Final answer:
In the event of being the first to assist at a collision scene, prioritize safety by moving off the road and call emergency services.
Step-by-step explanation:
When you are the first person to stop to give assistance at a collision scene, it is imperative to ensure the safety of yourself and others. Firstly, you must pull off the road safely to prevent any further accidents or injuries. Once you have assessed the situation while maintaining your safety, you should call emergency services for professional assistance. It is crucial to offer help, but it's equally important not to endanger yourself or others in the process. Act responsibly and follow any instructions provided by the emergency services.
In scenarios where you are the only witness to an accident, such as the one presented in FIGURE 9.6, you may need to balance your civic duties; however, helping the injured often takes precedence over personal engagements. It's also worth noting, as in case 54, the importance of not falling prey to the bystander effect, whereby individuals fail to offer help in the presence of others, assuming someone else will step in. Social psychologists suggest that you are much more likely to lend aid if no one else is around.
In urgent situations like the example provided, where a pregnant woman needs to get to the hospital urgently, sometimes breaking minor traffic rules (like running a red light when no other cars are present at 4 am) may be morally defensible to prevent greater harm or distress. However, it's always important to act with caution, taking into account the specific circumstances and potential risks involved. In contrast, with life-threatening situations like drowning, as mentioned, the priority is always to remove the person from water before attempting resuscitation techniques like CPR. The goal should be swift action to provide effective aid.