PCV Accident and Breakdown Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Your coach has broken down on a rural A-road at night. What equipment should you use to warn other road users?
- Headlights on full beam only
- Hazard warning lights and a warning triangle placed at least 45 metres behind the vehicle (Correct answer)
- Interior lights only
- Nothing, just wait for recovery
Correct answer: Hazard warning lights and a warning triangle placed at least 45 metres behind the vehicle
Hazard warning lights and a warning triangle at the correct distance alert approaching traffic to the obstruction.
When a PCV breaks down, switch on hazard warning lights and place a warning triangle at least 45 metres behind the vehicle. Never use a warning triangle on a motorway.
Question 2: Following a road traffic collision involving your bus, which of the following must you report to the police within 24 hours?
- Only collisions where someone is seriously injured
- Any collision involving injury to a person (Correct answer)
- Only collisions involving another vehicle
- Only collisions where your bus is damaged
Correct answer: Any collision involving injury to a person
Any road traffic collision involving personal injury must be reported to the police within 24 hours if not reported at the scene.
Under Section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, if a collision causes injury to any person, the driver must stop, provide their details, and report to the police within 24 hours if not exchanged at the scene.
Question 3: Your bus has been involved in a minor collision with no injuries. What information must you exchange with the other driver?
- Only your phone number
- Your name, address, insurance details, and vehicle registration number (Correct answer)
- Your operator's name only
- No information is required if there are no injuries
Correct answer: Your name, address, insurance details, and vehicle registration number
You must exchange your name, address, vehicle registration, and insurance details, regardless of whether injuries occurred.
The Road Traffic Act 1988 requires that following any collision, drivers must exchange: their name and address, the vehicle owner's name and address, the vehicle registration number, and insurance details.
Question 4: While driving your coach, the engine warning light comes on. There is no apparent loss of power. What should you do?
- Ignore it and continue to your destination
- Stop immediately in the road
- Reduce speed, find a safe place to stop, and investigate or call for assistance (Correct answer)
- Switch the engine off and on again while driving
Correct answer: Reduce speed, find a safe place to stop, and investigate or call for assistance
An engine warning light indicates a potential fault. You should reduce speed and stop safely to investigate.
Engine warning lights indicate a fault detected by the engine management system. Reduce speed, find a safe stopping place, and contact your depot for guidance.
Question 5: What should be in the first aid kit carried on a PCV with more than 16 passengers?
- Only plasters and bandages
- Items specified in the Road Vehicles regulations including dressings, bandages, and safety pins (Correct answer)
- Whatever the driver chooses to carry
- A defibrillator and oxygen mask
Correct answer: Items specified in the Road Vehicles regulations including dressings, bandages, and safety pins
The contents of PCV first aid kits are specified by regulations and must include specific items such as dressings, bandages, safety pins, and guidance cards.
The Public Service Vehicles (Carrying Capacity) Regulations 1984 and associated guidance specify minimum first aid kit contents for PSVs carrying more than 16 passengers.
Question 6: Your bus tyre has a sudden blowout while driving at 50 mph. What is the correct immediate response?
- Brake hard immediately
- Hold the steering wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator, and bring the vehicle to a controlled stop (Correct answer)
- Accelerate briefly to stabilise the vehicle
- Turn the steering wheel sharply to the side with the blown tyre
Correct answer: Hold the steering wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator, and bring the vehicle to a controlled stop
Gripping the wheel firmly and gradually reducing speed allows you to maintain control and stop safely.
A tyre blowout causes sudden pull to one side. Grip the steering wheel firmly, do NOT brake suddenly, gradually ease off the accelerator, and carefully pull over to stop.
PCV Accident and Breakdown Procedures 2
Your coach has broken down on a rural A-road at night.
What equipment should you use to warn other road users?