🚨 If Police Arrive at Your Car Crash and Ask "What Happened?" — Say THIS (Even If It Wasn't You)

📘 Get Know Your Rights here: https://knowrightsuk.gumroad.com/l/know-your-rights A van pulls out at a junction. Glass on the road, hazards on, and you know it wasn't your fault. Ten minutes later the officer walks over, notebook out: "Right. Just tell me what happened." And because you're honest and shaken, you apologise. At a crash the rules quietly change in the officer's favour, and the driver in the most danger is often the one who is sure it wasn't their fault, because they're the one who talks. Here is what we cover: What you must do: Road Traffic Act 1988 s.170. Stop, give your name and address, the owner's and the registration; report it as soon as reasonably practicable and in any case within 24 hours if you didn't; insurance within 7 days if anyone is injured (AC10/AC20: 5–10 points); the Highway Code on scene safety Thing one: a breath test with no suspicion needed after an accident (s.6(5)). Take it; refusing is 4 points and an arrest Thing two: no uniform needed for that test (s.6(7) covers only (2)–(4)) Thing three: if someone was injured, an officer can enter any place, using reasonable force, to require it (s.6E) Thing four: no 14-day warning. RTOA 1988 s.2(1) switches off the notice of intended prosecution after an accident "Just tell me what happened": what the law requires of you, and the caution (PACE Code C 10.5) What the other driver is saying: collect facts, not feelings The held one: careless driving (s.3), 3–9 points and an unlimited fine. Why "I didn't see him" is the evidence, why the Compensation Act's apology rule is civil only, and what your insurer's policy says about admitting liability Say this, played out Everything here is tied to real sources: legislation.gov.uk (Road Traffic Act 1988, Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988, Compensation Act 2006), gov.uk (endorsement codes, the Highway Code, PACE Code C 2023), the Sentencing Council careless driving guideline, and Direct Line's published policy booklet. Checked October 2026. One honest note. You still give your account, later, calmly and ideally with advice, because the caution says it may harm your defence if you leave out something you later rely on. Stop, give every detail you must, take the breath test, never leave the scene and never lie. FREE HELP FIRST. If a crash becomes an arrest or an interview under caution, ask for the duty solicitor. It is free, at any hour. 📘 Get the full handbook on stops, the caution and what to say: https://knowrightsuk.gumroad.com/l/know-your-rights England and Wales — Scotland is a separate legal system. General information about published law, not advice about your situation. Comply with any lawful requirement, never lie, and never resist. Ever been in a crash where the police came? Type the county, nothing else. #policeuk #knowyourrights #caraccident #ukdrivers #roadtraffic