Accident & Emergency Tips

Learn what you should do while driving a car, if you are involved in a car accident or witness an accident.

1. NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE. Take your driver or hire a cab if you plan to drink.
   
2. Do not speed while driving, it is better to be late than sorry! If you have a driver, please brief him not to drive fast even if the roads are empty. A simple puncture at high speed can cause the car to over-turn.
   
3. Stop at the traffic junction even if the lights are green, on amber blinkers or more importantly if there are no lights. Make sure there are no speeding vehicles approaching the junction. If there are any, wait for them to pass.
   
4. Car drivers must wear a seat-belt, and bikers a helmet - even if you're only planning to travel a short distance. Most accident fatalities occur due to head and neck injuries, and a seat-belt/helmet provides a level of protection from these.
   
5. If you are involved in a high-speed crash and are injured but conscious, do not move with a jerk or let anyone else move you forcibly. Remain calm, move out of the vehicle slowly and try to evaluate your injuries. Here are some steps to help yourself and others:
   
   • CALL FOR HELP.
     
     You can call the numbers below for immediate help in your city:
     
     Ahemadabad - 108/100
     Bangalore - 103/1062/100
     Chennai - 100/1066
     Delhi - 100/102/1099
     Gurgaon - 100/2320100/4585666
     Hyderabad - 108/100/1066
     Jaipur - 108
     Kolkata - 100/22485277
     Mumbai - 100/102/1298
     Noida - 100/2444444
     
     If your city is not listed above, find out the Accident-care or Police helpline number and feed them in your phone as speed-dial asap!.
     
   • If you are bleeding heavily, take off your shirt, chunni or pagri and use it to apply pressure on the wound, if possible by tying a knot. Use someone's help if you are unable to do so. Heavy bleeding needs to be stopped!
     
   • If your back hurts, move to the side of the road and lie still on your back. Wait for help to arrive. If someone is moving you, try and make sure you keep your spine as straight as possible.
     
   • If you are feeling dizzy or fear that you will get unconscious, move to the road-side and lie on your left side with your left arm under your head. This will ensure that your tongue or blood in the mouth does not block your airway if you do become unconscious.
     
   • If a foreign object has entered your body, do not take it out or let anyone else take it out. Remain calm, and try to get to a hospital as soon as possible.
     

Lastly, if you witness an accident, please DO NOT drive away. At the very least, call for help. You can also help the victim by saying soothing words such as "You will be fine", "It's not a major injury", "Help is on the way", etc. This will help prevent the victim from going into shock, and calm him/her down.