2.2. What is the first thing a driver involved in a road traffic accident must do if there are injured persons as a result of the incident?
UAЩо з переліченого в першу чергу зобов’язаний зробити причетний до дорожньо-транспортної пригоди водій, якщо в результаті події є потерпілі особи?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety and the correct behavior of a driver after a traffic accident involving injured persons. In such situations, the key priority is not the preservation of property or documenting the incident, but urgent actions to save lives and protect people's health. This is exactly the priority tested in the theoretical exam, as the severity of the consequences often depends on the first minutes after an accident.
The question checks knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules regarding the driver's duties in the event of involvement in an accident, specifically paragraph 2.10 (subparagraph "g"). According to the traffic rules, the driver must first organize assistance: take possible measures for first aid, call emergency (ambulance) medical services, and if this is not possible, involve bystanders and ensure the transportation of the injured to a healthcare facility. The logic of the rule is simple: traces of the accident and formalities can be recorded later, but delay in cases of bleeding, loss of consciousness, or respiratory arrest can cost lives.
The other answer options describe important but secondary actions in terms of priority. Removing the vehicle from the roadway must not be done "first of all," especially when there are injured persons and without necessity, since the Traffic Rules prohibit unjustified changes to the accident scene. Notifying the police and waiting for a crew is a duty of the driver, but it does not take precedence over the need to immediately initiate medical assistance. Likewise, preserving accident traces, marking the scene, and organizing a detour are important for safety and investigation, but when there are injured persons, the first action must be to save people and call for medical help.
Clause 2.10
In the event of involvement in a road traffic accident, the driver is obliged to: a) immediately stop the vehicle and remain at the scene of the accident; b) turn on the hazard warning lights and set up the emergency stop sign in accordance with the requirements of clause 9.10 of these Rules; c) not move the vehicle or any objects related to the accident; d) take all possible measures to provide first aid to the injured, call an emergency (ambulance) medical team, and if this is not possible, seek help from those present and send the injured to healthcare facilities; e) if it is impossible to carry out the actions listed in subparagraph "d" of clause 2.10 of these Rules, transport the injured to the nearest medical facility using your own vehicle, having first recorded the location of the accident traces and the position of the vehicle after stopping; at the medical facility, provide your surname and vehicle registration number (presenting your driver's license or other identification document, and the vehicle registration document) and return to the scene of the accident; f) report the road traffic accident to the authority or authorized unit of the National Police, record the names and addresses of witnesses, and wait for the arrival of the police; g) take all possible measures to preserve the traces of the accident, cordon them off, and organize a detour around the scene of the accident; h) until a medical examination is conducted, not consume alcohol, drugs, or medications made on their basis without a medical worker's prescription (except those included in the officially approved first aid kit).
This exam question directly checks subparagraph "d" of clause 2.10: in the presence of injured persons, the driver's primary duty is to organize first aid and call for emergency medical assistance (or involve those present/send the injured to a healthcare facility).
Clause 1.10 (term "Road Traffic Accident")
A road traffic accident is an event that occurred during the movement of a vehicle, as a result of which people were killed or injured, or material damage was caused.
This term clarifies the condition of the task ("there are injured persons") and explains why clause 2.10 of the Traffic Rules applies (driver's duties in the event of involvement in a road traffic accident).
Thus, the correct answer is "Take all possible measures to provide first aid to the injured, call an emergency (ambulance) medical team, and if it is not possible to take these measures, seek help from those present and send the injured to a healthcare facility," considering that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, the primary duty of a driver involved in a road traffic accident with injured persons is directly established by subparagraph "d" of clause 2.10 of the Traffic Rules.
When a driver becomes involved in a traffic accident and there are injured persons, the top priority is not paperwork or clarifying the circumstances, but preserving the life and health of people. That is why, in clause 2.10 of the Traffic Rules, among the driver's duties, there is a separate action highlighted that concerns the immediate assistance to the injured.
In practice, this means: the driver must quickly assess the condition of the injured and do what can realistically be done at the scene. If there are signs of a critical condition (severe bleeding, absence of breathing, loss of consciousness), there can be no delay. Within their capabilities, the driver must provide first aid (for example, attempt to stop bleeding using available first aid kit items, ensure airway patency, call for help).
At the same time, it is mandatory to call an emergency medical team. If the driver cannot provide assistance themselves or cannot call an ambulance (for example, there is no connection, the driver is physically unable), the Traffic Rules require organizing help through other people nearby and ensuring the injured are transported to a healthcare facility. In other words, the driver does not have the right to remain passive: their duty is to initiate the process of rescuing the injured.
Other actions also provided for in clause 2.10 (remaining at the scene, turning on hazard lights, placing a warning sign, not moving vehicles and objects, notifying the police) are important, but in the presence of injured persons, they are not the first priority compared to saving lives. The logic of the rule is simple: traces of the accident can be recorded, circumstances can be established, but lost time in the case of serious injuries can cost a person their life.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Take possible measures to provide first aid to the injured, call an emergency (ambulance) medical team, and if it is not possible to take these measures, seek help from those present and send the injured to a healthcare facility," because according to clause 2.10 of the Traffic Rules, in the presence of injured persons, the driver's primary duty is to organize immediate assistance and ensure the injured receive medical care.