Nobody sets off on a journey expecting to arrive at the scene of a serious collision. Yet every serious collision has a first witness. A first person to stop. A first person suddenly faced with the reality of the situation before them. The question is whether we’ve really thought about what we’d do if that person was us.
We spend years learning how to drive. We learn the rules of the road, gain experience and become more confident behind the wheel. Yet we rarely think about how we’d respond in those circumstances. Perhaps that’s because we hope it never happens but there are simple things we can all do before setting off that may help if the unexpected occurs, from carrying out basic vehicle checks to ensuring our phone is charged. If we ever find ourselves first on the scene, those first few minutes can feel overwhelming, which made me want to understand what emergency responders wish the rest of us knew.
The First Few Minutes
Ben Myer, Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Service Development Lead, explained: “Road Traffic Collisions consistently are our second most attended incidents after Cardiac Arrests. We’re called when there are concerns about significant serious injuries, when time is critical or when reaching a patient quickly is particularly challenging. What strikes me is that these incidents almost always begin as ordinary journeys. Someone driving to work or visiting family. Perhaps they’re just heading home. In many cases, when we arrive, a great deal has already happened. Those early minutes can make a real difference and can save lives.”
Ben’s perspective is a reminder that the emergency response begins long before specialist teams arrive. The information shared with emergency services, the speed with which help is requested and the circumstances they encounter on arrival all influence the response that follows.
Before Help Arrives
Louise Curtis, Road & Water Safety Manager at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, explained: “If you’re first on the scene of a serious road traffic collision, the most important thing to remember is that your own safety comes first. Take a moment to assess the scene before approaching, then call 999 and give the clearest information you can, including your location. Tools such as what3words can help emergency services find you more quickly. One misconception we regularly encounter is that someone who says they’re fine doesn’t need medical attention. Shock and adrenaline can mask serious injuries, so it’s important they are assessed by emergency services. Above all, stay calm, reassure those involved if it’s safe to do so, and never put yourself at risk to reach casualties.”
Looking Beyond the Roadside
Through my work, I meet people whose lives have changed because of a serious road traffic collision. I see the rehabilitation that follows, the adjustments families make and the challenges that continue long after the emergency services have left and the road has reopened. It reinforces that the importance of those first few minutes isn’t always fully understood at the time. The information provided, the speed of the response and the decisions made during those first few minutes may all influence what follows, often in ways that aren’t immediately obvious.
None of us expects to arrive first at the scene of a serious collision and most of us hope we never do. If that moment ever comes, we won’t be expected to have all the answers but staying calm, protecting ourselves and others, and giving the emergency services the information they need may make a real difference. Those first few minutes may last only a short time, but their impact can extend far beyond the roadside.
Safer Roads East is a thought leadership series led by Steve Stratton and Ellisons’ Injury Services Team, bringing together voices from across the East of England to explore road safety issues and share practical insights.
