What to do after a car accident

What must you do straight after an accident?

Stop your vehicle immediately. Then you must:

• ascertain (find out) the nature and extent of any injuries
• give an injured person the assistance (help) you are capable of giving
• ascertain the nature and extent of any damage sustained (suffered)

What details must you give after an accident?

You must give three details if a person with reasonable grounds (a good reason) asks for them:

• your name and address
• the name and address of the owner of the vehicle you were driving
• the registration number of the vehicle

When must you report an accident to the police?

Within 24 hours, at a police station.

You must do this if you have not already given your details to a traffic officer at the scene. Those details are your name and address, the owner's name and address, and the registration number.

At the police station you must also give any additional information required of you.

May you drink alcohol after an accident?

Not before you have reported it. You may not take any intoxicating liquor (alcohol) or narcotic drugs before you have reported the accident.

The only exception is on the instructions of a medical practitioner (doctor).

When may you move a vehicle after an accident?

Not freely, if a person has been killed or injured. When such an accident causes a complete obstruction (fully blocks the roadway), no vehicle may be moved from where it came to rest. There are two exceptions:

• the person moving the vehicle has clearly marked its position on the road surface
• a traffic officer has authorised (allowed) the removal

The marks show afterwards where the vehicle came to rest.

Also, the driver or owner of a vehicle damaged in an accident must give permission before it can be removed from the scene.

Numbers to remember

• 24 hours: the time to report the accident to a police station, if you gave no details to a traffic officer at the scene

Mistakes learners make

• Driving on after an accident. You must stop immediately.
• Giving only your own details. The owner's name and address and the registration number are also required.
• Thinking you must always go to a police station. You need not if you gave your details to a traffic officer at the scene.
• Having a drink before you report the accident. No intoxicating liquor or narcotic drugs, except on a medical practitioner's instructions.

Test yourself

1. Question 1

   Your motor vehicle is involved in an accident on a public road. Nobody appears to be injured. What must you do immediately?

   • A Drive directly to the nearest police station
   • B Stop your vehicle
   • C Continue driving and report the accident later
   Show answer

   Answer: B: Stop your vehicle

   If you are in an accident, you must stop your vehicle immediately (at once).

2. Question 2

   You are involved in an accident with another vehicle that is carrying passengers. Having stopped, what does the law require you to ascertain regarding the persons involved?

   • A Which of them was to blame for the accident
   • B The nature and extent of any injuries
   • C Whether they hold valid driving licences
   Show answer

   Answer: B: The nature and extent of any injuries

   You must find out if anyone is hurt, what the injuries are and how bad they are.

3. Question 3

   A person is injured in an accident in which you are involved. You have no first-aid training. What assistance does the law require you to render to the injured person?

   • A None, as only a medical practitioner may assist
   • B Full medical treatment until an ambulance arrives
   • C Such assistance as you are capable of rendering
   Show answer

   Answer: C: Such assistance as you are capable of rendering

   You must give an injured person the help that you are able to give.

4. Question 4

   Which ONE of the following is a driver involved in an accident NOT required to ascertain?

   • A The nature and extent of any injuries
   • B The name of the other driver's insurance company
   • C The nature and extent of any damage sustained
   Show answer

   Answer: B: The name of the other driver's insurance company

   You must find out about any injuries and any damage, but not about the other driver's insurance company.

5. Question 5

   By whom may a driver involved in an accident be required to give his or her name and address?

   • A A traffic officer only
   • B The driver of the other vehicle only
   • C Any person having reasonable grounds to request it
   Show answer

   Answer: C: Any person having reasonable grounds to request it

   You must give your name and address to any person who has a good reason to ask.

6. Question 6

   Within what period must a driver report an accident if the required particulars were not furnished to a traffic officer at the scene?

   • A 24 hours
   • B 48 hours
   • C 7 days
   Show answer

   Answer: A: 24 hours

   You must report the accident within 24 hours if you did not give your details to a traffic officer.