Theory Test: Accidents & Emergencies

To learn all about the Accidents & Emergencies category watch the video or read the article below.

The theory test featuring questions from this category is at the bottom of the page.

Topics Include

  • First Aid – basic first aid and dealing with road accidents.
  • Warning Devices – knowing how to warn other road users of an accident
  • Reporting Procedures – knowing how & when to call the emergency services & knowing when you must report road accidents.
  • Safety Regulations – understanding the warning signs and dangers for vehicles carrying hazardous loads.

Use Hazard Warning Lights

  • When stopped and temporarily obstructing traffic.
  • When you slow down quickly on a motorway because of a hazard ahead.

First Aid

To stop bleeding without the aid of a bandage apply pressure to the wound and, if possible, raise it.

If an accident victim has a burn, you should try and cool it, with clean, cool, non-toxic liquid, for at least 10 minutes. If anything is stuck to the burn do not remove it.

You find an unconscious casualty. You should check their breathing for at least 10 seconds. Do this by placing your cheek over their mouth and nose (to feel for breath) and then looking to see if the chest rises.

If the casualty is breathing you should still check that their airway is clear.

If a casualty isn’t breathing then chest compression should be given at a rate of 100 per minute. The correct depth to press is 4 to 5 centimeters.

When giving mouth to mouth resuscitation to a child you must breath into their mouth gently.

A person suffering from shock may be sweating and have pale grey skin.

An unconscious motorcyclist must only be moved if absolutely necessary, as moving them could worsen any injuries. Do not remove their helmet. Seek medical assistance straight away.

Any casualty with suspected back injuries should not be moved.

At any crash if you find an unconscious casualty your first priority is to check their breathing.

You must then:

  • check circulation
  • check if the airway is clear. If it isn’t, and you can hear snoring or gurgling noises, remove any obvious obstruction. Only tilt the head back gently as a last resort if the patient is unable to breathe
  • ensure professional help is on the way
  • stop any heavy bleeding
  • warn other traffic.

Try and keep injured people:

  • warm and comfortable by reassuring them
  • do not leave them alone.

Accident Scenes

If you arrive at a accident scene:

  • make sure all engines are switched off.
  • call the emergency services.
  • don’t put yourself at risk.
  • switch on your hazard warning lights.
  • get people who are not injured away from the scene (this is your priority).
If you are in a collision that causes damage or injury to any other person, vehicle, animal or property then you must stop and give the following details to anyone who has reasonable grounds for requiring them.
  • your name
  • the vehicle owner’s name and address
  • the vehicle’s make and registration
  • insurance details

If you cause damage to property and the property owner is not available then you must inform the police within 24 hours.

If you are involved in a road accident the police may ask to see your driving licence, insurance certificate, MOT certificate.

Long Tunnels

  • When driving through long tunnels variable message signs will warn you of congestion or an incident ahead.
  • Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front. If the vehicle in front stops or breakdown you may need to manoeuvre passed it.
  • If you breakdown use your hazard lights and call for help.
  • Tune your radio to the frequency shown.
  • If your vehicle catches fire continue through the tunnel if you can. If you can’t try and put the fire out.

Level Crossings

If you breakdown on a level crossing:

  • leave your vehicle and get yourself and any passengers away from the crossing
  • phone the signal operator
  • move the vehicle if a signal operator tells you to.

Motorways

  • If you get a puncture on a motorway pull up on the hard should and use the emergency phone to call for help.
  • Use your hazard lights to warn other drivers if you have to slow down quickly due to a hazard ahead or if your breakdown and can’t reach the hard shoulder.
  • A large box falls from a lorry. The lorry doesn’t stop. You should pull onto the hard shoulder near an emergency telephone and report it.

When using an emergency telephone you will be asked:

  • the number on the telephone
  • details of yourself and your vehicle
  • are you a member of a motoring organisation.

Other Facts to Know

  • If your engine catches fire you should pull up as safely and as quickly as you can and call the fire brigade. Do not open the bonnet.
  • While driving a dashboard warning light comes on, you should check out the problem quickly and safely.
  • If you breakdown and have a warning triangle, place it at least 45m behind your vehicle.
9 votes, 4.9 avg

Theory Test: Accidents & Incidents

If you need to display a warning triangle make sure that it can be clearly seen by other road users. Place it on the same side of the road as the broken down vehicle and away from any obstruction that would make it hard to see.

