Acting in case of breakdowns and accidents

When you participate in traffic, you could encounter a breakdown or accident. It is important to know how to act in these cases.

Emergency equipement in the brommobiel

Two-wheeled mopeds generally have little storage. But if you are driving in a brommobiel, then it is wise to always carry a few items with you.

A fluorescent safety vest
With such a vest, you stand out more when you are waiting alongside the road. If you are driving with passengers, take more vests with you.

A first aid kit
Not required in the Netherlands, but in some surrounding countries it is. In case of larger injuries, it could be lifesaving if you can at least apply a pressure bandage. If you do not know how to use a first aid kit, then maybe a bystander might be able to do it. A first aid course is always advisable. In addition, regularly check the first aid kit for expiry date and used things.

A warning triangle
Sometimes, you come to a stop with your vehicle in a place where you form an obstacle. In the case that your hazard lights are not working, or if they are not present on your vehicle, you are required to place a warning triangle with a brommobiel. You place it at a minimum distance of 30 metres away from the vehicle. This is also wise if your vehicle cannot be seen in time with only the hazard lights on. Carrying a warning triangle is not mandatory, but it is advisable if you are going out in a brommobiel.

A Europeam damage claim form
This is the form on which you can fill in the damage and vehicle information, when you have had an accident with damage. You then use one form with the opposing party (the driver with which you have had the accident) that you fill in together immediately after the accident. Do not forget the signatures! Then you divide the two sheets of this form (the original and the carbon copy) between the both of you. Fill in the back side at home. After this, you send the form to the insurance company, that will handle the claim further.

Nowadays, more and more insurers also accept it when you enter the damages in a special damage report app. Even then, it is wise to carry a paper version with you. Not everyone can deal with this digital version, and you will have to fill in the paper version together with the opposing party.

Rules during a breakdown

• Park or place the vehicle as safe as possible on a parking lot, lay-by, in the verge or on a (wide) pavement. Here, the only rule that applies is that you must try and cause as little danger or hindrance as possible.
• Think of your own safety and the safety of a possible passenger, preferably wear a safety vest. Together with your passenger, find a safe place to wait, away from the carriageway.
• If necessary, place a warning triangle at a distance of 30 metres and turn on your hazard lights if you have these. When it is dark or during poor visibility, also turn on your side lights and rear lights.
• Try to fix the problem or contact emergency or breakdown services. Repairing a vehicle is only allowed of you can safely do this.

Rules during an accident

In case of an accident, it is important to act in a set order.

• Personal safety
  Always think of your own safety first. If you also get injured, you cannot offer any aid.
• Someone else’s safety
  Check how the victims are doing and make sure that others do not run any unnecessary risks.
• Mark the accident site
  Make sure that it is clear to other traffic that something happened. That way they can adjust their speed and no other accidents happen.
• Notify emergency services
  Inform the correct emergency services of the accident and indicate what help is needed.
• Provide the necessary aid
  If necessary, provide first aid. Always let the most qualified person provide first aid.

Extra things to keep in mind are:

• You are required to help if this is necessary, even if you are not immediately involved in the accident, but only saw the accident happen.
• Try to avoid an overload of ‘helpers’ by keeping spectators at bay and keep your distance if there is enough help.
• Listen to emergency services. Follow their directions and do not get in their way!

Emergency services

In case of (possibly) injured people, always call the emergency services via the emergency number 112. It can sometimes appear that someone is not injured, but then it turns out to be so afterwards. Due to adrenaline, a victim sometimes does not initially feel that they are in bad shape.

When calling, mention the location where you are and which emergency service is needed. Also mention the street name, the hectometre sign along the road or another location indicator of where you are. Do the things that are asked of you. Stay on the line as long as the operator indicates.

If there is no life-threatening situation, but the police do need to come or if you have a question for the police, then you can call the national police number 0900-8844.

Offering first aid

If there are injured people, never move them just like that. You only do this when not moving the victim is more dangerous than moving them. If a victim is lying on railway tracks or is in a car that is at risk of catching fire, it is better to move them carefully.
When the victim is wearing a helmet, the same applies. You are not allowed to remove it, unless leaving the helmet is riskier. This is the case, for example, if the victim vomits and therefore can no longer breathe.

Make contact with the victim and calm him down. Let the victim move as little as possible and have someone hold their head if there is a risk of neck injuries. If the victim is unconscious, then it is important to check whether they are still breathing. If this is not the case, then let the person with the most medical knowledge administer CPR. Also pass this on to emergency services. If the victim is breathing, but is at risk of vomiting or a different threat to the airways, then put them in the stable side position.

To be able to properly help someone, it is best to follow a first aid course. You can find more information on the website of the red cross.

One-sided accident

In any accident where no other party is directly involved, but damage is caused to someone else’s property or municipal property, you are obligated to report it. You can do this immediately if you can find the owner, or by calling the police. Driving on without leaving your information is punishable.

In case of a collision involving animals, such as a cat, a dog or a wild animal such as a deer, you are obligated to inform the police. In the latter case, there is a special phone number available for the animal police: 144. This is a separate department within the normal police.

Hazardous materials

If you are involved in an accident with a vehicle that transports hazardous materials, it is mainly important for emergency services to know which hazardous materials were transported and what the danger of these materials is. Therefore, always pass on the numbers indicated on the orange plate on the lorry.