Exchanging information after an accident

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Sat 17 Apr 2004 12:03
Exchanging information after an accident - pete&hisgolf
Something I keep meaning to ask.....

If you have an accident, what information are you legally obliged to exchange with the other driver? I'm wary about handing out my home address and phone number. I haven't (touch wood) had an accident but I want to know the legal situation in case it ever happens. I already carry a disposable camera in the car.

Thanks

Pete
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Sat 17 Apr 2004 15:46
Exchanging information after an accident - Dwight Van Driver
Go to

www.tinyurl.com/bu37

scroll down to Section 170 Road Traffic Act 1988 for your legal obligations. You have to give name and address as driver - refusing to to do so but reporting later does not negate the offence of failing to give.

Note also that the section mentions road. Public Place was added by a later enactment.

DVD
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Sat 17 Apr 2004 22:16
Exchanging information after an accident - Ivor E Tower
ISTR that you have to provide basic insurance details now too - probably not the policy number, but the name (and address?) of your insurers.
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Sun 18 Apr 2004 00:23
Exchanging information after an accident - HF
So what happens if you are the honest one, and give your details, but the other party either refuses or gives false details?

And what if, knowing your name and address, they then come a-calling?

Is there a protection for law-abiding citizens here?
HF
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Sun 18 Apr 2004 08:56
Exchanging information after an accident - Ian (Cape Town)
Get all the relevant info together - license number, insurance co details, your name and number (I'd use business address), owner-of-car's details (if it ain't yours). Print a few out, and keep in glovebox.
As far as HIS stuff is concerned, take down all the rlevants (above), check the tax disc etc to ensure that the numbers there tally with the plates, when taking pics see if you can get a 'snap' of him...
Ask to see his license, and take the details on that.
And you poms say that national identity cards are a breach of liberties?
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Sun 18 Apr 2004 11:29
Exchanging information after an accident - rustbucket
>>And you poms say that national identity cards are a breach of liberties?

no only the ones that have something to hide or are up to no good.

rustbucket (the original)
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Sun 18 Apr 2004 11:16
Exchanging information after an accident - Oz
I see HF's concerns. Especially as happens these days, 'accidents' can be deliberate, with some nefarious ulterior motive.
Oz (as was)
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Sun 18 Apr 2004 11:34
Exchanging information after an accident - pete&hisgolf
Yes - I share HF's concerns. I didn't know what the law was (and thanks to DVD for explaining) but now I'm wondering if I would prefer to face a minor penalty than give my home address to someone I didn't like the look of. Question is, would it actually be a minor penalty? And would one be able to avoid it by giving the reason I mentioned above?
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Sun 18 Apr 2004 12:36
Exchanging information after an accident - Dalglish
Yes - I share HF's concerns. I didn't know what
the law was (and thanks to DVD for explaining) but now
I'm wondering if I would prefer to face a minor penalty
than give my home address to someone I didn't like the
look of. Question is, would it actually be a minor
penalty? And would one be able to avoid it by
giving the reason I mentioned above?


official police advice used to be:

" Car jackers may drive gently into the back of your car while you're sitting at a junction orat lights, naturally you get out of the car and remonstrate with the driver who walksstraight past you, into your car. If you?ve left the engine running, they?re off and away.Thieves know that you are unlikely to drive away from the scene because then you'dhave to pay for the damage yourself, plus leaving the scene of an accident is an offence. Scotland Yard advises you to stay locked in the car and ring the police. If you're really worried you should drive to the nearest police station, as long as you drive straight there it will not be construed as leaving the scene. "

one backroomer posted a thread a few weeks ago where he called out police by dialling 999 for a minor non-injury accident. the police actually turned up.
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Sun 18 Apr 2004 14:52
Exchanging information after an accident - Altea Ego
With the company car they get my mobile number, my work e-mail address, the address of the leasing company and NOTHING else. Legal or not thats ALL they get.
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