motorists
• BTo record the accident
• CTo mark the accident location
• DTo warn approaching traffic of the hazard ahead✓

Answer: Warning triangles (or lights) alert approaching drivers to the accident ahead, giving them time to slow and avoid a secondary accident.

What should a driver do if their vehicle breaks down on a motorway?

• AWait inside the vehicle with the hazard warning lights switched on until assistance arrives
• BPlace a warning triangle 45 metres behind the vehicle and stand next to it
• CNever use a warning triangle — switch on hazard lights, get behind the safety barrier if possible, and use the roadside emergency phone✓
• DPlace a warning triangle 150 metres behind the vehicle

Answer: Highway Code rule 276 says never to use warning triangles on motorways. Rule 277 instead says to switch on hazard lights, get behind the safety barrier where there is one, and call for help, which keeps the driver off the live carriageway. On other roads, rule 276 says to place a warning triangle at least 45 metres behind the vehicle.

What should a driver do if a vehicle is on fire?

• ADrive it to a fire station
• BEvacuate immediately and stay away; only use fire extinguisher for small fires✓
• CIgnore it and call insurance
• DAttempt to put the fire out using water from a bottle or from any nearby supply

Answer: Evacuate immediately. Small fires can be tackled with a fire extinguisher if safe to do so. Don't endanger yourself.

What type of fire extinguisher should be used on fuel fires?

• AA wet chemical extinguisher
• BPowder or CO2 extinguishers✓
• CA water-based extinguisher from the cab
• DWater only

Answer: Water makes fuel fires worse. Use powder (ABC) or CO2 extinguishers. Never use water on flammable liquid fires.

What is the procedure if injured at an accident scene?

• AContinue driving to hospital
• BWalk around to stay alert
• CSit down and rest
• DDon't move; await emergency services✓

Answer: Don't move if injured. Remaining still minimises further injury. Emergency services will provide appropriate care.

What is the priority at an accident scene?

• AAssess the damage to property and vehicles first
• BTake photographs of the scene straight away
• CSave lives and prevent further accidents✓
• DExchange insurance information with the other driver

Answer: Priority is saving lives, preventing secondary accidents, and providing medical aid. Other details follow afterwards.

What is the recovery position for an unconscious person?

• AKeep them standing
• BLie them flat on their back with a coat folded under the head
• CSit them up
• DPlace on their side with head tilted and airway clear✓

Answer: The recovery position (on their side with head tilted back) keeps the airway clear and prevents choking if they vomit.

What should be done about fuel leaks at an accident scene?

• AIgnore it for now, as long as there is no fire and nobody nearby is smoking
• BLeave it alone, because spilt diesel evaporates within a few minutes
• CAlert emergency services, isolate the area, and don't create sparks✓
• DAttempt to clean up the spillage yourself

Answer: Fuel leaks are fire hazards. Alert emergency services, keep people and vehicles away, and eliminate ignition sources.

How should a driver document an accident scene?

• ARely on the police report to record the scene
• BWrite a report later from memory
• CTake photos of damage, scene, positions, and weather; get witnesses✓
• DDon't document; let others handle it

Answer: Document the scene with photos of vehicle damage, positions, road conditions, and weather. Collect witness details. This supports insurance claims.

What is the legal requirement to report an accident?

• ATo the police immediately, whatever the circumstances
• BTo police if there's injury or significant damage✓
• CTo the transport company only, who will notify the police
• DTo the insurance company only, who deal with everything else

Answer: Accidents must be reported to police if there's injury, property damage, or if required by law. Always check with your company.

What should NOT be done at an accident scene?

• AProvide first aid if trained
• BAdmit fault or make statements about blame✓
• CCall for emergency services
• DTake photos of the scene

Answer: Never admit fault or blame at the scene. Stick to facts. Admissions could have legal consequences.

What is basic CPR and when is it used?

• AIt is against the law for an untrained person to attempt it on an injured casualty
• BIt is never necessary at a road accident scene, as paramedics always arrive quickly
• CChest compressions and rescue breathing for an unconscious non-breathing person✓
• DA recovery technique that is used only on a casualty who is still breathing normally

Answer: CPR is chest compressions with rescue breaths for an unresponsive casualty who is not breathing normally. The Highway Code says that if there are no signs of breathing, start CPR; you do not need training to begin, and prompt action saves lives.

How should severe bleeding be managed?

• AApply a bandage loosely
• BApply firm direct pressure over the wound with a clean pad✓
• CWait for the emergency services to arrive without doing anything
• DPour water on the wound

Answer: Apply firm, direct pressure over the wound to stem the bleeding, then fasten a pad to it with a bandage, using the cleanest material available. If something is embedded, do not remove it: build up padding on either side and avoid pressing on it (Highway Code Annex 7).

What is the purpose of an accident book or report?

• AIt is unnecessary whenever the police have attended the scene
• BTo assign blame for the incident
• COnly for the insurance company so that it can process a claim
• DTo record details for legal protection and investigation✓

Answer: Accident reports document facts for legal protection, insurance claims, and investigation. They're essential records.

Should a driver move vehicles after an accident?

• AMove them only if they are blocking other traffic, whatever the injuries
• BNever move them
• CYes, clear the road immediately
• DOnly if safe and if no injuries; otherwise wait for emergency services✓

Answer: Move vehicles only if safe to do so and there are no injuries. On motorways, move to hard shoulder if possible. Otherwise, wait for emergency services.

What information should be recorded about witnesses?

• AOnly a telephone number, so that they can be contacted again later on
• BJust their first and last names, which the police will use to trace them
• CName, address, contact number, and vehicle details if applicable✓
• DTheir details can be left out, since investigators disregard witness accounts

Answer: Record witness names, addresses, phone numbers, and vehicle details if they were drivers. This is crucial for accident investigation.

What should happen with hazardous cargo in an accident?

• ATry to salvage as much of the cargo as possible before help arrives
• BMove the containers away from the scene to a safer spot yourself
• CLeave it and continue the journey
• DAlert emergency services immediately with cargo documentation✓

Answer: Hazardous cargo requires immediate alert to emergency services with full documentation. They have protocols for handling dangerous materials.

What is the role of the police at an accident scene?

• AInvestigate, document facts, and determine if offences occurred✓
• BHandle insurance claims
• CAlways attend accidents
• DTo decide which of the parties was to blame

Answer: Police investigate accidents, document facts, test for impairment, and determine if legal offences occurred.

When should warning triangles be removed after an accident?

• AOnly by police
• BWhen all vehicles are cleared and scene is safe✓
• CThey stay in place permanently
• DImmediately after the scene has been set up and photographed

Answer: Remove warning triangles only after all vehicles have left and the road is clear and safe. They remain until the hazard is gone.

What is the importance of staying calm at an accident scene?

• AIt is of limited importance, as the emergency services take over
• BIt mainly helps later, when giving a statement to the police
• CReduces errors, prevents panic, and allows clear thinking for aid✓
• DIt keeps the operator's insurance premium from rising

Answer: Staying calm helps you think clearly, provide better assistance, and make safer decisions.

What action should be taken if the accident vehicle has spilled hazardous materials?

• ACreate a large exclusion zone and alert emergency services✓
• BApply absorbent material from the cab spill kit to soak up the spill
• CTry to clean the spill up immediately, before anyone else arrives
• DCarry on and report it later on

Answer: Create a wide exclusion zone immediately and alert emergency services. Only trained personnel should handle hazardous spills.