A road accident can happen in seconds. Even a minor collision can leave drivers shaken and unsure what to do first. In that moment, focus on three priorities: protect people from further harm, get help if anyone may be injured and follow the steps required to document and report the accident.
This guide is for drivers in Singapore. The right response can depend on the location and severity of the accident, so always follow instructions from emergency responders, the police, LTA officers and your insurer.
1. Stop and switch on your hazard lights
Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. Do not drive away just because the impact seems minor or the other vehicle appears undamaged. Singapore’s Highway Code says drivers involved in an accident should stop, render assistance and exchange particulars.
Switch on your hazard lights to warn approaching traffic. If you are on a road where stopping creates an immediate danger, use your judgement to move the vehicle only as far as necessary to reach a safer place. On an expressway, move to the road shoulder if you can do so safely. If your vehicle cannot be moved or getting out would be dangerous, stay inside and call for assistance. LTA advises drivers to remain aware of oncoming traffic and not attempt repairs on an expressway.
If you are in a tunnel, follow the signs and announcements. If there is an injury, LTA says to call 995 or 999. If you need roadside assistance, use a nearby emergency SOS phone or contact LTA. In some tunnel emergencies, people may be directed to leave using an escape staircase. Follow instructions from the response teams.
2. Check for injuries and call for help
Check whether anyone is injured, including passengers, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. Do not assume someone is fine because they are standing or say they feel all right. A collision can cause injuries that are not immediately obvious.
Call 995 for a medical emergency, such as major trauma, heavy bleeding, loss of consciousness or breathing difficulty. Call 999 for police assistance in an emergency. If you are unsure what to do, tell the operator where the accident happened, how many people may be injured and what you can see. SCDF operates a 24-hour emergency medical service and advises the public to call 995 for emergencies.
Do not move an injured person unless they are in immediate danger, such as from fire or traffic. Unnecessary movement could worsen an injury. If you can safely do so, keep the person calm and wait for trained responders. At an expressway accident, LTA response crews, Traffic Police and SCDF may be dispatched, particularly where injuries are involved.
If there is a fire, smoke, a fuel leak or another immediate hazard, move to a safe location and call for emergency assistance. Do not put yourself in danger trying to inspect or repair a damaged vehicle.
3. Keep yourself and others out of danger
After the initial checks, think about the risk from passing traffic. A vehicle stopped in a live lane can cause another collision, especially on an expressway or at night. If it is safe, move away from traffic and wait in a protected area. On expressways, LTA advises staying behind the impact guardrail when possible and keeping clear of oncoming vehicles. If it is unsafe to leave your vehicle, stay inside and call for help.
Do not stand between vehicles, in front of a car facing traffic or in another exposed spot while exchanging details. Keep children and passengers away from the road. Avoid arguing with the other driver at the scene. A calm exchange makes it easier to record accurate information and avoid making a difficult situation worse.
If you are approaching an accident as another road user, slow down, pay attention to police or LTA directions and do not stop to take photographs. Follow lane-use signs in tunnels and keep clear of lanes marked with a red cross.
4. Take photographs when it is safe
If there are no injuries requiring immediate care and it is safe to do so, take photographs before moving the vehicles. Images can help record the scene and the damage. The General Insurance Association of Singapore (GIA) recommends photographing the accident scene and the damage to all vehicles involved.
Useful photographs may include:
- The positions of the vehicles and their registration numbers
- Damage to each vehicle
- The wider scene, including road markings, junctions and traffic signs
- Any visible debris or damage to public property
Take photographs only from a safe place. Do not walk into traffic or delay emergency care to collect evidence. If the accident involves an injury or fatality, GIA advises not to move the injured person or vehicles. Follow police instructions about preserving the scene.
Where an accident creates a hazard or blocks traffic, safety may require the vehicles to be moved. If you must move a vehicle to prevent further danger, note its position first if it is safe to do so, and follow any directions from police or LTA personnel.
5. Exchange particulars
Exchange details with the other driver once it is safe. GIA’s Motor Claims Framework calls for drivers to exchange particulars and note the vehicle numbers. This applies even if you believe the damage is minor or the other driver suggests settling privately.
