NCJ Number
63358
Date Published
1975
Length
16 pages
Annotation
THIS UNIT DISCUSSES ATTITUDES TOWARD LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTION WHICH SHOULD BE TAKEN AT AN ACCIDENT SCENE AND REVIEWS TRAFFIC ACCIDENT LAW ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURES.
Abstract
LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTION AT THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT, WHERE WARRANTED, IS A PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION. IN A MAJORITY OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENT CASES, AT LEAST ONE DRIVER IS GUILTY OF COMMITTING ONE OR MORE TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS. THE PUBLIC OFTEN EXPECTS THAT, SINCE THERE WAS INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE ASSOCIATED WITH AN ACCIDENT, THE OFFICER SHOULD SHOW SYMPATHY AND KINDNESS RATHER THAN GIVE TRAFFIC CITATIONS OR MAKE ARRESTS. HOWEVER, THE OFFICER HAS A SWORN OBLIGATION TO UPHOLD AND ENFORCE THE LAW NO MATTER WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES. VIOLATIONS FREQUENTLY ASSOCIATED WITH TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS INCLUDE SPEEDING AND DRIVING TOO FAST TO ACCOMMODATE ROAD CONDITIONS, FAILING TO YIELD RIGHT-OF-WAY, FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY, DRIVING LEFT OF CENTER, MAKING AN IMPROPER TURN, IMPROPER OVERTAKING, DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH IMPROPER LIGHTS OR DEFECTIVE STEERING OR BRAKES, IGNORING TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES, OR DRIVING WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS. SEVERAL CATEGORIES OF TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS, ALONG WITH POSSIBLE SOURCES OF INFORMATION TO SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTION, ARE LISTED, AND THE PROCEDURES FOR TAKING LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTION AT THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT ARE DISCUSSED. FINALLY, TERMINAL ACCIDENT MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES ARE DELINEATED. A QUIZ IS INCLUDED. (PRG)