According to the AA, approximately 900,000 vehicle collisions occur annually in South Africa. The horrific crash on the N12 which saw two people die and over 50 injured once again highlighted the importance of road safety and knowing what to do in those situations. If you find yourself in a collision, there are certain procedures you should follow to ensure your safety and the safety of your passengers, such as:
- Immediately stopping to assess the extent of damage and possible injury to passengers
- Reporting the incident to the police within 24 hours and obtaining a reference number
- Contact your insurance company if applicable
- Taking down as many details as possible, including: Names, identity numbers, addresses, contact details, registration numbers, vehicle and accident descriptions, towtruck details
Do not, under any circumstances do the following, as it may compromise the accident scene:
- Do not interfere with evidence
- Do not take any narcotics or alcohol after the accident
- Do not admit liability
- Do not sign any documents presented to you
Perhaps the most important tip of all is to try and stay as calm as possible amongst the commotion. Take a deep breath, collect your thoughts, and follow the tips above to ensure that you remain as safe as possible at the accident scene.
Read more:
BREAKING NEWS: Massive accident on N12
Bodies scattered on N12 after truck crash
VIDEOS: Eyewitness footage of N12 truck crash
N12 accident – Wrong information across the board
