Section 52 RTA

Section 52 of the Road Transport Act 1987 is the provision requiring a driver involved in an accident causing injury, death or damage to report it to the police as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any event within twenty-four hours.

Failing to do so without a lawful excuse is itself an offence, though a late report does not automatically destroy an otherwise valid claim.^[1] This obligation sits at the start of reporting an accident to the police.

Keeping a simple note of the time and reason for any delay can help later if the timing is ever questioned.

The obligation to report falls on the driver involved, though an injured passenger or a witness can also make their own report if the driver does not.