[Santa]

After a recent near miss, I was wondering if the advice about what to do after a collision is these days. I looked online and saw:

1. Stop the car - failing to do so is an offence
2. Switch off the engine and turn on the hazard lights
3. Check for any injuries to yourself or your passengers. Call an ambulance if necessary
4. Call the police - 999 or 101 depending on the situation
5. Give your details to anyone else involved
6. Collect details from any other drivers, passengers or witnesses
7. Take photos if necessary
8. Contact your insurer

Not much change then. My thoughts were mostly around #4 - "Give your details"

I know that you are obliged to give your name and address to anyone else involved, but there are some circumstances where I would not really want the other parties to know where I live.

Another website suggests getting details of any passengers as well as independent witnesses. That might also be problematic.

#7 - Taking photos is one piece of advice that I would heartily endorse. If you can, you want to get details of the damage, positions on the road, any relevant signage, and pictures of passengers in the other vehicle(s).

I would be interested to see comments.

[Drivingforfun]

I have wondered before and never found a definite answer, but if you are genuinely afraid of the other driver and what they may do are you allowed to drive off and report the accident to the police?

If you do stop and the other driver is not cooperative, what do you do then?

[Beelzebub]

Originally Posted by Drivingforfun

I have wondered before and never found a definite answer, but if you are genuinely afraid of the other driver and what they may do are you allowed to drive off and report the accident to the police?

If you do stop and the other driver is not cooperative, what do you do then?

The law [Road Traffic Act 1988, s170(3)} says:
"If for any reason the driver of the mechanically propelled vehicle does not give his name and address under subsection (2) above, he must report the accident."
and "report" means to a constable or at a police station "as soon as is reasonably practicable and, in any case, within twenty-four hours"
If the other driver won't give his details, I'd call the police.It's a criminal offence.

[Beelzebub]

Originally Posted by Santa

Not much change then. My thoughts were mostly around #4 - "Give your details"

I know that you are obliged to give your name and address to anyone else involved, but there are some circumstances where I would not really want the other parties to know where I live.

.

Calling the police on 101 is probably a waste of time, unless someone is injured, or the road is blocked.
As for giving name and address, you don't have much choice. They're entitled to get them, just as you're entitled to get theirs, and would be foolish not to. We see occasional posts from people who simply get a phone number, and then find no-one answers it. IF you don't give your details, and report it to the police instead, they will simply pass your details on.