UNIT 7 VEHICLE HANDLING AVOIDING COLLISIONS

Collisions What is a collision? Many drivers and passengers have experienced collisions. Collisions are not uncommon, and most are minor. Slide 7.1

Collision Causes Collisions involving only one car:  Leaving the road  Obstructions in the road (e.g. rocks, fallen trees)  Animals in the road  Others? Collisions involving more than one car:  Rear-end  Head-on  Side-on  Skidding and sliding Slide 7.2

Collision Prevention How can you prevent collisions?  Look ahead and around  Control your speed  Maintain safe distances  Adjust your driving for different conditions  Maintain your vehicle Slide 7.3

Collision Prevention How can you avoid a collision once a collision is anticipated? Take ‘evasive action’:  Braking sharply  Swerving  Accelerating sharply Do NOT take evasive action when:  You cannot see or do not have a clear path in which to move  Road conditions make sudden braking or accelerating dangerous Slide 7.4

Collisions What should you do immediately after a collision? If no one is injured:  If the vehicles are drivable, move them as far off the road as possible, or set up warning signals or flares to warn other traffic to slow down or stop.  Call police. By law, you must report any collision when there are injuries or damage to vehicles or property likely to exceed $1,000.  Give police or anyone whose vehicle has been damaged your name and address, the name and address of the registered owner of the vehicle, the vehicle plate and permit number and the liability insurance card.  Get the names, addresses and phone numbers of all witnesses.  Contact your insurance company as soon as possible if you intend to make a claim. Slide 7.5

Collisions What should you do immediately after a collision? If there are injuries:  Stay at the scene and give all possible assistance. If you are not involved in a collision, you should stop to offer help if police or other help has not arrived.  Call for help or have someone else call.  Turn off all engines and turn on emergency flashers. Set up warning signals or flares or have someone warn approaching drivers.  Do not let anyone smoke, light a match or put flares near any vehicle in case of a fuel leak. If there is no danger of fire or explosion, leave injured people where they are until trained medical help arrives.  If you are trained in first aid, treat injuries within the level of your training. If you are not trained in first aid, use common sense.  Stay with injured people until help arrives. Slide 7.6