Senior superintendent Wilfred Kgasago, spokesman for the EMPD, says nobody wants accidents to happen but handling the aftermath requires calm and wisdom.
In reality, an accident is the responsibility of both parties and to panic can lead to secondary harm in an accident.
Witnesses at an accident should also pay more attention to avoid causing another accident through negligence.
Accidents take people by surprise but if it is handled properly tempers will not flare.
In an accident, the five steps for handling accidents will help to quickly and safely resolve the dangers of the accident scene.
- Place a breakdown warning sign to warn vehicles approaching from the rear so they don’t accidentally end up in an overtaking collision.
- Dial 10177 or mobile emergency ER 24 on 084124, 112, 011458 or 0911 for assistance.
Ask the police to respond to the scene immediately.
- Mark the locations of the vehicles involved in the accident.
This will determine the liability of the parties involved in the crash and help the police with their investigation of the scene.
- Move the vehicles to the side of the road.
Don’t block the traffic as this increases the risk of overtaking collisions.
- Wait calmly for the police in a safe location.
Do not argue with the other party involved in the accident to avoid conflicts and further costs.
These five steps may need adjustment, based on the actual scene.
If there were no injuries or deaths and the vehicles can still move, it may be better to mark the positions of the vehicles and move them to the roadside.
Duties of a driver in the event of an accident according to Section 61 of the National Road Traffic Act 93, 1996 are as follows:
- Ascertain the nature and extent of any injury sustained by any person.
- If a person is injured, render such assistance to the injured person as he or she may be capable of rendering.
- Determine the nature and extent of any damage sustained.
- If required to do so give his or her name and address, the name and address of the owner of the vehicle driven by him or her and, in the case of a motor vehicle, the licence number thereof.
- If they have not already reported the accident to a police or traffic officer and unless they are incapable of doing so by reason of injuries sustained, report the accident within 24 hours to any police officer at a police station.
- No-one should remove any vehicle involved in an accident in which another person is killed or injured from the position in which it came to rest, until it has been authorised by a traffic officer,
- No vehicle involved in an accident should be removed from the scene of such accident without the permission of the owner or driver.
Kgasago says motorists should keep their distance between vehicles and be vigilant while driving.
“Stay calm and don’t panic to stay safe in an accident,” he adds.