1 / 30

You have broken down on a two-way road. You have a warning triangle. You should place it at least how far from your vehicle?

(mark ONE answer)

If any object falls onto the motorway carriageway from your vehicle pull over onto the hard shoulder near an emergency telephone and phone for assistance. Don't stop on the carriageway or attempt to retrieve anything.

2 / 30

You are on a motorway. Luggage falls from your vehicle. What should you do?

(mark ONE answer)

Make sure you know what the different warning lights mean. An illuminated warning light could mean that your car is unsafe to drive. Don’t take risks. If you aren’t sure about the problem get a qualified mechanic to check it.

3 / 30

While driving, a warning light on your vehicle's instrument panel comes on. You should

(mark ONE answer)

Used correctly, these items can provide invaluable help in the event of a collision or breakdown. They could even save a life.

4 / 30

Which three of these items should you carry for use in the event of a collision?

(mark THREE answers)

Try to keep calm and don't rush. Ensure you have all the details before you leave the scene. If possible take pictures and note the positions of all the vehicles involved.

5 / 30

You are in collision with another moving vehicle. Someone is injured and your vehicle is damaged. Which FOUR of the following should you find out?

(mark FOUR answers)

If you are wearing sunglasses you should remove them before driving into a tunnel. If you don’t, your vision will be restricted, even in tunnels that appear to be well-lit.

6 / 30

Before driving through a tunnel what should you do?

(mark ONE answer)

Try to stay calm, especially if you have passengers om board. If you can't restart your engine before the warning bell rings, leave the vehicle and get yourself clear of the crossing.

7 / 30

You have stalled in the middle of a level crossing and cannot restart the engine. The warning bell starts to ring. You should

(mark ONE answer)

When the area is safe and there’s no danger from other traffic or fire it’s better not to move casualties. Moving them may cause further injury.

8 / 30

At an incident it is important to look after any casualties. When it is safe, you should

(mark ONE answer)

There will be an orange label on the side and rear of the tanker. Look at this carefully and report what it says when you phone the emergency services. Details of hazard warning plates are given in The Highway Code.

9 / 30

A tanker is involved in a collison. Which sign shows that it is carrying dangerous goods?

(mark ONE answer)

Use a liquid that is clean, cold and non-toxic, preferably water. Its coolness will help take the heat out of the burn and relieve the pain. Keep the wound doused for at least ten minutes. If blisters appear don't attempt to burst them as this could lead to infection.

10 / 30

You arrive at an incident where someone is suffering from severe burns. You should

(mark ONE answer)

If a young child has stopped breathing, first check that their airway is open and then begin CPR. With a young child, you may only need to use one hand and you shouldn’t press down as far as you would with an adult. Continue the procedure until the child is breathing again or until a medical professional takes over.

11 / 30

At an incident a small child is not breathing. To restore normal breathing you should breathe into their mouth

(mark ONE answer)

Remember DR ABC (Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Compressions). An unconscious casualty may have difficulty breathing. Check that their airway is clear by tilting the head back gently. Unblock the airway if necessary, then make sure the casualty is breathing. Compressions may need to be given to maintain circulation.

12 / 30

At an incident a casulaty is unconscious. Which THREE of these should you check urgently?

(mark THREE answers)

An adult casualty is not breathing normally. To maintain circulation place two hands on the centre of the chest. Then press down 4 to 5 centimetres at a rate of 100 times per minute.

13 / 30

An adult is not breathing. To maintain circulation, compressions should be given. What is the correct depth to press?

(mark ONE answer)

After the casualty has been placed in the recovery position, their airway should be checked to make sure it is clear. Don't leave them alone until medical help arrives. Where possible do NOT move a casualty unless there's further danger.

14 / 30

An injured person has been placed in the recovery position. They are unconscious but breathing normally. What else should be done?

(mark ONE answer)

The effects of shock may not be immediately obvious. Warning signs are rapid pulse, sweating, pale grey skin and rapid shallow breathing.

15 / 30

A person has been injured. They may be suffering from shock. What are the warning signs to look for?

(mark ONE answer)

If a casualty isn't breathing normally, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may be needed to maintain circulation. Place two hands on the centre of the chest and press down hard and fast – around 5–6 centimetres and about twice a second.

