Crash and vehicle-safety questions test sequence, category and deadline. First protect people, then identify whether anyone was injured, choose the matching reporting path, and keep routine vehicle and seatbelt duties separate from the crash response.
Start with people, then start the correct clock
A driver involved in a crash must bring the vehicle to a stop, assess whether anyone is injured and give help when able. Do not let a later paperwork deadline delay those immediate actions. If anyone is injured, notify Police as soon as possible; 24 hours is the latest permitted point, not a reason to wait. For emergency help use 111. From a mobile phone, *555 is for an urgent road incident that is not life-threatening, while 105 is for a non-emergency Police matter. Choose by urgency rather than using the same number for every report.
| Situation | Action and timing |
|---|---|
| Any crash involvement | Stop, check for injured people and help when able. |
| Someone is injured | Notify Police as soon as possible and within 24 hours. |
| Non-injury damage and the owner is reachable | Give name, address, plate number and the location of the accident within 48 hours. |
| The affected owner cannot readily be found | Report the property damage to Police within 60 hours. |
| Routine non-emergency Police matter | Use 105 rather than the emergency channel. |
For the stated non-injury property-damage case, preserve all four owner details: name, address, plate number and accident location. Deliver them to the affected owner within 48 hours. The 60-hour Police report is a fallback when that owner cannot readily be contacted or identified; it is not the injury-crash clock. Away from a crash, a private car still needs an in-date warrant of fitness and licence label, with required equipment such as lights, wipers, mirrors, brakes, tyres and seatbelts kept serviceable or safe. While moving, the driver is responsible for passengers under 15 wearing an available belt correctly. A passenger aged 15 or over carries their own responsibility.
The traps
- Leaving because the vehicles can still move. A driver involved in a crash stops, checks for injured people and helps when able before dealing with later reporting duties.
- Using the non-injury owner-details period for an injury crash. Police must be notified as soon as possible and no later than 24 hours after anyone is injured.
- Using the emergency number for a routine Police matter. Reserve 111 for emergencies, use *555 for an urgent non-life-threatening road incident from a mobile, and use 105 for a non-emergency Police matter.
- Substituting a first-aid kit for the vehicle-compliance check. A private car still needs a current warrant of fitness and licence label, with required equipment kept serviceable or safe.
Try it
After a crash with no injuries, another person's parked car is damaged. Which duties and deadlines apply? Select all that apply.
- Provide name, address, plate number, and the accident location to the affected owner within 48 hours
- Wait seven days before trying to contact the owner
- Report to Police within 60 hours if the affected owner cannot be found
- Report every non-injury crash to Police within 24 hours even after giving the owner details
A driver carries a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old in seats with working seatbelts. Who is responsible for ensuring each passenger wears the belt correctly while the car moves?
- Each passenger is responsible because both are older than seven
- The driver is responsible for the 14-year-old, and the 16-year-old is responsible for themselves
- The driver is responsible for both passengers until they turn 18
- Only the vehicle owner is responsible for both passengers