In the aim to prevent accidents upon our roads, it is both pedestrians and vehicles users that need to work together. This first became established back in the early 1800’s when the courts ruled that both parties owed one another a duty of care whilst on the roads.
Since the 1800’s there have been major advancements in vehicle technology. Very few people still travel around in carts pulled by horses. However the same principle still applies. If anything it requires that we take extra care on the roads of today, due to the amount of traffic congestion on them.
Accidents occur on our roads every day, in fact thousands take place every year. If you witness or become involved in a road traffic accident you may not know what to do next. When a traffic accidents takes place it is important that the situation is assessed accurately and that emergency services are called to the scene.
If you pull over at a road accident, or are the first on the scene, according to the Road Traffic Accidents website it is important that you:
- Assess the likely number of causalities
- Call the emergency services
- Check for risk of fire, chemical spillage or risk from ruptured fuel tanks
- Check to see if the road is safe. Is oncoming traffic a further threat?
- Don’t be afraid to organise people
It also states that you should try to make other road users aware of the accident, to prevent further casualties. A way to do this would be to park your car in front of the accident, and put your hazard lights on. This will alert other drivers, making them aware that something is wrong. If you can, it is important to get people out of the road and to safety. Try to assist anyone who isn’t trapped, or unable to move away from the road.
The guidelines also insist that you don’t put your own safety at risk. When the emergency services get there they will take over the situation.
