Roadwise States New Mexico Driving lessons At the accident scene New Mexico driving lesson · Accidents & Insurance
At the accident scene A 3-minute lesson from the New Mexico course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Accidents & Insurance
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 36, 37 If you come upon a crash you're not part of, keep driving unless help hasn't arrived yet. If you're involved, the law requires you to stop, and what you do next can prevent a second crash and save lives.
Know the rule
Don't stop at an accident unless you are involved or emergency help hasn't arrived. Keep your attention on driving and watch for people in or near the road.
Handbook p. 36 ↗ Know the rule
Never drive to an accident, fire or other disaster just to look; you may block police, firefighters, ambulances, tow trucks and rescue vehicles.
Handbook p. 36 ↗ Know the rule
Consider carrying a basic vehicle emergency kit with flares, first aid supplies and basic tools.
Handbook p. 37 ↗ At the scene: Stop at or near the site; if your vehicle can move, get it off the road Don't stand or walk in traffic lanes Turn off the ignition of wrecked vehicles and don't smoke near them; spilled fuel can catch fire Stay away from downed power lines in the road Use flares or other warning devices to alert traffic Handbook p. 37 ↗ Know the rule
Get help: make sure police and emergency medical or rescue squads have been called, and tell police if there is a fire.
Handbook p. 37 ↗ Know the rule
Don't move injured people unless they're in a burning vehicle or in immediate danger of being hit; moving them can worsen injuries.
Handbook p. 37 ↗ Helping the injured: First help anyone not already walking and talking Check for breathing, then for bleeding Stop bleeding with direct pressure on the wound, by hand or with a cloth Give them nothing to drink, not even water Prevent shock: cover them with a blanket or coat to keep them warm Handbook p. 37 ↗ Put it into practice
After a crash, a passenger in the other car is conscious but bleeding from the arm. Call for help, leave them where they are unless there's fire or traffic danger, press a cloth firmly on the wound, and cover them with a coat. Don't give them water.
Check your understanding Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
If you are involved in an accident, what must you do? Stop Continue on if no one appears hurt Stop only if the other driver stops first Only stop if a police officer is present Answer: Stop
If you are involved in an accident you must stop.
Handbook p. 37 ↗ When should you move an injured person at an accident scene? Only after emergency services arrive Only if they're in immediate danger Never, under any circumstances As soon as possible, to make them more comfortable Answer: Only if they're in immediate danger
Do not move the injured unless they are in a burning vehicle or other immediate danger.
Handbook p. 37 ↗ What should you do first if there is bleeding at an accident scene? Apply direct pressure to the wound Move them to a more comfortable position Give the injured person water Wait for police before doing anything Answer: Apply direct pressure to the wound
If there is bleeding, apply pressure directly on the wound with your hand or a cloth.
Handbook p. 37 ↗ Should you give an injured person anything to drink at the scene? Yes, if they are conscious Yes, if they ask for it No, not even water Yes, water only Answer: No, not even water
Do not give injured persons anything to drink, not even water.
Handbook p. 37 ↗ Why should you turn off the ignition of wrecked vehicles at an accident scene? Spilled fuel makes fire a real danger It stops the vehicle from rolling away It keeps the air bags from inflating It keeps the battery from draining Answer: Spilled fuel makes fire a real danger
Turn off the ignition of wrecked vehicles and don't smoke nearby — fuel could have spilled and fire is a danger.
Handbook p. 37 ↗ You arrive at the scene of a crash you weren't involved in, and help has already arrived. What should you do? Keep moving and stay out of the way Slow down and take a longer look Pull over to take photos for insurance Stop to see if you can help direct traffic Answer: Keep moving and stay out of the way
Never drive to the scene of an accident just to look — you may block police, fire or tow vehicles.
Handbook p. 36 ↗ Previous lesson Skids & protecting yourself in a crash Next lesson Reporting a crash & insurance minimums More in Accidents & Insurance About the source Roadwise’s New Mexico course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 36, 37. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
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