Indiana · Handbook chapter 10 · 5 min read

Chapter 10: Crashes and emergencies

What Indiana law requires after a crash, how to avoid a collision, impaired drivers, tire blowouts, brake failure, running off the pavement, plunging into water, traffic stops, vehicle theft and carbon monoxide.

Why this chapter matters

Emergencies happen in seconds. Knowing the right move ahead of time, and the legal duties after a crash, can save lives and keep you out of trouble. The exam often asks what to do in a blowout or when your brakes fail.

After a crash

• Stop at or as close to the scene as possible without blocking traffic more than needed.
• If the crash is on the traveled part of a highway, move your vehicle off the road nearby, unless the crash involves hazardous materials or someone is injured, killed or trapped.
• Stay at the scene. Give your name, address and vehicle registration number to everyone involved and show your driver's license.
• If anyone is hurt or killed, give reasonable help as directed by police, medical staff or a 911 operator, and make sure police are told.
• If you hit an unattended vehicle or property, stop, try to find the owner, and if you cannot, call the police.
• The BMV may later ask for proof of insurance, a Certificate of Compliance, filed by your insurer.

Avoiding a collision

You have three choices: stop quickly, turn quickly away from the danger, or speed up out of its path.

• If a crash looks likely, turn away from oncoming traffic, even if it means leaving the road.
• Drive off the road rather than skid off it.
• Hit something that gives way (bushes) rather than something hard. Hitting something moving your way is better than hitting something still, and something still is better than a head-on crash. A sideswipe can help you slow down.

Running off the pavement

If your wheels drift onto the shoulder, do not jerk back onto the road. Keep driving along the shoulder, ease off the gas, and when you have slowed, steer back gradually.

Vehicle failures

• Tire blowout: hold the wheel firmly, keep the car going straight, take your foot off the gas and do not brake. Let the car slow, pull off the road and brake only when nearly stopped.
• Brake failure: shift to a lower gear and pump the brake pedal fast and hard. You may try the parking brake, holding the release so you can let go if the rear wheels lock. Look for a safe place to stop, then call for help.
• Ignition: never turn the key to the lock position while moving; the steering will lock.

If your vehicle goes into water

A car usually floats for several minutes. Do not try to open a door: water pressure makes it nearly impossible and floods the car.

1. Take off your seat belt.
2. Open a window (power windows usually still work).
3. Free children, older ones helping younger ones, and move everyone forward.
4. Climb out onto the roof and call 911.
5. Swim for shore only as a last resort, and never go back in for belongings.

Impaired drivers

Alcohol slows your thinking, coordination and reaction time; many prescription and over-the-counter drugs do too, so read labels and ask a doctor or pharmacist. A driver may be impaired if the vehicle:

• makes wide turns or straddles the center line,
• weaves, swerves or drifts,
• goes much too fast or unusually slowly,
• stops for no reason or turns abruptly,
• drives at night without headlights.

Traffic stops by police

• Turn on your right turn signal to show you have seen the officer, and pull onto the right shoulder. Never stop in the median.
• If there is no safe place yet, slow down and turn on your hazard lights until you find one. At night, choose a well-lit spot and switch on the interior light.
• End phone calls, turn off the radio and stay in the car unless told to get out.
• Keep your hands on the steering wheel; passengers keep theirs visible.
• Tell the officer where your documents are before reaching for them.
• Signing a ticket is not an admission of guilt. You can contest it in court.

Preventing theft

Take your keys, lock the doors, do not hide a spare key in the car, never leave it running unattended, park in well-lit areas and turn your wheels sharply right with the parking brake set.

Carbon monoxide

You cannot see, smell or taste carbon monoxide. It is most likely to leak in when the heater is running, the exhaust is faulty or you sit in heavy traffic. Signs include drowsiness, dizziness, headache, light sensitivity and a bluish tinge to the lips. Have the exhaust checked, never run the engine in a closed garage, close the fresh-air vent in congested traffic and open it on highways in cold weather.