Quick clearance after a crash — Arizona Permit Test

After a crash with no serious physical injury or death, vehicles that can be moved safely must be removed from the main traveled part of the roadway.

A wreck left in a travel lane gets hit again. Clearing it keeps a small crash from turning into a big one.

In the event of a crash, 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.

Any licensed driver may move a crashed vehicle out of the travel lanes, as long as it is safely operable and moving it does not cause more damage or hazards.

Waiting for a tow truck to move a car that can still drive keeps everyone on the road in danger longer.

Any licensed driver may move the vehicle as long as the vehicle is safely operable (does not require towing and can be operated under its own power) and the movement does not cause further damage to the vehicles or increase traffic hazards.

A person who moves a vehicle out of the main travel lanes before police arrive is not held at fault for the crash just because the vehicle was moved.

Drivers used to leave wrecks in the road for fear of looking guilty. The law takes that fear away.

Any person who removes a motor vehicle from the main traveled portion of the roadway prior to the arrival of law enforcement personnel shall not be held liable or at fault for the crash based solely on the fact the vehicle was moved.

Moving a vehicle out of travel lanes after a minor crash keeps lanes clear and reduces the chance of a secondary crash.

Traffic slowing to look at a wreck often causes a second crash behind it. Clear lanes keep traffic moving.

Moving your vehicle to the emergency shoulder, median or exiting the highway also provides a safer environment for first responders and keeps travel lanes clear for other vehicles, reducing the chance of a secondary crash.

After a crash, once you and your passengers are OK, move an operable vehicle to the emergency shoulder or median or exit the highway, then call 911.

Checking people first matters most. Then getting out of the lanes before calling keeps you from being hit while you talk.

Then, if your vehicle is operable, move to the emergency shoulder, median or exit the highway and call 911.

After a crash with no serious injury, what must happen to the vehicles involved?

Be moved out of the main travel lanes. A wreck left in a travel lane gets hit again. Clearing it keeps a small crash from turning into a big one. Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, p.71: “In the event of a crash, 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.”