Accidents, breakdowns and emergency vehicles
If you know what to do in an accident or a breakdown, you can save lives and avoid new accidents.
If you have been involved in an accident
- Stay at the scene and help the injured as far as you can.
- Give your name and address if anyone involved in the accident asks for it.
- If property has been damaged and no owner is present, you must inform the owner or the police as soon as possible.
- If someone has been injured, and the injury is not minor, you must inform the police as soon as possible.
Source: Trafikförordningen 2 kap. 8 § · Legal text (Swedish): Road Traffic Ordinance (1998:1276) (opens in a new tab)
Should the vehicles be moved?
If a vehicle is standing so that it is dangerous or obstructs traffic, it must be moved immediately. If someone has died or been seriously injured, the vehicle may only be moved if it is a danger to traffic. Traces needed for the investigation must not be destroyed.
Source: Trafikförordningen 2 kap. 8 § · Legal text (Swedish): Road Traffic Ordinance (1998:1276) (opens in a new tab)
Breakdown and warning triangle
If the car comes to a stop in a place where you may not stop, it must be moved as soon as possible. If it is on the carriageway or hard shoulder where the speed limit is higher than 50 km/h, you must put out the warning triangle so that other drivers are warned in good time.
Source: Trafikförordningen 3 kap. 51 och 57 §§ · Legal text (Swedish): Road Traffic Ordinance (1998:1276) (opens in a new tab)
Emergency vehicles
When an emergency vehicle is driving with blue lights and siren, you must clear the way and stop if necessary.
Source: Trafikförordningen 2 kap. 5 § · Legal text (Swedish): Road Traffic Ordinance (1998:1276) (opens in a new tab)
Leaving the scene
Anyone who leaves the scene of an accident without helping or giving their name and address can be sentenced to a fine or imprisonment for up to six months, and for an aggravated offence imprisonment for up to one year.
Source: Lag (1951:649) om straff för vissa trafikbrott 5 § · Legal text (Swedish): Act (1951:649) on Penalties for Certain Traffic Offences (opens in a new tab)