Record the other driver’s name, contact details, identification details, vehicle registration number and insurer, where available. You should also provide your own particulars. If the other driver is uncooperative, note the registration number and give that information to your insurer and the police, if a police report is required. GIA says that when another motorist refuses to provide details, you should still record the vehicle registration number.
If there are witnesses, ask for their contact details if they are willing to provide them. Keep the conversation factual. Avoid admitting fault or making promises about payment at the scene. The cause of an accident may not be clear in the first few minutes, and insurers will assess liability based on the information available.
6. Report the accident to your insurer
Under the Motor Claims Framework, drivers should report accidents to their insurer within 24 hours or by the next working day. GIA says this applies even if you do not intend to make a claim and even if the parties are considering a private settlement.
Call your insurer’s hotline for guidance on towing, reporting and where to send the vehicle. GIA recommends contacting the insurer and reporting the accident within the required timeframe. Failing to report may affect an insurance claim or policy renewal terms, including the insurer’s position on liability or your no-claims discount. The effect depends on the policy and circumstances.
A police report does not replace a report to your insurer. GIA specifically says drivers must still report the accident to their insurer after filing a Traffic Police report.
Be careful about accepting help from an unauthorised tow-truck operator or signing documents you do not understand. GIA advises motorists to use their insurer’s hotline for towing guidance and cautions against dealing with unauthorised operators or sending a damaged vehicle to an unauthorised repair workshop.
7. Know when a Traffic Police report is required
A Traffic Police report must be lodged for accidents involving a fatality; injuries where someone is taken to hospital from the scene by ambulance or obtains at least three days of outpatient medical leave; damage to government property; a foreign-registered vehicle; a pedestrian or cyclist; or a hit-and-run. For other accidents, SPF says drivers should exchange particulars and report the matter to their insurers under the Motor Claims Framework.
SPF says the report can be submitted online through its e-services or at a police station. Information requested may include the date, time and location, details of the parties and witnesses, vehicle positions and damage, registration numbers and a brief description of what happened.
If you are involved in an accident that falls into a reportable category, make the police report as soon as possible and within the applicable timeframe. If you are unsure whether the circumstances require a report, contact the police or your insurer promptly and check the latest official instructions.
8. Do not rely on a private settlement alone
The other driver may offer to pay for repairs directly, or both parties may agree that the damage is small. Even if you reach a private settlement, GIA says each party must still report the accident to their insurer for recording purposes. A private agreement does not replace the Motor Claims Framework reporting process.
This matters because damage may turn out to be more extensive than it first appeared, or another party may make a claim later. Reporting creates a record and gives the insurer a chance to explain the next steps. Keep copies of messages, photographs, receipts and any written agreement, but do not sign documents under pressure.
9. Get medical attention if symptoms appear later
Some people feel shaken immediately after a collision and do not notice discomfort until later. If you develop pain, dizziness, numbness, headache or another concerning symptom, seek appropriate medical attention. Keep records of medical visits and expenses related to the accident.
If an injury becomes apparent, inform your insurer and check whether a Traffic Police report is required. SPF’s reporting criteria include certain injuries identified after the accident, such as a person obtaining at least three days of outpatient medical leave.
10. Keep a clear record
After leaving the scene, write down what you remember while the details are fresh: the time, location, direction of travel, weather, traffic conditions and what happened before and after the collision. Save photographs, dashcam footage, repair estimates, medical documents and communications with the other driver, police and insurer.
Do not edit or delete relevant footage or messages. If you need to provide a statement, be accurate and do not guess about details you cannot remember. If you are unsure about an insurance or legal issue, contact your insurer or consult a qualified Singapore lawyer.
A simple order to remember
When an accident happens, work through the priorities in order:
- Stop and switch on your hazard lights.
- Check for injuries and call 995 or 999 if needed.
- Move to a safe place and keep others away from traffic.
- Photograph the scene if it is safe and appropriate.
- Exchange particulars and note witness details.
- Report the accident to your insurer within 24 hours or by the next working day.
- Make a Traffic Police report if the accident meets the reporting criteria.
The first few minutes can be stressful, but a steady response helps protect people, preserve useful information and meet your reporting obligations. Safety comes first. Once everyone is safe, record what happened and contact the appropriate authorities and insurer without delay.