What action should you take if you witness a HazMat incident aboard a vehicle you are driving?

• A. Stop if safe, maintain distance, disengage ignition if needed, evacuate passengers, and report to authorities
• B. Continue driving to a safe location
• C. Do not alert anyone
• D. Attempt to approach the spill to assess hazard

Answer: (A)

The action tested is about protecting lives and preventing the hazard from getting worse. If you witness a HazMat incident in a vehicle you’re driving, you should stop if you can safely do so, create distance between yourself and the spill, and, if it’s safe, turn off the engine to remove ignition sources. Evacuate anyone with you to a safe location and then report the incident to authorities so trained responders can take control, contain the material, and protect others.

Continuing to drive forward would risk driving into a contaminated area or spreading the material. Not alerting anyone leaves people and responders unaware of the danger. Approaching the spill to assess it is dangerous because you don’t know what the substance is, its toxicity, flammability, or reactivity, and you don’t have proper PPE or training. Prioritize getting people away from danger and getting professional help on the scene.