You're the first person to arrive at an incident where people are badly injured. You’ve switched on your hazard warning lights and checked all engines are stopped. What else should you do?
- A Make sure that an ambulance has been called
- B Stop other cars and ask the drivers for help
- C Try and get people who are injured to drink something
- D Move the people who are injured clear of their vehicles
Why this is the answer
If you’re the first to arrive at a crash scene, the first concerns are the risk of further collision and fire. Making sure that vehicle engines are switched off will reduce the risk of fire. Use hazard warning lights so that other traffic knows there’s a need for caution. Make sure the emergency services are contacted; do not assume it's already been done.
Why the other answers don't fit
- B
- Stop other cars and ask the drivers for help — Stopping traffic yourself only adds to the danger.
- C
- Try and get people who are injured to drink something — Nothing by mouth for anybody who may need surgery.
- D
- Move the people who are injured clear of their vehicles — Move them only if there is further danger. Otherwise you risk worsening hidden injuries.
Where this comes from
- Driving: the essential skills — section 16
- The Highway Code — page 152–153
Rule numbers link to The Highway Code on gov.uk.
Where this question comes from
The question, its options and the explanation are reproduced word for word from the DVSA revision question bank under licence. The licence requires them to appear unaltered, so we cannot reword them and neither can anyone else — that is why you will meet the same wording on other sites. Everything else on this page is written by Theory Hub: the explanation of why each wrong answer is wrong, the topic guide and the revision notes.
Asked in: Car , Motorcycle
More questions on Incidents, accidents and emergencies
- A casualty is not breathing normally and needs cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). At what rate should you press down and release on the centre of their chest?
- A collision has just happened. An injured person is lying in a busy road. What’s the first thing you should do?
- After a collision, someone is unconscious in their vehicle. When should you call the emergency services?
- An adult casualty is not breathing. To maintain circulation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should be given. What's the correct depth to press down on their chest?
- An injured motorcyclist is lying unconscious in the road. The traffic has stopped and there's no further danger. What could you do to help?
- An injured person has been placed in the recovery position. They're unconscious but breathing normally. What else should be done?
- At an incident, a casualty is not breathing. What should you do while helping them to start breathing again?
- At an incident, a casualty is unconscious but breathing. When should you move them?