16 / 30

A casualty is not breathing normally. Chest compressions should be given. At what rate?

(mark ONE answer)

Check the casualty for shock and if possible try to cool the burn for at least ten minutes. Use a clean, cold non-toxic liquid preferably water.

17 / 30

Following a collision someone has suffered a burn. The burn needs to be cooled. What is the shortest time it should be cooled for?

(mark ONE answer)

If possible, lay the casualty down. Protect yourself from exposure to blood and, when you're sure there's nothing in the wound, apply firm pressure to it using clean material.

18 / 30

You arrive at the scene of a crash. Someone is bleeding badly from an arm wound. There is nothing embedded in it. What should you do?

(mark ONE answer)

Once the airway is open, check breathing. Listen and feel for breath. Do this by placing your cheek over their mouth and nose, and look to see if the chest rises. This should be done for up to 10 seconds.

19 / 30

You are at an incident where a casualty is unconscious. Their breathing should be checked. This should be done for at least

(mark ONE answer)

Hazard warning lights are fitted to all modern cars and some motorcycles. They should only be used to warn other road users of a hazard ahead.

20 / 30

For which TWO should you use hazard warning lights?

(mark TWO answers)

If a disabled driver's vehicle breaks down and they are unable to walk to an emergency phone, they're advised to stay in their car and switch on the hazard warning lights. They may also display a 'Help' pennant in their vehicle.

21 / 30

You see a car on the hard shoulder of a motorway with a HELP pennant displayed. This means the driver is most likely to be

(mark ONE answer)

It’s important to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front at all times. This still applies in congested tunnels even if you are moving very slowly or have stopped. If the vehicle in front breaks down you may need room to manoeuvre past it.

22 / 30

You are going through a congested tunnel and have to stop. What should you do?

(mark ONE answer)

Lorry drivers can be unaware of objects falling from their vehicles. If you see something fall onto a motorway look to see if the driver pulls over. If they don’t stop, do not attempt to retrieve it yourself. Pull on to the hard shoulder near an emergency telephone and report the hazard. You will be connected to the police or a Highways Agency control centre.

23 / 30

You are on a motorway. A large box falls onto the road from a lorry. The lorry does not stop. You should

(mark ONE answer)

DO NOT remove a motorcyclist’s helmet unless it is essential. Remember they may be suffering from shock. Don’t give them anything to eat or drink but do reassure them confidently.

24 / 30

You arrive at the scene of a motorcycle crash. The rider is injured. When should the helmet be removed?

(mark ONE answer)

Keeping casualties or witnesses calm is important, but never offer a cigarette because of the risk of fire. Bear in mind they may be in shock. Don’t offer an injured person anything to eat or drink. They may have internal injuries or need surgery.

25 / 30

Which of the following should you not do at the scene of a collision?

(mark ONE answer)

Do not move a casualty unless therev is further danger, for example, from other traffic or fire. They may unseen or internal injuries. Moving them unnecessarily could cause further injury. Do NOT remove a motorcyclist's helmet unless it is essential.

26 / 30

At an incident a casualty is unconscious but still breathing. You should only move them if

(mark ONE answer)

A tyre bursting can lead to a loss of control, especially if you’re travelling at high speed. Using the correct procedure should help you to stop the vehicle safely.

27 / 30

Your tyre bursts while you are driving. Which TWO things should you do?

(mark TWO answers)

The fuel in your vehicle can be a dangerous fire hazard. Never

  • use a naked flame near the vehicle if you can smell fuel
  • smoke when refuelling your vehicle

28 / 30

Which TWO safeguards could you take against fire risk to your vehicle?

(mark TWO answers)

If it's possible, and you can do so without causing further danger, it may be safer to drive a vehicle which is on fire out of the tunnel. The greatest danger in a tunnel fire is smoke and suffocation.

29 / 30

Your vehicle catches fire while driving through a tunnel. It is still driveable. What should you do?

(mark ONE answer)

Advance warning triangles fold flat and don't take up much room. Use it to warn other road users if your vehicle has broken down or there's been an incident. Don't use them on motorways.

30 / 30

You are in a collision on a two-way road. You have a warning triangle with you. At what distance before the obstruction should you place the warning triangle?

(mark ONE answer)

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