In the first minutes after a crash, what the people on the spot do decides a great deal. The law lists the steps for a driver involved in a crash (Art. 37.IV), and first aid for the injured is a separate topic of the theory test.
Road traffic accidentDefinition
An event during the movement of vehicles on a road, street, square or level crossing that causes death or injury, hits an animal or an obstacle, damages vehicles, roads or structures, or causes other material damage (Art. 1, item 43).
Secure the scene
- Do not move the vehicle, and do not move objects connected with the crash (Art. 37.IV.1).
- Switch on the hazard warning lights and set up the warning triangle, or a red flashing lamp (Art. 37.IV.1).
- The triangle goes behind, in the same lane, at least 30 m from the vehicle (Art. 55.III).
Call for help and inform the police
- Do what you can to give first aid to the injured and call an ambulance (Art. 37.IV.2).
- If an injury is life-threatening, send the casualty to the nearest medical facility with a passing vehicle or, if that is impossible, take them in your own; there show your ID, give your name and the car’s registration number, then return to the scene (Art. 37.IV.2).
- Report the crash to the police, write down the names and addresses of witnesses, and wait for the police (Art. 37.IV.4).
- If other vehicles cannot get past, clear the carriageway, but first record, in front of witnesses, the positions of the vehicles, the marks and the objects (Art. 37.IV.3).
| Number | Service |
|---|---|
| 103 | Emergency medical aid (ambulance) |
| 102 | Police (Ministry of Internal Affairs) |
| 112 | Hotline of the Ministry of Emergency Situations |
First aid step by step
The steps below follow the European Resuscitation Council Guidelines 2021 (Basic Life Support and First Aid). This lesson does not replace a hands-on first-aid course.
Safety
First make sure that you, the casualty and bystanders are safe: hazard lights, the triangle, keeping away from moving traffic.
Response and breathing
Speak to the casualty and gently shake the shoulders. If there is no response, look at the breathing. Unresponsive with absent or abnormal breathing means cardiac arrest.
Call 103
Call an ambulance at once. If you are alone, put the phone on speaker and follow the dispatcher’s instructions.
CPR: 30:2
Put your hands in the centre of the chest (the lower half of the breastbone). Press 5–6 cm deep, 100–120 times a minute, letting the chest come fully back up after each push. 30 compressions + 2 breaths; if you cannot give breaths, keep compressing without pause. If a defibrillator (AED) arrives, follow its prompts.
Unresponsive but breathing normally
Do not leave them, and keep checking the breathing. The recovery position is recommended for someone unconscious because of an illness; a person injured in a crash should not be moved without need. If the breathing stops or becomes abnormal, start CPR.
Severe bleeding
Press directly and firmly on the wound with a dressing from the first-aid kit. Once the bleeding is controlled, a pressure bandage can hold it.
Possible neck injury
If the casualty is awake, ask them to keep the head and neck still. Move an injured person only if there is a direct danger to life, such as fire.
A minor bump
Problem
Pulling out of a parking space in a narrow street, Aysel touches another car’s bumper. Nobody is hurt and both drivers agree that Aysel is at fault. Must they wait for the police?
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Solution
If the parties do not dispute who is at fault and nobody’s health is harmed, the driver may leave the scene (Art. 37.IV.5; CAO 327, Note 7-1).
If a dispute arises or someone is hurt, Art. 37.IV.1–4 apply in full: do not move the car, inform the police and wait.
An unresponsive motorcyclist
Problem
On a road out of town a car has hit a motorcyclist. He lies on the road, does not respond and is not breathing. You are the first driver on the scene. What do you do?
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Solution
2) Call 103 and put the phone on speaker.
3) He is unresponsive and not breathing — start CPR at once: centre of the chest, 5–6 cm, 100–120 a minute, 30:2.
4) Keep going until the ambulance arrives or an AED is brought.
Bleeding from the arm
Problem
After a collision a passenger is bleeding heavily from the arm and is awake. What should you do?
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Solution
Press it directly and firmly on the wound and call 103.
Once the bleeding is controlled, apply a pressure bandage and stay with the casualty.
Remember
- After a crash: do not move the car, hazard lights on, triangle at least 30 m behind, do not move objects (Art. 37.IV.1, 55.III).
- Ambulance 103, police 102; reporting to the police, noting witnesses and waiting is a duty (Art. 37.IV.4).
- You may leave the scene only to help a casualty, or when there is no dispute and nobody is hurt.
- Unresponsive and not breathing normally — call 103 and start CPR at once: 5–6 cm, 100–120 a minute, 30:2.
- Severe bleeding: press directly on the wound; move a casualty only if their life is in danger.