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Traffic Accident: What to Do

A traffic accident is a stressful situation. The correct procedure can save lives and protect your rights. Section 47 of Act 361/2000 Coll. defines what a traffic accident is and what obligations the participants have.

Every driver should know what to do BEFORE an accident occurs, so they can act automatically in a crisis moment.

Explanation

WHEN TO CALL THE POLICE (Section 47, paragraph 4):

The police MUST be called when: 1. There is DEATH or INJURY to a person in the accident 2. The material damage exceeds 200,000 CZK (estimate) 3. There is damage to third-party property (curb, guardrail, fence...) 4. The participants disagree on fault 5. A participant is under the influence of alcohol or drugs 6. There is damage to the roadway

The police do NOT need to be called when:

Emergency call number: 112 (European emergency) or 158 (police)

PROCEDURE IN CASE OF ACCIDENT - step by step:

1. STOP and secure the accident scene:

2. PROVIDE FIRST AID:

3. SECURE THE SCENE:

4. DOCUMENT:

Example

Example - minor accident in a parking lot:

While parking, you scratch the adjacent car. No one is injured, the damage is minor (about 10,000 CZK).

1. Do not leave! (Leaving the scene of the accident = a criminal offense!) 2. Try to find the owner 3. If you cannot find them: leave a note with your contact information under the wiper 4. Take photos of the damage to both cars 5. Call the police or write a report when the owner contacts you 6. Report the accident to your insurance company

Example - serious accident on the road: 1. Hazard lights + vest + triangle 2. Call 112: 'Where - What - How many injured - What injuries' 3. First aid 4. Wait for the police, do not move anything

Common mistakes

Common Mistakes:

1. "The damage is minor, I don't need to deal with it" - YOU MUST! Even with minor damage, you must leave contact information or call the police.

2. "I can leave if no one was injured" - NO, unless you make a report! Leaving the scene of an accident without addressing it is an offense/crime.

3. "I'll place the triangle right behind the car" - NO! 50 m, 100 m on the highway.

4. "I'll put on the vest after I exit" - NO! You put on the vest INSIDE the car before opening the doors.

5. "The limit of 200,000 CZK is exact" - YOU ESTIMATE. If you are unsure, call the police.

Explanation

Road Traffic Rules accident or breakdown Rules for Emergency Stopping and Traffic Accidents These rules tell you what the driver must do to stay safe, secure the scene, and report the incident when required. I. Emergency Stopping (Vehicle Breakdown) Emergency stopping happens when you must stop because of: • a vehicle fault, • a problem with the load, • a traffic accident, • or sudden illness. A. Securing the Vehicle and the Place • Hazard lights If your vehicle has hazard lights, turn them on until the warning triangle is placed. • Reflective vest If you leave the vehicle on the road (except motorcycle/moped riders), you must wear a reflective vest. • Securing the vehicle If you leave the vehicle and cannot act immediately, you must prevent it from moving (e.g., use wheel chocks if the vehicle must have them). • Warning triangle If your vehicle becomes an obstacle, you must place a warning triangle clearly visible to approaching drivers. • Outside built-up areas: at least 50 m behind the vehicle • On a highway, motorway: at least 100 m behind the vehicle • In a town/village: distance may be shorter if needed Fault discovered while driving If you notice a fault during driving, you must stop and correct it. If that is not possible, you may drive slowly to the nearest safe place, making sure safety is not endangered. B. Special Rules in a Tunnel If your car breaks down or you crash inside a tunnel, you must: • Switch off the engine and independent heating. • Take steps to protect safety (you may stop other vehicles if needed). • Inform the police or tunnel control. • Not smoke or use open flames. • Ensure all passengers leave the vehicle and move to a safe area or leave the tunnel. II. Traffic Accidents – Driver Duties A traffic accident is an event that causes death, injury, or property damage connected to a moving vehicle. A. Duties of a Driver Involved in an Accident The driver must: • Stop immediately. • Not drink alcohol or take drugs after the accident until police check is done. • Prevent additional damage or danger if possible. • Cooperate in finding out what happened. B. Duties of All Participants All participants in the accident must: • Make the place safe (you may stop other vehicles if necessary). • Give first aid and call emergency services if someone is injured. • Mark the accident (e.g., using a warning triangle). • Help restore traffic flow, especially for public transport. • Exchange personal and vehicle information.

