What is essential for a person to do if they create a hazard on a roadway?

Removing a hazard immediately is crucial for ensuring the safety of all road users. When an individual creates or notices a potential hazard on the roadway—such as debris, a broken-down vehicle, or even an obstruction—they hold a responsibility to mitigate the risk it poses. By removing the hazard, they are directly preventing accidents and injuries that could occur as a result of that obstruction.

Involvement in the removal process is often prioritized for safety, as leaving it unattended could lead to collisions or create dangerous situations for other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Immediate action can diffuse a potentially hazardous situation before it escalates into an emergency.

While reporting the hazard to authorities is also important, it may not be feasible in all situations, especially if the hazard could lead to immediate danger. Likewise, placing cones around the hazard is a protective measure that helps inform other drivers of the danger but does not eliminate the hazard itself. Leaving it alone would allow the hazard to remain, which is counterproductive to ensuring roadway safety. Therefore, the most responsible action is to remove the hazard as quickly as possible.