What to do if you arrive at the scene of an accident

Do's: Do remain calm.; Do switch off the engine and apply the handbrake.; Do use a reflective advance-warning triangle if available; Do switch on hazard warning lights and parking lights.; Do make sure you are safe as you try to help others.; Do make sure others are safe, however you should keep any injured people warm, by placing coats or rugs around them.; Do organise bystanders to warn oncoming traffic from both directions, if this has not already been done. Be particularly careful at night so that people giving help are visible (by wearing reflective armbands or bright clothes or carrying lit torches).; Do call for help. Contact the emergency services on 999 or 112.

Don'ts: Don't panic - assess the situation before taking action.; Don't stay at the scene if there are enough people helping and keeping it under control.; Don't get injured yourself - park your vehicle safely out of the way; Don't move an injured person unless there is a risk of fire or of the vehicle turning over.; Don't attempt to lift a car off an injured person without help.; Don't remove helmets from injured motorcyclists. Neck injuries are common in motorcycle collisions, and any attempt by inexperienced people to remove the helmet may leave the injured person paralysed from the neck down.; Don't allow anyone to smoke at, or close, to the scene; Don't give an injured person anything to eat or drink.