Duties of a Driver or Rider Involved in an Accident

Any person who is driving or riding a motor vehicle and is involved in an accident or contributes in any way to an accident must comply with the following legal obligations:

1. Immediate Stop
The driver or rider must immediately bring the vehicle to a complete stop at the scene of the accident.

  •This must be done regardless of whether the accident appears to be minor or serious.

  •Leaving the scene without stopping constitutes a criminal offence.



2. Check for Injuries
The driver or rider must determine the nature and extent of any injuries sustained by any person involved.

  •This includes passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, or other road users.



3. Render Assistance
The driver or rider must provide any assistance to injured persons that he or she is reasonably capable of giving.

  •Examples include calling emergency services, administering first aid if trained, or arranging transport to medical facilities.



4. Assess Damage
The driver or rider must determine the nature and extent of any damage to vehicles, property, or infrastructure (e.g., guardrails, traffic lights, road signs).



5. Provide Information on Request
If requested by any person with reasonable grounds (such as another driver, a victim, or a witness), the driver or rider must supply:
  •Full name and address,

  •Name and address of the vehicle owner (if different), and

  •Registration number of the vehicle involved in the accident.



6. Report to Authorities
  •If the driver or rider has not already given his or her personal details and the owner's details to a traffic officer at the scene,
   the accident must be reported at a police station within 24 hours.

  •The driver or rider must also provide any additional information required by the police.



7. Prohibition on Alcohol or Drugs
After the accident, the driver or rider may not consume any intoxicating liquor or narcotic drugs before reporting the accident, unless instructed by a medical practitioner.

  •This is to ensure that any later breathalyser or blood tests accurately reflect the driver's condition at the time of the accident.



8. Preserve the Scene (if Injuries or Death Occur)
If a person is killed or injured and the accident causes a complete obstruction of the roadway, no vehicle involved may be moved from the position in which it came to rest unless:

  •Its position has been clearly marked on the road surface, or

  •A traffic officer has authorised the removal.

This is to assist investigators in reconstructing the accident.


9. Removal of Damaged Vehicles
•A damaged vehicle may not be removed from the accident scene without the permission of its driver or owner, except when instructed by a traffic officer for safety or legal reasons.