reporting road traffic collisions · 1) complete a collision report. 2) state your actions when...

Lesson 086

Metropolitan Police ServiceDirectorate of Training and Development

Police Constable Foundation Course

Reporting Road TrafficCollisions

Freedom of Information Act Document

Protective Marking: Not Protectively Marked Publication (Y/N): Y

Title: Reporting Road Traffic Collisions

Summary: Student Lesson Note - Completing a Collision Reporting Book

Branch/OCU: Curriculum Support Team. HR3-7 Constable Foundation Course

Date Created: 31.08.2010 Review Date: 31.08.2013 Version: 8.1

Author: Hetal Halai c080441

Ownership: Chief Inspector HR3

Reporting Road Traffic Collisions/086

© Metropolitan Police Authority 31.08.10

CST Police Constable Foundation Training

Contents

Objectives ................................................ 3

Setting the scene .................................... 3

Front cover .............................................. 4

Drivers details (p 3)................................. 6

Initial comments, etc (p 4) ...................... 8

Driver's documentation (p 5) ................. 10

Driver interview (p 9+10) ........................ 12

Casualties and witnesses (p 12+13) ...... 14

Sketch plan (p 20+21) ............................. 16

How to complete a sketch plan ............. 18

How collision occurred (p 22) ................ 22

Additional notes (p 23-25) ...................... 23

PRIMROSE ............................................... 24

Collisions not reported at the time ........ 28

Service policy .......................................... 29

Registration marks ................................. 31

Flow chart ................................................ 35

Self-reporting scheme ............................ 36

Cycle Hire Bikes - Collision reporting.... 38




You have learnt how to deal with road traffic collisions and theappropriate law and Service Policy.

If your investigation reveals that the collision is reportable, then you mustcomplete a Collision Report also known as a Collision Accident ReportBook or a C/ARB.

This lesson will teach you how to complete a Collision Report. It will notgive you a detailed explanation of every single part of the CollisionReport but will give you a basic knowledge on how to report a roadtraffic collision. As with this and many other reports “practice makesperfect” and the more you get to know your way around the pages ofthis report book the better.

In this lesson note, the phrase Collision Report will be used.

Objectives

After you have studied the written lesson you should be able to:

1) Complete a Collision Report.

2) State your actions when dealing with a failing to stop collision.

Setting the Scene

One sunny day in June Fred Jones and his wife were driving along intheir black Renault Scenic. They stopped at a set of traffic lights asthey were red.

Behind them was a blue Renault Megane. The driver, Mark Smith, waswith his brother. He was trying to text his girlfriend and did not noticethe stopped vehicle in front until the last moment. He braked but still hitthe Scenic.

Mr and Mrs Jones had slight neck injuries, but did not require medicalassistance.

In traffic behind was a police officer. This lesson note shows hissubsequent Collision Report.

Collision Report Books

The following pages show the Collision Report pages that you will need tocomplete along with some explanatory comments of areas that may causeconfusion. On each opposite page is the relevant bit of the Collision Reportfrom the scenario described on the opposite page.

Following that is a section on how to deal with fail to stop collisions.




Front Cover

On page 2 of the Collision Report (inside the front cover) is a reminderof PRIMROSE which is used later in the report.

The Collision Report is largely self-explanatory. You must look at eachsection and page and make a decision as to whether any informationneeds to be recorded there.

You must cross out any sections that you do not use, this is to indicatethat you have at least considered those areas. If sections have been dealtwith by other officers in other Collision Reports, you MUST cross-referencethem i.e. see Book 2.

Write POLCOL here ifpolice vehicle or policehorse involved

24 hour timings areused throughout thecollision report.

Class refers to thetype of road i.e.motorway is M,A Roads A and so on.

This refers to the otherroad in a junction ifthat is where theaccident occurred.

Ward name ifapplicable

Borough code

CAD grid reference

Traffic officer




Example of a Front Cover




Used forrecordinginformationsuch asnicknames

ID Codes andethnicitycodes aredetailed onpage 26 of theCollision Report

These areessentialto assist inprovingany drivinglicenceoffences

Page 3: This page is used for recording driver details.

Page 3 is repeated on page 6 of the collision report.




Examples of Page 3 and 6




Page 4: This page is used for recording initial comments made bythe driver, any injuries suffered by the driver and damage to thevehicle.

