Accidents involving vulnerable road users
Special procedures and considerations for accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists.
Who are vulnerable road users?
Vulnerable road users are everyone who travels in traffic without the protection of a vehicle: pedestrians, cyclists, scooter riders, children, and the elderly. They are especially at risk because they lack the protection that seat belts and airbags provide to car drivers.
Specific dangers in accidents involving vulnerable road users
| Factor | Why it is serious |
|---|---|
| No external protection | Even low speed can cause serious injuries |
| Head injuries | Very common, especially for cyclists without helmets |
| Internal injuries | Can be hidden — observe carefully for shock |
| Children | Unpredictable, shorter, and harder to see |
Procedure in case of a collision
- Secure the scene — hazard lights, warning triangle
- Do not move the injured person unless there is a life threat — always suspect neck injury
- Call 113 — provide the number of injured and their condition, see emergency procedure
- Provide first aid — stop bleeding, keep the person warm
- Observe for shock — pale skin, rapid pulse, confusion
Especially about pedestrians
- At crosswalks , pedestrians have right of way only under certain conditions — the driver bears the greater responsibility
- Children at crosswalks require extra vigilance and adjusted speed
- Pedestrians hit by a car almost always suffer serious injuries even at moderate speed
Especially about cyclists
- Cyclists can have head injuries even with a helmet
- Never remove the helmet unless the person is not breathing and you need to start CPR
- Make sure the bicycle does not block the road for other road users
- Be aware that cyclists can be thrown far from the collision site
Prevention
- Maintain adjusted speed in areas with vulnerable road users
- Be extra alert near schools, residential areas, and crosswalks
- Check blind spots carefully when turning
Typical traps on the theory test
- Thinking you should always move an injured pedestrian out of the road — do not move if neck injury is suspected
- Underestimating the severity of injuries at low speed
- Forgetting that children and the elderly are especially unpredictable
Further reading
- Complete overview of first aid in traffic accidents
- Learn about crosswalks and pedestrians and right of way
- Read about shock and symptoms to monitor
- Understand risk assessment and driving conditions
- See the rules for securing the accident scene
Read next
More in Class B course
Accidents, reporting and first aid
Checklist for safe handling of accidents and proper notification.
Adapted speed and hidden danger
What adjusted speed means in practice, and how you anticipate hazards you cannot see.
Age limits and practice driving
Everything about age limits for class B and what is required for private practice driving with a companion.
Aggression and anger in traffic
Aggressive driving increases the risk for everyone. This is how you recognize anger behind the wheel and handle the situation safely.