On May 9, the state of alarm ends and there are many uncertainties that accompany this new paradigm. Are we going to be able to travel and cross communities? Is the night curfew maintained? Will I be able to move freely? The CCAA rush the last days of this exceptional situation to specify their own measures, almost all framed in a less restrictive climate . The heat also comes, and with it increases the number of trips by road and, therefore, the risk of accidents on public roads. For this reason, we invite you to investigate PAS behavior, a series of steps that will help us intervene in case of being witnesses or suffering a traffic accident .
This behavior is taught in the driving school, but many of us go through the protocol of the license without stepping on a class. That would be the first mistake. In this article we talk about the tricks to approve the driving license the first time , which implies taking the classes seriously and having the necessary patience to know when we are really ready. If we dedicate ourselves to passing tests we will not know things that will change our perception behind the wheel. For example, the Red Cross has calculated that the majority of deaths after an impact occur in the first five minutes , so correct care can save lives. This organization also highlights the importance of PAS behavior to avoid that, while we help, we are the ones who suffer a mishap.
What is PAS behavior?
With the good weather the traffic on the roads increases considerably. For this reason, accidents are concentrated in holiday periods , the more car the more likely to be involved in a scare at the wheel. The number of deaths has been falling for years, largely due to regulations, which were recently renewed, but also due to the safety of vehicles and the state of infrastructures. However, the goal of zero casualties is far from being achieved. Something in which knowledge of PAS behavior can be key.
The acronym PAS respond to the words “protect, alert and help” , three actions that we must carry out in case of witnessing or suffering an accident or breakdown. The most important thing is to follow the order when doing it, so as not to put ourselves or other road users at risk with all good intentions.
First we must protect ourselves and the rest of the occupants, in case of carrying, our own vehicle. That means finding a suitable place to stop, turning on the hazard lights and proceeding to signal the area in question. For this, the fewer people the better, with the corresponding reflective vest , to place the emergency triangles according to traffic regulations. The theory indicates that: “it should be placed perpendicular to the direction of the road. 50 meters away from the car and visible from at least 100 meters ”. To calculate 50 meters we can use the rule of 50 long strides or 70 at a normal pace .
Now it’s time to act
Once we, and the rest of the convoy affected by the accident, are protected, we must alert 112 with the maximum possible precision . We must make this call knowing more about the specific situation, so that we can report the real urgency and that health workers can act in the most appropriate way. What’s more, over the phone they will be able to give us some indications that may be key for the victims.
The newest cars must equip, as standard, the emergency call or eCall, a mandatory system for a couple of years. In the vehicle they usually place this button in the roof area between the driver and the passenger , just before the rear-view mirror, so that we will contact a switchboard automatically without the need for telephones. A valid resource for us, but also to warn of accidents or breakdowns of others.
The word help may sound shocking but we can all be part of the solution, without causing further damage. Not all of us have the basic notions to perform first aid , but we can internalize some necessary points to evaluate the people involved in the accident. The most important thing is not to move them and, in case of being a motorcyclist, not to remove the helmet to avoid injuries to the head or neck. In case of detecting a hemorrhage, we will put pressure on it to try to cut it, either with clothes or our own hands.
