Collisions, crash reports and first aid

Key points

1. To avoid a crash you can brake, steer or speed up.

   Source: Handbook p. 9-1

   “You have three ways to avoid a crash or reduce its impact; braking, steering, or speeding up.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 9-1

2. With ABS, press the brake pedal as hard as you can and keep applying pressure.

   Source: Handbook p. 9-1

   “Press on the brake pedal as hard as you can and keep applying pressure.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 9-1

3. If you are involved in a crash, stop at once, help any injured people and send for an ambulance if needed.

   Source: Handbook p. 9-3

   “Stop your car at once and render all possible aid to any injured people and send for an ambulance if needed.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 9-3

4. Stay at the scene until police arrive and have questioned everyone.

   Source: Handbook p. 9-3

   “Stay at the scene until the police arrive and have questioned everyone involved.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 9-3

5. Report any crash with injuries or $2,000 or more in damage to the police or sheriff.

   Source: Handbook p. 9-3

   “If the accident involves any injuries, or property damage of $2,000 or more, the drivers must report it to the police or local sheriff.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 9-3

6. If you hit a dog, cat or livestock, take reasonable steps to notify the owner or local authorities.

   Source: Handbook p. 9-3

   “must “take reasonable steps” to notify the owner, or if the owner cannot be located, local law enforcement or animal control.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 9-3

7. If you must move a victim, keep the back and neck as straight as possible.

   Source: Handbook p. 9-4

   “If you must move the victim, keep the back and neck as straight as possible”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 9-4

8. Do not give an injured person anything to drink, not even water.

   Source: Handbook p. 9-4

   “Do not give an injured person anything to drink, not even water.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 9-4

9. If your car breaks down, put emergency flares 200 to 300 feet behind it.

   Source: Handbook p. 9-6

   “Put emergency flares 200 to 300 feet behind your vehicle.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 9-6

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Maine practice test

1. 1. What must a Maine driver do after hitting a dog, cat or livestock?

   1. Nothing, animal strikes are not reportable
   2. Move the animal off the road and leave
   3. Call 911 only if the car is damaged
   4. Take reasonable steps to notify the owner, or local law enforcement or animal control if the owner cannot be found
   Show answer

   Take reasonable steps to notify the owner, or local law enforcement or animal control if the owner cannot be found. Operators involved in non reportable accidents involving injury or death of a dog, a cat or livestock must take reasonable steps to notify the owner, or if the owner cannot be located, local law enforcement or animal control. The rule treats the animal as someone's property and gives it a chance at care. Crashes with people or heavy damage have separate reporting duties.

2. 2. If you must move an injured crash victim in Maine, how does the handbook say to do it?

   1. Lift by the arms and legs
   2. Carry the victim over your shoulder
   3. Roll the victim to the side of the road
   4. Keep the back and neck straight, put your arms under the victim, grab the clothing and pull headfirst away from danger
   Show answer

   Keep the back and neck straight, put your arms under the victim, grab the clothing and pull headfirst away from danger. Do not move an injured person unless you must. If you must move the victim, keep the back and neck as straight as possible by putting your arms under the victim, grabbing hold of their clothing and pulling the victim headfirst away from danger. Call for help first when possible, keep the person warm, and do not remove a helmet from a motorcyclist.

3. 3. After a Maine vehicle breaks down, how far behind it should emergency flares be placed?

   1. Twenty to thirty feet
   2. Two hundred to three hundred feet
   3. Fifty to one hundred feet
   4. Five hundred to six hundred feet
   Show answer

   Two hundred to three hundred feet. For a breakdown, Maine advises placing emergency flares 200 to 300 feet behind the vehicle. That distance gives approaching drivers time to change lanes or reduce speed. A short twenty or fifty foot placement may leave too little warning, while the larger figure is not the stated guidance. First get the vehicle away from traffic when possible, activate the flashers, and warn other roadway users.

Source: the Maine Driver's License Manual, Section 9: Avoiding Crashes. 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.