UNIT 10 RESPECT AND RESPONSIBILTY RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES

Emergencies: collisions If you witness a collision… If it is a minor collision, or there are no injuries:  You should stop if it is safe to do so  Offer assistance to move vehicles or call police  Provide your details as a witness for police or insurance claims If it is a serious collision and/or there are injuries:  You are required to stop if it is safe to do so  Call emergency services  Provide assistance and first aid to the limit of your skills and abilities  Wait with the injured until help arrives  Provide any information requested by the police Slide 10.1

Emergencies: collisions If you are involved in a collision…  Make sure you and others are safe  Move vehicles off of the roadway if necessary and if it is safe to do so  Contact the police if damage exceeds $1000 or there are injuries  Contact emergency services if necessary  Provide first aid to any injured as best you can  Exchange contact and insurance information with other parties  Provide information requested by police  Do not admit fault at the scene of a collision Slide 10.2

Police Police may stop you for:  Your safety, or to inform you of a situation  A malfunctioning or poorly maintained vehicle  A traffic violation or suspected involvement in an incident  Driving while intoxicated If stopped, you should:  Pull off the roadway at the first safe opportunity  Remain in your vehicle with both hands on the steering wheel  Answer all questions politely and provide all requested documents and information  Follow all instructions calmly Slide 10.3

Emergency Vehicles If an emergency vehicle is approaching:  Slow down, move as far to the right of the road as you safely can, and stop. Do not stop in an intersection or on the shoulder of a freeway.  Do not follow within 150m of an emergency vehicle.  Never try to outrun an emergency vehicle. If you are approaching a stopped emergency vehicle:  You must slow down and pass with caution. If the road has two or more lanes, you must move over into another lane to allow one lane clearance between your vehicle and the emergency vehicle, if it can be done safely. Failing to follow these rules can result in a conviction and a fine and demerit points on your driving record. Slide 10.4

Vehicle Malfunction Some vehicle malfunctions and responses: STAY CALM  Brake failure: Try pumping the brake pedal. If this doesn’t work, apply the parking brake gently but firmly while holding the release button. Total brake failure is very rare on modern vehicles. If your brakes do fail and you manage to stop, do not drive away. Call for help.  Sticking gas pedal: Try to lift the pedal by slipping your foot under it. Do not reach down with your hands while the vehicle is moving. If this does not work, turn on your hazard lights, shift to neutral and stop as soon as you safely can, preferably off the road. Turn off the ignition and do not drive away. Call for help. Slide 10.5

Vehicle Malfunction Some vehicle malfunctions and responses:  Failed headlights: check the switch immediately. If the lights stay out, turn on your hazard lights and bring your vehicle to a safe stop, off the road. Call for help. It is dangerous and illegal to drive at night without lights.  Tire blowouts: Blowouts cause steering and wheel vibration, but seldom cause a severe loss of control. Take your foot off the gas pedal to slow down and steer the vehicle firmly in the direction you want to go. Bring the vehicle to a stop off the road. Proper maintenance and regular checks prevent most vehicle malfunctions! Slide 10.6

Leaving Traffic in an Emergency At the first sign of trouble, begin to pull over.  If you are on a freeway, do not wait for your vehicle to stall on the freeway. Never stop in the driving lanes.  Be careful getting out of your vehicle. If possible, leave through the door away from traffic.  If you need help, get back in the vehicle and put a “Call Police” sign in the side or back window or tie a white cloth around the antenna.  While you wait for help, stay in your vehicle with the doors locked. If someone stops to help, ask them to call the police or automobile club for you. If you have a cellular phone, call for help yourself. Slide 10.7