Accident Handling

Lorry / coach incident response, securing the scene and dealing with hazardous loads.

What this topic covers

Lorry / coach incident response, securing the scene and dealing with hazardous loads. The full PCV Theory Test app contains 73 questions on this topic, drawn from the official DVSA bank.

Worked examples

Here are a few practice questions from this topic. Try answering each before reading the explanation.

Example 1

In the UK the headroom under bridges, unless otherwise shown, is AT LEAST

A. 4.8 metres (16 feet)
B. 5 metres (16 feet 6 inches) ✓ correct
C. 6 metres (19 feet 8 inches)
D. 8 metres (26 feet 3 inches)

Explanation: You must always be aware of the height of the vehicle you’re driving. There are about 800 incidents a year where vehicles or their loads hit railway or other bridges. Every effort should be made to prevent this happening. If you hit a bridge you must report it to the police and if it’s a railway bridge you must also report it to the relevant railway authority. Failure to report an incident involving a railway bridge is an offence.

Example 2

You arrive at an accident where someone is suffering from severe burns. Which of the following would help?

A. Douse the burns with cold water ✓ correct
B. Remove anything stuck to the burns
C. Burst blisters that form on the burns
D. Apply ointment to the burns

Explanation: Cold water will cool the burning tissue, help prevent further damage, reduce swelling, minimise shock and alleviate pain. Use water, or another liquid, that is clean and non-toxic.

Example 3

You have stopped at the scene of an accident to give help. Which THREE things should you do?

A. Keep injured people warm and comfortable ✓ correct
B. Keep injured people calm by talking to them reassuringly ✓ correct
C. Keep injured people on the move by walking them around
D. Give injured people a warm drink
E. Make sure that injured people are not left alone ✓ correct

Explanation: If you stop to give help and there are casualties, don’t move injured people unless there is further danger. Don’t give them anything to drink.

Example 4

You arrive at the scene of a motorcycle accident. No other vehicle is involved. The rider is unconscious, lying in the middle of the road. The first thing you should do is

A. move the rider out of the road
B. warn other traffic ✓ correct
C. clear the road of debris
D. give the rider reassurance

Explanation: The motorcyclist is in an extremely vulnerable position, exposed to further danger from traffic. The traffic needs to slow right down and be aware of the hazard in good time.

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