What to Do at the Scene of an Accident

1. Stay Calm and Think Clearly

Your first response will set the tone for everything that follows. Take a deep breath. Panic helps no one.

Turn on your hazard lights immediately. This alerts other drivers to slow down. If it’s safe, place warning triangles or cones up to 100 metres away from the crash.

Pull your vehicle ahead of the crash site, not behind it, so that you don’t block access for emergency vehicles. They need clear routes to save lives.

2. Call for Help Without Delay

Dial 112, this is the global emergency number. It works even without cell signal. State whether you need the police, an ambulance, or the fire brigade.

Always err on the side of caution. If anyone is bleeding, lightheaded, or visibly injured, call immediately. Additionally, contact the police to report the incident and manage traffic flow.

Time is critical in these first moments. Don’t hesitate.

If you have cell phone signal, use MyPanic (press and hold the ‘HELP’ button in the MyPanic app for rapid medical assistance.

3. Give Accurate, Detailed Information

Emergency services need specific details to help effectively. Provide them with:

• Your exact location using route marker boards (route, section, kilometre, direction).
• Number of vehicles involved.
• Number of people in each vehicle.
• Condition of the injured (trapped, unconscious, bleeding, deceased).
• Any immediate hazards (fuel spills, fire, unstable vehicles).

The more precise information you give, the better prepared they’ll be.

4. Safety Around Injured People

This is where many well-meaning people make dangerous mistakes. Do not move injured people unless there’s an imminent life threat, like fire or a falling vehicle.

Instead, reassure casualties and keep them calm. Encourage them to remain still. Don’t give food or drink as they may need surgery later.

Only provide first aid if you’re trained and it’s safe to do so. If someone is bleeding heavily, apply direct pressure to the wounds if possible.

You may feel a moral obligation to help, but you must be mindful not to make things worse.

5. What You Can Do to Help

• Place warning markers far from the scene to prevent further collisions. This protects everyone at the accident site.
• If there’s a petrol spill, cover it with sand.
• Disconnect vehicle batteries if it’s safe to do so (this prevents dangerous sparks).
• Observe carefully: who is unconscious? Who is getting worse? Who might have spinal injuries? Check if anyone was ejected from vehicles.
• Record names, ID numbers, and medical conditions if casualties can provide them.

6. Fire and Explosion Risks

Smoke or steam usually isn’t dangerous.

Vehicles rarely explode.

If flames are present, use sand or a fire extinguisher—never water. Water can spread fuel fires and exacerbate them.

7. Document Everything

Take photographs of vehicles, road conditions, signs, and positions. This evidence is crucial for insurance and legal purposes for those involved.

Don’t move vehicles unless they create an immediate hazard. If you must move them, mark their original positions first.

Write down details: time, location, names, witness contacts. Your memory might fail you later when adrenaline wears off.

8. Essential Items to Keep in Your Car

Smart motorists keep essential emergency items in their vehicles. Think of this as your emergency response kit. You hope you’ll never need it, but you’ll be grateful if you do.

Critical items include:

• Insurance card, vehicle registration, and medical alert details.
• Gloves, torch, reflective vest or belt.
• Small fire extinguisher.
• First aid kit, road flares or triangles.
• Power bank, flashlight, basic tools, duct tape.
• Paper and pen.