Non-injury collisions - a matter for the police or for your insurance company?

Last year, the Force received 25,395 calls reporting damage-only collisions, which police do not investigate.

READ: Motorist left trapped in early-morning Wakefield crashChief Inspector Lisa Kirkland, Head of Roads Policing, said: “We want to work with the public to address the misconception that the police should be made aware of all collisions on our roads.

“If someone has been injured, if there is an ongoing road safety issue, or you think one of the motorists may have committed a criminal offence which requires immediate police attention, like being under the influence of drink or drugs; then you should contact the police.

“In the vast majority of incidents though there is no need to call the police as it is a matter for insurance companies only. You should pull over and exchange details with any others involved, including taking contact details for any witnesses who have stayed at the scene.

“It’s no secret how busy our call handlers and officers are and we need the public to work with us to ensure that they are only contacting us about police matters.”

For more information about what you should do if you are involved in a collision, please visit the West Yorkshire Police website at: www.westyorkshire.police.uk/ask-the-police