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PhrasesCar AccidentPer favore, spegni il motore del tuo veicolo.
A2

Per favore, spegni il motore del tuo veicolo.

Please, turn off your vehicle's engine.

Pronunciation

'Spegni' = SPEN-yee — 'gn' makes a 'ny' sound; informal imperative of 'spegnere'.

When to use it

Use immediately after a collision when vehicles are still running. Running engines are a fire risk when fuel leaks are present and reduce air quality at the scene.

What it means

'Spegnere il motore' (turn off the engine) is a basic safety step after any accident. If you suspect a fuel leak (odour of petrol), this becomes critical. Also prevents carbon monoxide buildup if vehicles are in an enclosed space such as a tunnel.

Variations

Tiri il freno a mano.

Pull the handbrake.

Prevents the vehicle from rolling — critical on slopes or after impact.

Accenda le quattro frecce.

Turn on the hazard lights.

First thing to do after any accident or breakdown — increases visibility.

Apra le porte per ventilare l'abitacolo.

Open the doors to ventilate the passenger compartment.

Important if airbags deployed — chemical gases are irritants.

Mini Dialogue

— Per favore, spegni il motore del tuo veicolo. — Perché? Sto bene. — Sento odore di benzina. È pericoloso tenere il motore acceso. — Hai ragione. Lo spengo subito. — Grazie. Usciamo entrambi dalla macchina.

— Please, turn off your vehicle's engine. — Why? I'm fine. — I can smell petrol. It's dangerous to keep the engine running. — You're right. I'll turn it off right now. — Thank you. Let's both get out of the car.

Cultural Note

Italian first aid guidelines (Protezione Civile) specify the sequence after an accident: 1) stop in a safe position, 2) turn off engine, 3) apply handbrake, 4) turn on hazard lights, 5) exit and place triangle. This order minimises secondary accidents.