What Should the Driver Do Immediately When the Vehicle Rolls Over?
3 Answers
When a vehicle suddenly rolls over, the driver should firmly grip the steering wheel with both hands, hook their feet onto the pedals, and press their back tightly against the seat backrest to stabilize their body and avoid injuries from being thrown around inside the vehicle. Additionally, attention should be paid to preventing injuries from being crushed due to the deformation of the vehicle body. Below are the reasons that can cause a vehicle to roll over: 1. Improper speed control can easily lead to a rollover: Regardless of the type of vehicle, due to factors such as improper driving, the vehicle may roll over under certain circumstances. Generally, vehicles with a higher center of gravity are more prone to rolling over. Analysis shows that most rollover accidents are caused by improper driver actions, such as overcorrecting the steering direction at high speeds, leading to the vehicle skidding and rolling over. 2. Poor weather conditions combined with improper driving can also cause a vehicle to roll over: For example, during rain or snow, the presence of water or snow on the road reduces the friction coefficient between the vehicle's tires and the road surface, making it easier for the vehicle to skid and roll over during rapid braking. 3. When turning at a curve, drivers should follow the posted speed limits: For instance, if a curve is clearly marked with a speed limit of 40 km/h, but some drivers take the curve at 60 km/h, this can easily lead to a rollover accident. 4. Tire detachment can cause a rollover: During driving, due to factors such as component wear, tires may experience spiral fractures or loosening of threads, causing the tire to wobble and eventually detach while the vehicle is in motion. In such cases, the vehicle may either tilt to the side of the road or, in severe cases, roll over completely.
When the vehicle rolls over, the most crucial thing is to stabilize yourself and avoid sudden movements. I experienced it once—when the car flipped into a ditch, I was completely stunned, but I immediately reminded myself not to panic. Grip the roof or steering wheel firmly with both hands to secure your body. Do not rush to unbuckle the seatbelt! Wait until the car comes to a complete stop before acting, or you might fall and get hurt worse. Then, quickly turn off the engine—removing the key is the safest move to prevent fuel leaks and fires. If the door is deformed and won’t open, kick the corners of the windshield or check for a window-breaking hammer inside the car. Once you climb out, run as fast as you can—get at least 100 meters away before calling for help. Remember, forget about anything in the car—your life is more important than anything else.
The first few minutes after a rollover are critical, and I've studied emergency procedures beforehand. Start by taking three deep breaths to suppress panic, curling your body to protect the back of your neck and head. If the car is still rolling, never unbuckle your seatbelt—hold onto a fixed object like on a roller coaster. Once the car stops, immediately check for injuries, and use clothing to apply firm pressure on any bleeding wounds. Then quickly test if the windows can open; if the driver's side fails, crawl toward the rear seats. If you smell gasoline, evacuate immediately and avoid touching lighters or similar items. After escaping, use your phone's flashlight to wave for help—it's especially visible at night. If you're unable to move, lie still to conserve energy and wait for paramedics to assist with extraction.
