37.48. What should be your primary actions when providing first aid to a casualty in the event of a traffic accident?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns safety during a road traffic accident and the correct sequence of actions before providing first aid. In real accident situations, the most important thing is not to worsen the situation: careless actions on the roadway, near damaged vehicles, or in areas with spilled fuel can lead to new injuries and an increase in the number of victims. That is why the traffic rules emphasize the priority of ensuring safe conditions at the scene.
The question tests knowledge of the duties of road users in the event of an accident and the general safety principles embedded in the traffic rules, in particular the requirements not to create danger (point 1.5) and to act responsibly at the scene (point 2.10). For the theoretical exam, it is important to understand the logic: first aid begins with assessing the situation, and only then proceeds to examining the victim and eliminating factors that threaten their life.
The correct answer emphasizes the priority of checking for the absence of danger to yourself, others, and the victim: this corresponds to the requirements of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine and common sense, since the rescuer should not become another casualty. The incorrect option suggests acting without regard to risks, but in the context of an accident this can be dangerous due to moving vehicles, debris, damaged wires, unstable vehicle positions, or the risk of fire. The practical conclusion for the student is simple: first make the scene as safe as possible, and only then proceed to provide assistance.
Clause 1.10 (the term "Road Traffic Accident")
Road traffic accident — 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 sets the context of the question: the actions are performed specifically in the case of a road traffic accident.
Clause 1.5
The actions or inaction of road users and other persons must not create danger or obstacles to traffic, threaten the life or health of citizens, or cause material damage.
Persons who have created such conditions are obliged to immediately take measures to ensure road safety at this section of the road.
This clause justifies the priority of assessing and eliminating danger (for oneself, the surroundings, and the victim) before any actions, including before providing first aid.
Clause 2.10
In case of involvement in a road traffic accident, the driver is obliged to:
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;
d) take possible measures to provide first aid to the victims, call an ambulance, and, if necessary, send the victims to the nearest medical facility by passing transport, and if this is not possible — transport them in their own vehicle, having previously recorded the location of the accident traces as well as the position of the vehicle after it has stopped.
This clause directly establishes the driver’s duty to first mark the scene of the accident (reduce risks for themselves/others) and take measures to provide first aid to the victims.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Make sure there is no danger for yourself, the surroundings, or the victim, and only if there is none, proceed to provide assistance," given that according to the Traffic Rules, participants must not create danger (clause 1.5), and in the event of an accident, the driver is obliged to ensure safety at the scene and take measures to provide first aid (clause 2.10).
During a traffic accident, the first mistake that drivers and witnesses often make is trying to immediately run up to the victim and “do something” without assessing the situation. However, first aid does not begin with bandaging or moving a person, but with checking whether it is safe for you to approach. If the rescuer themselves is put at risk, the number of victims will only increase, and there will be no one left to provide help.
The danger after an accident can be hidden. For example, moving vehicles nearby, spilled fuel, risk of fire, damaged wires, unstable positions of vehicles, or shards of glass and metal. In such a situation, the first priority is to make sure there are no factors that could harm you, the people around you, or the victim themselves. Only after this do you have the right to proceed with further actions.
Once you are sure there is no danger, you can proceed to actually help: stop the effect of the dangerous factor on the person (if possible without risk), assess their condition, ensure normal breathing (loosen tight clothing), determine the nature of the injuries, and if necessary, examine the injured area. But these steps are only performed after the situation is safe.
For example, if the victim is lying near the roadway and traffic is ongoing nearby, it is dangerous to immediately stand next to them—you must first make sure you will not be hit by other vehicles and that there are no additional threats. Or, if you smell a strong odor of gasoline near a damaged car, before leaning over to the victim, you need to realize the risk of fire and act in a way that does not endanger yourself or others.
Therefore, the correct answer is “Make sure there is no danger to yourself, those around you, or the victim, and only if there is no danger proceed to provide assistance,” because first aid in a traffic accident begins with assessing the safety of the scene, to prevent new injuries and to be able to truly help the victim.