What is a "secondary collision"?

A secondary collision refers to an incident that happens as a consequence of the initial crash or incident. This can occur when vehicles or individuals are affected by the disruption created by the primary collision. For example, if a car crashes on a busy highway, other drivers may be distracted or react improperly, leading to additional crashes. This understanding is crucial in emergency vehicle operations, as responders must be aware of the potential for secondary collisions when they arrive at an active scene. The focus is on the chain reaction that can arise from an initial event, emphasizing the need for emergency responders to manage the scene effectively and minimize the risk of further incidents.

The other options do not accurately define a secondary collision. Involvement of an emergency vehicle with another driver does not by itself denote a secondary collision, as it could be either the primary event or part of the initial collision scenario. A crash caused by vehicle malfunction is typically classified as a single-vehicle incident rather than a secondary collision. Lastly, minor incidents during practice drills do not fit the definition either as they are not resultant from an initial incident but rather a controlled environment or exercise.