What to do when you come across an accident.

The one thing I fear the most about being on the roads, especially during the festive season where the weather also has an effect on how people drive, is being involved in an accident. It’s the fact that I might not return home to my family that gives me the chills. 

I found some useful information from Arrive Alive on the 'do's and dont's' when you come across an accident scene. 

Accident scenes can be chaotic, if you come across an accident the first thing you are advised to do is to park your vehicle in a safe spot.

Then turn on your headlights/hazard lights on your car to help other motorists see that there has been an accident.

If you have warning triangles you can put them out.

Call the emergency medical care (ER24) on 084 124, where you will be asked for your phone number, your location and details of the accident like, how many people are injured, if there is a fire, basically what has happened from the time that you were on the scene.

Lastly, do not attempt to be a hero of some sort. If you are brave enough, you can assist those who are injured but remember that your safety comes first. If you are going to assist injured people, put on the rubber gloves. 

Otherwise just wait for help and try calm those who are involved in the accident and let them know that help is on the way, as this my ease them down a bit.