J.H.

CERILLES STATE COLLEGE

Mati, San Miguel, Zamboanga del Sur

SCHOOL OF CRIMINAL EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in Criminology

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION

WITH DRIVING

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION

Traffic accident is any accident involving motor vehicles, which results in an event that is considered to
be in contrast of expected, intended, or routine operation.

Accident investigation is a process of systematic collection and analysis of information relating to an

Traffic Accident Investigation is the thorough examination of all elements contributing to the accident,
resulting in a well founded explanation of the series of events which occurred based upon the factual
data.

What Traffic Accident Investigation Determines? It aims to know the five (5) "Ws" and one (1) "H" of the
incident:

1. WHAT happened?

2. WHO and WHAT was involved?

3. WHERE did it happen?

4. WHY did it happen?

5. HOW did the accident occur?

6. WHEN did the accident happen?

Purposes of Traffic Accident Investigation. There are four (4) main reasons, depending on who does the
investigation:
1. Everyone involved is curious about the causes and circumstances of the accident

2. For the police - to find out whether there is enough evidence of law violation in the accident.

3. Claims attorneys and adjusters want to determine negligence on the part of the drivers involved in
the accident so that damage claims can be properly adjusted.

4. Officials and others want specific information about accidents to know how to prevent future
accidents.

Debris -The scattered broken parts of vehicles, rubbish, dust and other materials left at the scene of the
accident caused by a collision.

Skid Marks - These are marks left on the roadway by tires which are not free to rotate, usually because
brakes are applied strong and the wheels locked.

Traffic Unit - Any person using a traffic way for travel, parking or other purposes as a pedestrian or
driver, including any vehicle, or animal which he is using.

Kinds of Traffic Accidents

1. Non-Motor Vehicle Traffic Accident - Refers to any accident occurring on a traffic way involving
persons using the traffic way or travel or transportation, but not involving a motor vehicle in motion.

2. Motor Vehicle Non-Traffic Accident. Any motor vehicle accident which occurs entirely in any place
other than a traffic way. Example: accident on a private driveway.

3. Motor Vehicle Traffic Accident. Any motor vehicle accident occurring on a traffic way. Example:
collision between automobiles on a highway.

Classification of Motor Vehicle Traffic Accident According to Key Event

1. Running off road. This is usually characterized by a motor vehicle falling on the roadside or on a cliff
along mountainous roads.

2. Non-collision on road. This does not involve any collision an example of which is overturning.

3. Collision on road. On the other hand, this type of accident includes all forms of accident as long as
there is a collision. Examples of this are motor vehicle colliding with:

a. Pedestrian - may be walking, running or standing on a roadway

b. Other motor vehicle in traffic - may be head on, head and rear, sides opposite direction, sides the
same direction, head and side collision.

c. Parked motor vehicle - the form of collision may be similar to a moving vehicle like head on collision,
however, one is parked anywhere on a roadway.
d. Railroad train this type of collision usually occurs along railroad crossings.

e. Bicycle - in this form of collision, it is either the motor vehicle or the bicyclists who initiated the
collision.

Types of Vehicle Collision

1. Head-on Collision

2. Rear-en Collision

3. Sideswipe Collision in opposite direction

4. Sideswipe Collision in the same direction

5. Head side angle collision

6. Multiple Collision

Severity of Motor Vehicle Traffic Accidents

Two types of Traffic Accidents based on its severity

1. Fatal Accident- It is any motor vehicle accident that results in death to one or more persons.

2. Non-Fatal Injury Accident- It is any motor vehicle accident where there is no fatal or injury to any
person but only damage to the motor vehicle or to other property including injury or animals.

Causes of Motor Vehicle Traffic Accidents

1. Simultaneous Factors

a. Road conditions.

b. Drivers' attitude or behavior.

c. Weather condition.

2. Sequential Factors

a. Speed is greater or less than safe.

b. Defective vehicle (vehicle malfunction).

3. Operational Factors
a. Road hazards.

b. Driver's non-compliance to traffic laws, rules and regulations.

4. Perception Factors

a. Driver's inability to react promptly to a situation.

b. Driver's faulty action to escape collision course.

Chain of Events in a Vehicular Accident - For the purpose of reporting, traffic accident may usually be
described well enough as a single occurrence but when accident is investigated, attention is directed to
particular stages of the occurrence.

1. Perception of Hazard - It is seeing, feeling, or hearing and understanding the usual or unexpected
movement or condition that could be taken as sign of the accident about to happen.

2. Start of evasive action - It is the first action taken by a traffic unit to escape from a collision course or
otherwise avoid a hazard.

3. Initial Contact - The first accidental touching of an object collision course or otherwise avoids a
hazard.

4. Maximum Engagement - It is greatest collapse or overlap in a collision. The force between the traffic
unit and the object collided with are greatest at maximum engagement.

5. Disengagement - It is the separation of a traffic unit in motion from an object with which it has
collided. The force between the object ceases at this time.

6. Stopping - This is when the traffic unit/s involved come to rest. It usually stabilizes the accident
situation.

7. Injury - It is receiving bodily harm. This event does not necessary occur after the accident but within
any of the chain of events.

Five (5) Levels of Activity in Accident Investigation

1. Reporting - This stage involves basic data collection to identify and classify a motor vehicle, traffic and
persons, property and planned movements involved.

2. At-Scene Investigation - This level involves all action taken by the investigator at the scene of the
crime or accident.

3. Technical Preparation - This involves delayed traffic accident data collection and organization for
study and interpretation.
4. Professional Reconstruction - This involves efforts to determine from whatever information is
available, how the accident happened.

5. Cause Analysis - This last level usually involves final analysis on the causes of accident which are bases
for the prevention of similar accident.