Crashes, wrong way drivers and traffic stops

Key points

1. After a crash, remain at the scene, help anyone injured and exchange information with the other drivers.

   Source: Handbook p. 71

   “If you are involved in a crash, you are to remain at the scene to provide assistance to any person injured and to exchange information with the other drivers.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 71

2. If anyone is injured, you must immediately call the police.

   Source: Handbook p. 71

   “In case of injury, you are also required to immediately call the police.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 71

3. If there is no serious injury or death, move operable vehicles off the main traveled roadway.

   Source: Handbook p. 71

   “provided there has been no serious physical injury or fatality, the vehicles involved in the crash shall be removed from the main traveled portions of the roadway.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 71

4. Moving your vehicle before police arrive does not make you at fault for the crash.

   Source: Handbook p. 71

   “shall not be held liable or at fault for the crash based solely on the fact the vehicle was moved.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 71

5. Failing to stop at a crash with only vehicle damage brings a 1 year suspension.

   Source: Handbook p. 72

   “Suspended for 1 year if involving only damage to a vehicle.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 72

6. Failing to stop at a crash with injury, other than death or serious injury, brings a 3 year revocation.

   Source: Handbook p. 72

   “Revoked for 3 years if involving injury other than death or serious physical injury.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 72

7. If you meet a wrong way driver, get to a safe place, call 911 and report it.

   Source: Handbook p. 58

   “Get to a safe place, call 911 and report the wrong-way driver.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 58

8. Have a plan for a wrong way driver so you do not waste a moment taking evasive action.

   Source: Handbook p. 59

   “Have a plan in mind, so if you encounter a wrongway driver you will not waste a moment to take emergency evasive action that could save your life.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 59

9. In a traffic stop, stay in your vehicle unless the officer tells you to get out.

   Source: Handbook p. 73

   “Stay in your vehicle unless directed by the officer to exit.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 73

10. Signing a ticket is not an admission of guilt, but refusing to sign may lead to arrest.

    Source: Handbook p. 73

    “Your acceptance and signature on a traffic ticket is not an admission of guilt. However, the refusal to sign a traffic ticket may result in your arrest.”
    Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 73

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Arizona practice test

1. 1. After an Arizona crash with no serious injury or fatality, what must be done with the vehicles?

   1. Leave them exactly where they stopped until police arrive
   2. Push them onto the sidewalk
   3. Drive them home immediately
   4. Remove them from the main traveled portions of the roadway
   Show answer

   Remove them from the main traveled portions of the roadway. In the event of a crash, provided there has been no serious physical injury or fatality, the vehicles involved shall be removed from the main traveled portions of the roadway. Clearing the lanes prevents secondary crashes and lets traffic move. You must still remain at the scene, help anyone injured, and exchange information with the other drivers, and call for help if anyone needs it.

2. 2. What are an Arizona driver's duties at the scene of a crash?

   1. Remain at the scene, provide assistance to anyone injured, and exchange information with the other drivers
   2. Leave to find a phone
   3. Wait in the car with the doors locked
   4. Move the vehicles and go home
   Show answer

   Remain at the scene, provide assistance to anyone injured, and exchange information with the other drivers. If you are involved in a crash, you are to remain at the scene to provide assistance to any person injured and to exchange information with the other drivers. The first action is to make sure you and your occupants are okay. When no one is seriously hurt, move the vehicles out of the traveled lanes. Leaving the scene turns a crash into a crime.

3. 3. Why does the Arizona manual tell drivers to have a plan for meeting a wrong-way driver?

   1. So you will not waste a moment taking emergency evasive action that could save your life
   2. So you can report the plate number
   3. So you can flash your lights first
   4. So you can stop in the lane
   Show answer

   So you will not waste a moment taking emergency evasive action that could save your life. Have a plan in mind so that if you encounter a wrong way driver you will not waste a moment taking emergency evasive action that could save your life. Wrong way drivers are often impaired and appear at night in the left lane, so staying right on freeways and scanning far ahead gives you the most time. Move right, brake, and get off the road.

Source: the Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Section 6: Handling Emergencies. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.