Emergency handling and accident response
Emergency handling and accident response tests what a rider does in the first few seconds of a tyre blowout, brake failure, skid, fall, or collision, and how to manage the scene afterwards. The exam rewards calm, progressive control and lawful scene protection; it penalises panic braking, sudden steering, and leaving the scene.
Core procedures
- Front tyre blowout: hold the handlebars firmly, keep the throttle steady or roll off smoothly, avoid hard braking and sharp steering, and let the bike slow before easing to the shoulder.
- Brake failure: downshift through the gears, use engine braking, apply the rear brake gently if it works, and use the horn and lights to warn others. Look for an escape route or a safe runoff.
- Skid: stay off the brakes that caused it, look where you want to go, and make smooth corrections. On a fall, separate from the bike, protect your head, and stay put until traffic is controlled.
- After a crash: stop immediately, switch on hazard lights, protect the scene, check for injuries, call 122 for traffic police and 120 for medical help, and give first aid only within your training. Do not move an injured rider unless there is immediate danger such as fire or traffic.
- Warning triangle: place it 50–100 m behind the scene on an ordinary road and at least 150 m behind on an expressway; at night, also use lights.
Worked example
A rider’s front tyre suddenly loses pressure at about 60 km/h. The handlebars pull to one side. The correct response is to grip firmly, roll off the throttle, avoid the front brake, keep the bike straight, and slow gradually before stopping on the shoulder. Reasoning: hard front braking on a deflated tyre can cause the wheel to tuck; a smooth roll-off preserves stability and gives following traffic time to react.
Traps that cost marks
- Grabbing the front brake first in a blowout or on sand.
- Swerving across lanes before checking mirrors and blind spots.
- Moving an injured person who is not in immediate danger.
- Leaving the scene to “get help” when a phone call and hazard lights are available.