Traffic Accident Investigation Procedures

Officers notified of a traffic accident will:

1. Respond, and
2. Handle that accident according to:
a. State Statutes,
b. City Ordinances, and
c. Department Policy.
They are responsible for investigating and reporting
all accidents, completely and accurately (unless it
qualifies for picketing), whether it occurs on public or
private property, on interstate highways or ramps, or
outside city limits, except when properly relieved by a law
enforcement officer from another jurisdiction.
 At any accident scene, officers shall check for
evidence that the driver may be under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.
If such evidence is present, officers shall take steps to
determine the level of impairment, such as field sobriety
test, PBT, etc.; and follow with appropriate enforcement
action.
Traffic Accident reports

A Traffic Accident Report shall be completed for

motor vehicle accidents involving personal injury, a City
vehicle, or combined property damage.
Marking tools are among the most important tools for any good crash investigator. There are a
number of marking tools that you must have in your kit:
 Chalk – to make quick temporary marks, but remember it washes off in the rain

 Yellow lumber crayon – marks most surfaces and in all weather types

 Spray chalk – Similar to the bright orange spray that surveyors use. Often used to mark the
position of vehicles on dry surfaces, but it will eventually wash off
 Spray paint – Semi-permanent, so only use if absolutely necessary

 Nails, washers and bottle caps. Nail a bottle cap to mark the zero point on a base line

You should also have a number of measuring tools available in your investigation kit including:
 100-ft and 25-ft steel or fiberglass measuring tape

 8-ft steel measuring tape and a measuring wheel

 Surveyor pins and a hammer

Recording tools are an essential part of a crash investigators tool kit and many people have their
own preferences as to which they’ll use. Most people have all, or a mix of the items outlined
below:
 Clipboard, paper, pens, pencils, report forms, intersection diagrams and clear plastic sheets or
plastic bags to put your reports in if it’s raining
 Camera and micro tape recorder. The camera can be used to document the scene accurately
and the tape recorder to easily take notes and thoughts down
 Other tools of the trade that aren’t specific to accident investigators, but can be used by them
are items such as a flashlight, flares, traffic cones, compass, evidence envelopes and
something to carry everything in.