3.7Vehicles causing a hazard#

Vehicles stopped on a road can pose a serious hazard to other motorists as well as the occupants of the stopped vehicles.

Generally, vehicles causing a hazard are categorised as crash, stationary and abandoned. The approach to each will vary depending on whether or not the motorist is present.

Once it has been determined that a vehicle is a hazard, generally it is moved as soon as practically possible in line with hazard prioritisation.

3.7.1Crashed vehicles#

3.7.1.1Police attendance at crash#

Extract for drivers from the QPS website:

As of 1 January 2015, a police officer is required to attend the scene of a crash only when one of the 'police attendance criteria' is met.

Police also have the discretion to attend and investigate traffic crashes in which there exists a compelling public interest to do so – for example, crashes involving dangerous operation of a motor vehicle or where there is significant damage caused to public infrastructure.

'Police attendance criteria'#

You must stop at the scene and call 000 (triple zero) if there is an emergency or any of the following 'police attendance criteria' are met –

1. 1.death or injury (requiring medical attention from a qualified ambulance officer, nurse or doctor)
2. 2.a hazardous environment or threat to public safety, including traffic congestion (e.g. fuel spill, power lines down).

If police are required to attend the traffic crash, call 000 (triple zero) and request police. If the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES) or the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) is also required, please telephone 000 (triple zero) immediately.

You must stop at the scene and call Policelink on 131 444 if any of the following 'police attendance criteria' are met –

1. 1.suspected involvement of drugs and/or alcohol
2. 2.a driver fails or has failed or is refusing to provide required details
3. 3.a driver with an impairment or disability requires police assistance.

Otherwise exchange information with other persons involved in the traffic crash, arrange for movement of the vehicles involved in the crash (if safe to do so), and where required, report the crash to the Queensland Police Service within 24 hours.

This does not include if you have returned to your unattended vehicle and very minor damage has been caused by an unknown vehicle and the other driver has already left the scene without exchanging details. In this instance, you must report the matter to a police station.

Queensland Police Service provides a comprehensive traffic crash frequently asked questions (FAQs) at their website, where a What to do in a crash quick reference guide can also be downloaded.

3.7.1.2Minor motor vehicle crash#

In minor crashes, it may not be necessary for motorists to remain at the incident scene. Minor motor vehicle crashes are crashes where: nobody is injured, none of the vehicles involved require towing, no alcohol, drugs or any other illegal activity is suspected, and driver particulars have been shared.

In these instances, TIMS personnel may encourage motorists to move their vehicles from the road.

3.7.1.3Serious motor vehicle crash#

A vehicle may not be cleared from the roadway without Police approval when there is evidence of a serious motor vehicle crash. Refer to Section 3.7.1.1 Police attendance at crash for more detail.

3.7.2Stationary / abandoned hazardous vehicles where a motorist is not present#

If it is not possible to locate a motorist associated with a hazardous vehicle; once the vehicle has been determined not to be of Police interest, it should be cleared in line with regional clearance priorities. In these situations, the vehicle will typically be towed in line with regional procedures.

There is no set timeframe for when a vehicle is deemed abandoned. Each region should determine an appropriate timeframe.

3.7.3Stationary hazardous vehicles where a motorist is present#

Vehicles in hazardous positions may have a motorist present. This is common where a vehicle has broken down or been involved in an incident. In these situations, the TIMS officer will need to approach and interact with the motorist.

3.7.4Towing arrangements#

The following provisions apply to towing for vehicle breakdowns, not to vehicles that have been involved in crashes.

• For motorists with some form of vehicle breakdown membership (for example, RACQ), inform the TMC / regional office which can, if required, call the agency on behalf of the member.
• For non-members, on some roads in south-east Queensland, Transport and Main Roads has a Stationary Vehicle Management contract for the towing to safety of vehicles not involved in a crash (generally the nearest service station). Where tow-to-safety services are offered, all actions should be performed in line with regional procedures. This is coordinated through the TMC / regional office.
• If a motorist is unable or unwilling to move the vehicle off the road or arrange for a tow (for example, if the motorist does not have funds available or the tow companies refuse to tow), contact the Police or delegated officer who may then direct the removal of the vehicle.

3.7.4.1Tow trucks and towing companies#

A good relationship between TIMS personnel and towing companies / operators can greatly assist activities at an incident site. It is important to be mindful that towing companies are generally competing for the tow of accident and breakdown vehicles and there are therefore strict limitations governing relationships to ensure impartiality and ethical behaviour.

TIMS personnel should: refer the call-out of tow companies to the TMC, regional office or Police tow register (dependant on local procedures), never accept gifts (for example, spotter's fees / bribes) and report any offer to their supervisor as soon as possible, stay out of any discussions between the towing operator and the customer, no matter how much you may wish to intervene, be aware that a towing contractor is legally required to clean up car smash debris; however, TIMS personnel have no authority to enforce this and must never direct a towing operator to do so, report any unlawful actions of other services at the scene to the Police.

TIMS personnel should not: accept gifts (for example, spotter's fees / bribes) and report any offer to their supervisor as soon as possible, recommend or suggest any particular towing operator to any member of the public, 'authorise' the movement or removal of a stationary vehicle, irrespective of the driver being present or not, argue with a towing operator or direct them to do anything (TIMS personnel have no legal authority), offer advice as to the 'best way' to salvage an accident vehicle from an awkward crash position, call for extra resources to clear car smash debris.