Trainee bus driver and instructor reviewing a checklist beside a single-deck bus at the depot

PCV study notes

Accident Handling

Reducing risk at an incident, dealing with injuries and casualties, and securing the scene.

What this topic covers

Reducing risk at an incident, dealing with injuries and casualties, and securing the scene. The full PCV Theory Test & Toolkit app contains 55 questions on this topic.

In the app's syllabus: Reducing risk, Injuries, Casualties.

Worked examples

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

Example 1

You arrive at the scene of an incident and someone is unconscious. What's the first thing you should do to help them?

A. Look for any witnesses
B. Check that they're breathing ✓ correct
C. Try to get them to drink water
D. Take the numbers of the vehicles involved

Explanation: The priority when dealing with an unconscious person is to make sure their airway is open and they can breathe. Stay with the casualty and make sure someone rings for an ambulance.

Example 2

What must you do if you're involved in a traffic incident?

A. Drive to the nearest police station
B. Stop at the scene ✓ correct
C. Inform the police within 7 days
D. Drive on for help

Explanation: If your vehicle is involved in a traffic incident, you must stop. Follow the guidance set out in The Highway Code if there's injury or damage to any other person, vehicle or property.

Example 3

Your vehicle catches fire while you're driving through a tunnel. What should you do if the vehicle can still be driven?

A. Drive it out of the tunnel if you can do so ✓ correct
B. Park it away from the carriageway
C. Stop, then walk to an emergency telephone point
D. Leave it where it is, with the engine running

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

Example 4

You're at an incident. Why may it be harmful to move a casualty?

A. You could cause more injury ✓ correct
B. You could be accused of assault
C. You could get blood on your hands
D. You could damage your back

Explanation: Be especially careful about moving casualties at the scene of an incident. Inexperienced handling of a casualty could cause more injury, or even be fatal. Only move casualties if they're in danger; for example, from fire.

Ready to test yourself?

Take the interactive quiz for Accident Handling.

Start Accident Handling quiz →

More PCV study notes

Get all 55 questions on this topic in the PCV Theory Test & Toolkit app.