Obey the rules and prevent traffic accidents

“Many road users, some police officers and the public are not aware of the guidelines that they should follow when a traffic accident occurs People should be aware of these. Follow the laws relating to traffic accidents “Motor Traffic Act” Section - 161, said President of Ceylon Society for the Prevention of Accidents and retired DIG T. Perinpanayagam. Where in any accident due to the use of any motor vehicle on a highway any injury is caused to any person, animal or property, the following provisions shall have effect:-

(a) The driver of the Motor Vehicle shall

(i) Immediately stop the vehicle;

(ii) Furnish his name and address, the name and address of the owner of the vehicle, the distinctive number of the vehicle and other particulars relating thereto, If requested to do so by any person to whom, or by the owner or person in charge of the property or the animal to which, the injury has been caused or by any police officer or Grama Niladhari.

(iii) In any case where the person to whom injury has been caused so requests, or if he is unconscious of if the injury caused to that person appears to endanger life., take that person immediately to a hospital or to a medical practitioner, and thereafter report the accident forthwith to the officer in charge of the nearest police station and (iv) In every case not referred to in paragraph (ii) report the accident forthwith to the officer in charge of the nearest police station.

Punishment - (recommended) A driver who fails to report such accident to the officer in charge of the nearest police station shall on conviction be liable to a fine not less than two thousand five hundred rupees (Rs. 2500=) and not exceeding three thousand five hundred rupees (Rs.3500=).

In case of a traffic accident - At the scene of the accident you are obliged to perform certain duties.

Stop, make the scene safe - warn approaching traffic - assist injured send for help, notify the police - gather information.

1. If you are involved or see an accident happen - the first thing to do is (a) Stop (b) Use Hazard Lights as warning signals to protect scene.

2. Wait at the scene, but try not to block Traffic.

3. Try to stay calm and ask assistance to help injured persons or render first and only if you are qualified and if the need arises.

4. Notify the police.

5. Call ambulance, if the need arises.

6. Warn oncoming Traffic.

7. If it is a trivial accident and the parties involved settle amicably, remove the vehicles from the scene permitting the traffic to flow, report the accident at the nearest police station forthwith.

8. If the parties involved fail to settle the accident with mutual agreement, may mark the tyre positions and the place of the impact by the opposite parties, and move the vehicle from the scene to the sides of the road to ensure a free flow of traffic and report accident at the nearest police station forthwith.

9. Where there is serious injury resulting from an accident do not move the vehicle or move the vehicle with the authority of a police officer.

10. If the injury caused appears to endanger life take that person to a hospital for immediate treatment even by using the vehicle involved in the accident if there are no other vehicles available and thereafter report the accident forthwith to the nearest police station.

11. If someone has been killed, do not move the body or permit anyone to move the body until the arrival of the police or ambulance.

12. If you are not trained in first aid

a) Send for help, b) Help the injured, keep them warm, c) To stop bleeding put any clean cloth over the wound, d) Give mouth to mouth artificial respiration, if a person has stopped breathing. Do not give fluid, e) Move the injured if there is danger from traffic or fire as improper movement could be harmful with serious injuries.

13. If the accident involves a vehicle carrying dangerous goods (gas cylinders, petroleum products, chemicals) keep the public away.

Do not allow any one to smoke within 100 metres, Secure the area and inform the authorities (Police, ambulance, fire brigade).

14. Avoid moving the vehicle unless it is necessary to move a trapped person or to prevent fire.

15. Gather information:-

a) Date, time and location of accident, b) Name of other driver, c) Address of other drivers, d) Number of the other vehicles, e) Driving licence number, Name and address of other driver’s Insurance Company, Name and address of injured person or persons, Name and address of witness (es), f). Make a diagram or sketch of the scene of accident.

16 Circumstance of accident, weather condition of the road -other conditions.

17. Name and address of the investigating officer.

18. Answer all investigating officers questions. Do not discuss the accident with anyone else.

19. Do not discuss who is at fault or details of the insurance coverage.

Notify your Insurance Company immediately.

20. Important:- Due to anger do not damage or burn the vehicles involved in fatal accidents, since it would prevent/obstruct.

1. The investigating police officer from making any observation of the damages parts blood stains etc.

2. Examiner of motor vehicles from examining and testing the vehicle.

3. Government analyst from scientific examination and 4. Payment of compensation to the accident victims by the insurance companies.

Keep these instructions with you or in your vehicles compartment.