What to do if you're involved in a road traffic collision - Crewe Police

Good morning,

We hope that you are well!

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⭕ What to do if you're involved in a road traffic collision. ⭕ 

Being in a Road Traffic Collision (RTC) can be a really scary experience, lot's of people panic and go into shock, and then can't remember what they need to do. We want our local community to feel empowered that they know what to do if they should be involved in an RTC. (Feel free to save this post!) 

1. Stop at the scene - it is a legal requirement to stop as soon as it is safe to do so

2. Switch off your engine

3. Switch on your hazard lights

4. Check for any injuries to yourself and any passengers

5. Exchange details with anyone involved - name, address, car registration number

6. Provide your insurance details if requested

If you're having trouble getting these details from someone involved or they have left without giving details, call the police on 101 while you're still at the scene of the collision.

⭕ When should I call 999?⭕

- If someone is in danger

- If someone has been seriously injured

- You believe a serious offence has been committed

- The collision has caused a blockage or dangerous obstruction of the road

⭕ How to report your collision ⭕

You don't need to report a collision to the police if you've exchanged details, nobody was injured and there are no allegations of driving offences.

You must report the collision to the police if you were unable to exchange details at the scene, if anyone was injured, or if you suspect that the other person may have committed a driving offence. 

⭕ Report it online ⭕

Report online using this link - https://www.cheshire.police.uk/ro/report/rti/rti-beta-2.1/report-a-road-traffic-incident/

Call 999 BSL to use a British Sign Language interpreter - https://999bsl.co.uk/

If you have a hearing or speech impairment - If you’ve pre-registered with the emergency sos service - https://www.relayuk.bt.com/how-to-use-relay-uk/contact-999-using-relay-uk.html, use the textphone service 18000 or text on 999.

⭕ The law defines a reportable road traffic collision as a collision involving a mechanically-propelled vehicle on a road or other public area which causes: ⭕ 

- Injury or damage to anybody - other than the driver of that vehicle

- Injury or damage to an animal - other than one being carried on that vehicle (an animal is classed as a horse, cattle, ass, mule, sheep, pig, goat or dog)*

- Damage to a vehicle - other than the vehicle which caused the collision

- Damage to property built on, attached to, growing in, or otherwise forming part of the land where the road is 

⭕ Penalties ⭕

You must report the collision no matter who was at fault.

If you don't stop at the scene or report an incident you could be committing an offence and be charged. 

The penalties include:

- A fine

- Up to six months in prison

- Penalty points on your licence

- The court can also disqualify you from driving.

Stay safe. 

PCSO Lizzie Jolley 22582 

Crewe Police 

#crewepolice #pcsojolley22582