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WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, SEIPTEMBER 12, 1984, PAGE 17 Auto uid An accildent? Don't let confusion reign (NC) - Motor vehicle acci- dents-have an unpleasant way of happening ail of a sudden. In the ensuing con- fusion, we can sometimes forget what we should do to satisfy the law, our insu- rance agents and, frankly, to protect our own interests. So here, before the adre- nalin starts to flow, are a few reminders. Vour responslbillties While laws relating to a driver's responsibilities at an accident scene vary slightly from province to province, on one pointthere seemns to be general agree- ment: that the driver should stick around and render whatever assist- ance is possible to others at the scene. Also, that you should provide your name, address, and those of the owner of the vehicle you were driving, as well as the licence plate number, to the investigating officer, and others directly involved in the collision. In the agony of thc mo- ment, it's easy to forget your car was in gear and probably in motion when the collision occurred; chances are, it still is. So, turn off the ignition to pre- vent your car from lurching once again into motion. Warn other vehicles using the r<)ad of' vour pres- ence by setting out flaros and turning on your emen- gency flashers. Since gaso- line and other flammable liquids are often spilled in a collision, don't smoke or set flares too near the scene. Naturally, ail occupants of vehicles that are on fire, no matter how small or seemingly innocent. the flames, should get out immediately. Summon emergency treatment for anyone who is injured. In many cases, the best you can do is make them comfortable until the ambulance arrives. Per- form roadside fit-st aid only if you have been trained to do so. Otherwise, render whatever assistance yiiu can to those «'ho aire trained - Each province has its own criteria for whether or not an accident must be re- pot-ted to the police. Neyer- theless, it's a safe bet that the police should benotified if anybody's injured or if the damage is considera- hIe. With the high cost of re- placement parts these days, it doesn't take much for the damage to heconsid- erable. When in douht, cal] the police. Get the particu lars ofanv independent witnesses. and theit- version of' what happened. Exchange ownership, driver's licence and insu- rance part icu lars w,%it h other drivers, and obtain the namos and add resses of' any injured people, the na- ture o)f their injuries. and where they were takien foi- emergency treatment. MVotor vohicle collisionsl can often end up in c-ourt, traffic -civil orhoth - usu- ally months, if no( veairs. later. The only wvax' ou're going t<> romeml)er what happened is if' vou've made a simple diagram of' what happened and have jotted down notes describing what you and the others i n- volved did. Write it clown P>art of' your ritten obl- servations shoulcl nil ude the type ' >rnad th(- acci- den t occurred on, what Sort of shape it wats in, weather conditions and il thev <'on- tril)utedl to t hea cent whether it was nigh t oui v. floggy or cdear. a nd ho heaivy tht' trt-i*ï(ii t 1 a nea wvas. In faut. aový\tl hig that might have sorne l)aring on the i>utco>me of, the trial. 0f course.thletadv- is to atenmpt tii avoîd a<îci- (lnts altîgretl1vn. hv pi-ac. ticing ilefensive <living skills. But, sietinfl(5 (ven you r htst efforts ae enough tî keep you ou t. of troîuble. AndI, in suwh catses. it helps to know whaît tii <1<. 6 MONTH POWER TRAIN WARRANTY FOR ALL YOUR NEW & USED CAR NEEDS I7i H I*lTi7iII 1025 DUN DAS ST. W., WHITBY CALL 668*4792 NOW' John Walby trains auto- mobile technicians for Esso Petroleum Canada. PRO DODGE i Your Local I Chrysler-Dodge SSales and Service Dealer Parts & Service- Thursdays tili 9 p.m. i WHUTBY 209 Dundas St. W. 666-3000 - Imo ýbib SS io",ý" CARING FOR YOUR CAR -,ýi7IJohn Walby