How to remember it

Practical Summary:

Traffic accident – step-by-step procedure:

1. TURN OFF the engine, turn on the hazard lights 2. Put on a reflective vest INSIDE the car (before you exit) 3. SECURE the accident scene – warning triangle: 50 m (100 m) 4. Check the condition of the injured – provide first aid 5. Call 112 (or 155 for ambulance, 150 for fire, 158 for police)

When YOU MUST call the police:

When you do NOT need to call the police:

NEVER drink alcohol after an accident – not even to calm down! The police may order you to take a breath test.

What the law says

(1) Dopravní nehoda je událost v provozu na pozemních komunikacích, například havárie nebo srážka, která se stala nebo byla započata na pozemní komunikaci a při níž dojde k usmrcení nebo zranění osoby nebo ke škodě na majetku v přímé souvislosti s provozem vozidla v pohybu.
Section 47 odst. 1 of Act No. 361/2000 Coll.
(2) Řidič, který měl účast na dopravní nehodě, je povinen a) neprodleně zastavit vozidlo, b) zdržet se požití alkoholického nápoje a užití jiné návykové látky po nehodě po dobu, do kdy by to bylo na újmu zjištění, zda před jízdou nebo během jízdy požil alkoholický nápoj nebo užil jinou návykovou látku, vždy však do doby příjezdu policisty v případě, že jsou účastníci nehody povinni ohlásit nehodu policistovi podle odstavců 4 a 5, c) učinit opatření k zabránění vzniku škody osobám nebo věcem, pokud tato hrozí v důsledku dopravní nehody, a d) spolupracovat při zjišťování skutkového stavu.
Section 47 odst. 2 of Act No. 361/2000 Coll.
(3) Účastníci dopravní nehody jsou povinni a) učinit vhodná opatření, aby nebyla ohrožena bezpečnost provozu na pozemních komunikacích v místě dopravní nehody; vyžadují-li to okolnosti, jsou oprávněni zastavovat jiná vozidla, b) oznámit, v případech stanovených tímto zákonem, nehodu policii; došlo-li k zranění, poskytnout podle svých schopností první pomoc a k zraněné osobě přivolat poskytovatele zdravotnické záchranné služby, c) označit místo dopravní nehody, d) umožnit obnovení provozu na pozemních komunikacích, zejména provozu vozidel hromadné dopravy osob, e) neprodleně ohlásit policii poškození pozemní komunikace, obecně prospěšného zařízení nebo životního prostředí, pokud k němu při dopravní nehodě došlo, f) prokázat si na požádání navzájem svou totožnost a sdělit údaje o vozidle, které mělo účast na dopravní nehodě, g) v případech, kdy nevznikne povinnost oznámit nehodu policii, sepsat a podepsat společný záznam o dopravní nehodě, který musí obsahovat určení místa, datum a čas dopravní nehody, její příčinu, průběh a následky, identifikační údaje jejích účastníků a vozidel a nákres nebo fotodokumentaci místa dopravní nehody; společný záznam o dopravní nehodě lze pořídit rovněž způsobem umožňujícím dálkový přístup prostřednictvím uživatelského rozhraní stanoveného Českou kanceláří pojistitelů.
Section 47 odst. 3 of Act No. 361/2000 Coll.

Verbatim text of Act No. 361/2000 Coll., on road traffic, as in force on 1 January 2026. Quoted in Czech — the Czech wording is the binding one.

← Risk: alcohol and fatigue

Check what you remember

Five questions from the official bank. The answer appears only after you choose — try to recall it first, that is what makes learning stick.

  1. Question 1 of 5

    The relevant municipal authority of a municipality with extended powers shall issue to the driving licence holder immediately after reporting damage to a driving licence:

  2. Question 2 of 5

    A certificate of notification of loss, theft, damage or destruction of a driving licence:

  3. Question 3 of 5

    A certificate of notification of loss, theft, damage or destruction of a driving licence:

  4. Question 4 of 5

    The relevant municipal authority of a municipality with extended powers shall issue to the driving licence holder immediately after reporting the destruction of a driving licence:

  5. Question 5 of 5

    The relevant municipal authority of a municipality with extended powers shall issue to the driving licence holder immediately after reporting the loss of a driving licence: