Motorists often find themselves in upsetting and frustrating situations when involved in or affected by a vehicle accident.
The police in the Northern Cape gives several tips for such a situation, saying that accidents happen and affects parties involved, as well as other road users who find themselves victims thereof.
It is important to know what to do when involved in a vehicle accident.
Sgt Timothy Sam and intern Gomolemo Seitlhamo of the SAPS Media Centre have compiled the following tips:
- The first thing to do when involved in an accident is to establish the seriousness of the accident.
- If serious, where drivers, passengers or pedestrians have been killed or seriously injured, the police must be contacted immediately and the emergency services also activated.
- If it is a minor or less serious accident and vehicles can move, parties must clear the road and report the accident to the nearest police station within 24 hours.
- Parties involved must exchange information for easy reference with the police or for insurance purposes.
- Police will document, including taking photographs of the scene, by completing an Accident Report (AR) form for each driver or pedestrian reporting an accident in accordance with the SAPS regulations.
- Police will also open a case docket when a person is killed, seriously injured or when a government vehicle is involved, as well as when a serious offence is committed.
- The public can report an accident at any police station even if it occurred in another station’s precinct.
