PCV Emergency Procedures on Coaches 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What must a PCV driver do after any road traffic accident involving the vehicle?
- Stop, give name and vehicle details to anyone with reasonable grounds to request them, report to police within 24 hours if required, and complete an incident report (Correct answer)
- Only stop if there are injuries
- Only report if the coach is significantly damaged
- Continue to destination and report at the depot
Correct answer: Stop, give name and vehicle details to anyone with reasonable grounds to request them, report to police within 24 hours if required, and complete an incident report
After any road accident, the driver must stop, provide their name, address, vehicle registration, and insurance details to anyone with reasonable grounds to request them. If injury occurs and details were not exchanged at the scene, the incident must be reported to police within 24 hours.
Question 2: How should a driver handle an emergency if a passenger has choked on food and is unconscious?
- Call 999 immediately, apply abdominal thrusts if trained, begin CPR if the passenger has no pulse — stop only when emergency services arrive or the passenger recovers (Correct answer)
- Wait for emergency services before any intervention
- Only administer first aid if you are a qualified first aider
- Move the passenger to the aisle and continue the journey to the nearest hospital
Correct answer: Call 999 immediately, apply abdominal thrusts if trained, begin CPR if the passenger has no pulse — stop only when emergency services arrive or the passenger recovers
A choking, unconscious passenger is a life-threatening emergency. Stop the coach immediately, call 999, apply back blows and abdominal thrusts for choking, and if the passenger is not breathing, begin CPR. Do not wait for emergency services before acting.
Question 3: What is the procedure if a coach catches fire while in a tunnel?
- Drive out of the tunnel if possible — if not, stop as far right as possible, activate hazard lights, evacuate passengers using emergency exits, use emergency phones, and do not block the emergency lane (Correct answer)
- Stop immediately and evacuate — never try to drive through a fire
- Only evacuate through the front doors — rear exits are for cars only
- Wait for the tunnel ventilation system to deal with the fire
Correct answer: Drive out of the tunnel if possible — if not, stop as far right as possible, activate hazard lights, evacuate passengers using emergency exits, use emergency phones, and do not block the emergency lane
In a tunnel fire, if it is safe to continue driving out, do so. If not, stop as far right as possible, switch on hazard lights, evacuate passengers using all available exits, use the tunnel's emergency phones, and direct passengers to emergency exits or refuge. Do not block the emergency lane.
Question 4: What information should a PCV driver provide when calling 999 in an emergency?
- Location (road, junction, landmark), nature of emergency, number of casualties, any hazards (fuel spill, fire), and remain on the line if possible (Correct answer)
- Name and insurance details first
- Only the location — emergency services will ask for everything else
- Just the vehicle registration — emergency services can access all other details
Correct answer: Location (road, junction, landmark), nature of emergency, number of casualties, any hazards (fuel spill, fire), and remain on the line if possible
When calling 999, the operator needs: exact location (road, direction, nearby junction or landmark), nature of the emergency (accident, fire, medical), number of casualties, and any hazards. Stay on the line if possible — do not hang up until instructed to.
Question 5: What is the duty of a PCV driver at the scene of an accident when passengers are injured?
- Make the scene as safe as possible, call 999, provide first aid within their competence, and support passengers until emergency services arrive (Correct answer)
- Leave injured passengers for emergency services — moving them could worsen injuries
- Only provide assistance if specifically asked
- Continue the journey and call the operator to arrange medical assistance
Correct answer: Make the scene as safe as possible, call 999, provide first aid within their competence, and support passengers until emergency services arrive
At an accident scene with injuries, the driver should: make the scene safe (engine off, hazard lights, prevent further collision), call 999, provide first aid within their training level, reassure passengers, and not move critically injured passengers unless there is immediate danger.
Question 6: What is the emergency procedure for a PCV with a suspected gas cylinder leak (on a coach with LPG-fuelled passengers' own equipment)?
- Stop immediately, ventilate the vehicle, evacuate all passengers, call 999, do not use electrical switches (possible spark), and keep passengers upwind of the vehicle (Correct answer)
- Continue driving — gas disperses in moving air
- Locate and close the cylinder valve while passengers remain on board
- Only evacuate if a passenger reports feeling unwell
Correct answer: Stop immediately, ventilate the vehicle, evacuate all passengers, call 999, do not use electrical switches (possible spark), and keep passengers upwind of the vehicle
Gas leaks are extremely dangerous — LPG is heavier than air and will accumulate. Evacuate immediately, ventilate, and do not operate electrical switches (which could spark an ignition). Call 999 and keep passengers upwind. Do not attempt to handle the cylinder without specialist training.
PCV Emergency Procedures on Coaches 3
What must a PCV driver do after any road traffic accident involving the vehicle?