Don't just watch traffic accidents, do these 6 things

Accidents on the road can happen almost every day. Throughout 2016 alone there were around 105 thousand cases of traffic accidents in Indonesia. Maybe one or two of these cases you have witnessed with your own eyes while driving. Traffic accidents always attract attention. But what do you do then? Immediately intervene to help the victims or do what has become an ingrained habit of Indonesians - to join the crowd on the side of the road, and just be a spectator?

Don't just be apathetic. Your concern to help in critical times can be the most valuable gift to anyone in need.

First aid if there is a traffic accident on the road

Next time you come across a traffic accident, this is what you should do.

1. Be calm

Witnessing a traffic accident in person requires a calm, panic-free, and calm response in traumatic situations. Rushing into a dangerous situation without a proper plan is not a wise move. As soon as possible, focus on how severe the accident was, and what can be done to improve the situation. Such accidents can be minor without anyone being seriously injured, or they can be horrific at the cost of their lives.

2. Master the situation

Don't approach the vehicle or come too close until you are sure the scene of the accident is safe. After a car accident, especially a serious one, there may be flames, scattered glass, or fuel spills.

If you are driving when you see an accident, move to the side of the road at least 30 meters from the scene if the situation allows, turn off the engine and turn on your hazard lights. You want to leave enough distance so that you don't endanger yourself from potential harm. You also don't want to recklessly get out of your vehicle in traffic, or leave your vehicle where it could lead to another car accident. Keep your physical distance until professional help arrives if you have any doubts about danger.

3. Contact the authorities

Do not get out of the car until you are completely sure the situation is safe. Hurry up and call emergency number 118 to report the location and details of the incident you saw, regardless of the presence or absence of a victim. Don't assume that other people have / will contact the authorities. If your phone is not within range, ask someone else to call the number.

If you witness a hit-and-run car accident, you should not try to confront the driver as this can also harm you if he becomes angry or throws a tantrum. Record the data on the vehicle involved in the accident, such as number plates, vehicle type, brand, type, color, to the physical description of the driver and the number of victims (if any) to anticipate a hit-and-run incident.

4. Secure the surroundings

Unless the situation is very precarious, it's best to wait for emergency services to arrive. Do not approach vehicles or get too close to the site until you are sure the accident site is safe. Keep crowds of audiences especially those who smoke or who are about to smoke. The presence of gasoline and other highly flammable materials can trigger another accident that is much worse if sparks or cigarette butts cause a fire.

Try to collect other witnesses. This will make your testimony more useful for aggrieved parties and emergency services. Ask someone to prevent onlookers from crowding the scene and to ensure that the scene is safe from further traffic incidents.

5. Help the victim

If you believe it is safe to approach the car, check the condition of the accident victim to make sure they are okay and offer to help, if you can. If a life is in danger, you can act quickly to pull it out of the scene - especially if paramedics haven't arrived at the scene.

But, you need to be careful. Accident victims may experience serious bodily damage, so you should only move the victim if the situation urges you to do so. Do not move injured persons anywhere unless it is in a dangerous situation to leave them where they are. Moving an injured person can make previously minor injuries serious. Meanwhile, make them as comfortable as possible - by bandaging the wounds or stabilizing the head and neck by placing one solid object on each side of the head. This will prevent it from moving and prevent further injury.

Help other victims who may be slightly injured and who you can carry out. If you have qualified first aid skills, such as CPR or rescue breaths, do it for the victim who is in need. If not, wait for the paramedics. Carelessly practicing rescue steps can actually endanger the victim.

Stop the passing vehicle at the first opportunity if there is a victim who needs to be taken to the hospital. Secure the victim's belongings. Don't forget to write down the vehicle number and take it where the victim was taken. If the situation allows, try to contact the victim's family based on the instructions or information provided.

6. Testify

When the police arrive at the scene, describe the chronology of the incident and give your name to the police and to the parties involved in the accident. You should also consider making notes of what you witnessed with your own eyes during the incident and after it, as you can be asked to be a witness and help reconstruct the accident if you have questions about who was guilty.