A practical checklist for witnesses to a road incident: location, vehicles, direction, sequence, footage, observations and how to keep notes useful without guessing.
Keep the record useful and proportionatePrioritise road safety, preserve original evidence, verify machine-read information and avoid conclusions that the footage itself cannot support.
Write down the basics while they are fresh
Record the date, approximate time, road or junction, direction of travel and where you were positioned. Small location details can become difficult to remember later, especially if the route was unfamiliar.
Describe vehicles without over-interpreting
Note registrations if clearly visible, plus vehicle type, colour and any distinctive features. If you are unsure about a character or detail, mark it as uncertain rather than filling the gap from memory. Do not assume that a recognised registration identifies the driver.
Record the sequence you actually observed
Write down what happened in order using neutral language. Include lane movements, signals, braking, collisions or near misses that you personally saw. Avoid adding motives or conclusions that you could not observe.
Keep footage connected to your notes
If you captured video or photographs, note the relevant file and preserve the original. A simple timestamp beside your written observation makes it easier for someone else to find the corresponding moment in the footage.
Record other witnesses carefully
If another person voluntarily gives you contact information, keep it accurate and do not publish it. Police or insurers may prefer to obtain witness accounts directly. Avoid coordinating recollections with other witnesses before making your own note.
Use the correct reporting route
If the incident involves immediate danger or injury, use the appropriate emergency route. For non-emergency driving offences or collisions, reporting processes vary by police force and incident type. Follow the force instructions for the area concerned.
Practical checklist
Practical checklist
- Date and approximate time
- Exact or approximate location
- Your position and direction of travel
- Vehicle registrations only if clearly seen
- Vehicle descriptions and lane positions
- Traffic signals and road conditions
- A neutral sequence of what you observed
- Original photo or video file references
- Any witness details provided voluntarily
- The reporting reference if you submit information
Official resources
Rules and reporting routes can change. Check the current official guidance that applies to your situation.