NCJ Number
100172
Date Published
1985
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This report presents data and narrative interpretation for a North Dakota survey pertaining to the number and consequences of police vehicular accidents for 1980-84.
Abstract
Of the 206 law enforcement agencies contacted, 108 responded, yielding a 52 percent response rate. All of the major agencies in the State responded, suggesting that the data include most of the police vehicular accidents that occurred over the target period. Data include the number of on-duty police vehicular accidents that resulted in vehicle damage, the number of officers killed and injured in these accidents, and civilians killed and injured. Also provided are data on accident-related litigation and costs. Litigation information covers the number of accidents resulting in litigation as well as the number of settlements with and without litigation. Cost data includes vehicular damage (both officer and civilian), medical costs (both officers and civilians), and settlement costs (excluding vehicular and medical costs). Both statewide and agency-by-agency data on all the aforementioned items are presented. The report concludes that police vehicular accidents are not extensive nor are associated costs unmanageable. Improved and increased officer driver training is recommended, however.