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Table of Contents

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LESSON 8

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT INVESTIGATOR

OVERVIEW

LESSON DESCRIPTION:

This lesson will provide you with an overview of the fundamentals of traffic accident investigation and how to prepare traffic investigation reports.

INTRODUCTION

Traffic accidents are extremely confusing events. How they occur, who or what caused them, and why they occurred are facts that military police must determine. Every MP must know the fundamentals of traffic accident investigation and know how to prepare traffic accident reports. It is the supervisors responsibility to ensure that his/her personnel follow the prescribed procedures, from the initial notification, to the completion of the accident report and additional follow-up reports. Traffic accidents, resulting in personal injury, fatality, and property damage in the amount of $1,000 or greater require an on scene investigation. When a POV is involved in an accident on the installation not meeting these requirements, the owner has within 72 hours to submit a written report to the law enforcement office.

PART A - GENERAL

Supervision of traffic operations is a responsibility shared by several individuals. MPs, patrol supervisor, desk sergeant, and MP duty officer. The supervisor acts as a coordinator of all traffic activities during a given time, team work among all on duty MPs is imperative. In areas where there are not adequate standing policies, the supervisor must provide guidance.

Speed Measuring Device. While speeding does not cause all accidents, it does have a definite effect on the severity of accidents. For this reason, efforts to control speeding are often of prime concern. Speed measuring devices are used to control speed, increase compliance with traffic laws, and conduct speed studies.

Training Personnel. Those personnel selected to operate the speed measuring device, must be mature personnel, and like the equipment, the MP must meet the certification requirements of the state where the installation is located.

• In order for a person to become certified, he/she must attend the certification course and pass a written and performance test before being certified.

• If there is no formal state program for certification the provost marshal can either send his personnel to a local training program or use a program developed by the NHTSA.

• Certified personnel at a minimum must be recertified every three years.

Types of speed measuring devices. There are two basic types of speed measuring devices used by the MPs.

• Stationary Radar. This device is normally operated from a patrol vehicle parked along a roadway for stationary observation and enforcement. The characteristics of the stationary radar are, digital readout with speed lock in capability, audible alarm, range selection, and the ability to track vehicles coming or going away.

• Moving radar. This device installed in a patrol vehicle allows the patrol to selectively monitor speed of approaching vehicles up to approximately 2,500 feet away while the patrol vehicle is moving. Moving radar patrols are highly visible, which is an important deterrent to speeders.

PART B - TRAFFIC ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION

Initial Steps. Prompt arrival at the scene of an accident is essential. Safety, however, should be emphasized at all times. Speed limits apply to all vehicles, including emergency vehicles. While in route, the patrol should maintain contact with the Military Police Desk. They should also be on the lookout for any suspicious or damaged vehicles fleeing the general area.

Arrival at the Scene. The following steps should be taken upon arrival at the scene of the accident.

• Locate Patrol Vehicle. The MP vehicle should be positioned so as not to cause further traffic congestion or accidents. If necessary, it may, however, be used as a roadblock. At night it should be parked so the headlights illuminate the entire scene. At all times the emergency lights should be on to warn approaching motorists of the hazard.

• Care for injured and protect the scene. The investigator should determine the extent of injuries to accident victims; render first aid; and request medical assistance. Severely injured persons should not be moved, except to preserve their safety. After caring for the injured, the scene should be secured to protect property and preserve evidence.

• Establish Traffic Control. Traffic control is essential at the accident scene to prevent further accidents or injury. Rerouting vehicles around the accident scene is the most common procedure used. Military personnel at the scene may be temporarily used to help control traffic. All other spectators or unnecessary personnel should be cleared from the accident area.

• Essential Elements of an Investigation. DA Form 3946, Military Police Traffic Accident Investigation Report, when completed, contains the essential investigative elements who, what, when, where, why, and how. It may be used alone, or supported by scaled diagrams, photographs and statements. This form is one of the special tools needed to clearly explain what happened at the accident scene.

• Securing Facts at Scene. After completing the initial steps and securing the scene of the accident, the investigator obtains and records facts needed to complete their reports to arrive at logical and objective conclusions. The main thrust of the investigation is to determine whether or not there was a violation of the law; and if so, to prove each element of the offense.