Initial commentsare recorded here,for examplefollowing an initialquery, 'whathappened here?

Record in moredetail on page 23

These represent a

lorry

car

motorcycle/bicycle.

Indicate on theappropriate onedamage and pointof impact for thevehicle on thispage.

Page 4 is repeated on page 7.




Pages 4 and 7 examples




Time of breathtest

ESD (breath testmachine)number

Preliminaryimpairment testsare only done bysuitably trainedofficers. C C C ifyou require one.

Pages 6, 7 and 8are a repetition fora second driver.If you need torecord thedocumentationdetails of more thantwo drivers, then youwill need to useanother CollisionReport book..

Page 5

This page is used to record details of the driver's documentation. Youwill need to check the databases to obtain them if possible and enter theparticulars as given. Also, enter details of the breath test and goodsvehicle details if applicable.




Page 5 and 8 examplesEnter details whendocuments supplied - if notsuppled leave blank so thatAdmin can enter theinformation later

If after database checksfollowed by question andanswers, consider theissue of an FPN (J). Ifdetails become availablelater the FPN will becancelled.

All boxesreferring toHO/RT1 tobe linedthrough




Do not expect two replies,write any reply to theCaution Plus Two here.

Consider asking if theyhave moved the vehiclesince the collision, coupledwith the question on page9, 'were you the driver of...',this would save yourecording it on page 27.Then ask questions such as'what happened?'

Finally point out the offenceif applicable and tell thedriver that they will bereported.

All replies must be intialledand the driver should agreethat this is a correct recordof what was said.

Page 11 and 12 arecontinuations of page 10

Pages 9 to 15These pages are used forinterviewing a driver believedto be at fault.

There is room in this book toreport two people if they areat fault. If you need toreport more than two driversthen you will need to useanother book.




Example ofPages 9 and 10

There may be occasionswhen no driver is reportedat the scene because it isnot apparent who (ifanybody) is at fault i.e.two cars skidding on iceinto each other. Do notforget to still ask andrecord the two questions,'Were you the driver...'and 'Have you moved thevehicle since the collision?'These questions must bewritten on page 27 underPRIMROSE. NOT ONTHESE PAGES.




Pages 16 to 23

These pages are usedfor any casualties,witnesses, propertyowners or other personsinvolved.

Follow the instructions asto which sections need tobe completed.

This refers to whether theperson was in one of thevehicles or a bystander

This space is for initialcomments, a moredetailed statement can betaken later

The Collision Reportcontains space for fourpersons in thesecategories (pages 12-19)

Include details of relativeson page 23 if required

If you are one of thelast officers on sceneand asked to speak towitnesses; use thesepages, complete thefront cover and cross-reference to the otherreports.




Examples of Pages 16 and 18




Pages 24 and 25 Sketch Plan

If on arrival, the vehicles have not been moved, you must complete asketch plan.

If the vehicles have been moved and it is a minor collision, a sketchplan is not required, write 'vehs moved prior to police arrival' on theabove page. However, if you still wish to complete a sketch plan, feelfree to do so.

The following pages explain how to complete a sketch plan.




A good sketch plan can give an instant view of what happened.

The value of the record of the position of the vehicles may depend onwhether they have been moved since the collision or not. To establishthis, you always need to ask these questions of each driver:

Q. “Who was the driver of motor car (registration mark ....) at thetime of the collision?”

A. “I was”.

Q. “Has it been moved since the collision?”

A. “No”.

These should be recorded on page 23 of the Collision Report. Thisapplies even if traffic officers are attending. If you deal with adriver, you ask and record these questions.

These questions and the answers must be noted as soon aspossible. Don’t forget to give the person the opportunity to sign, ifpossible.

If it is necessary to move the vehicle before measurements are taken,mark the position of all the wheels.

The object of a sketch plan is to show the scene, viewed from above,as it was when you saw it. You will seldom be able to draw it to scale,and your measurements will usually have to be approximate.




If exact measurements are required, call a Traffic officer who will assist.You can, however, make a very useful approximate measurement byfinding out the length of your normal stride and the length of your shoe.

Linear Method

When you are dealing with simple accidents, the method of measuringthe scene will be the linear system. When traffic patrol attend they willuse a more accurate but complex method known as ‘triangulation’.

The basis of linear measurement is that all measurements are eitheralong the kerb line or at right angles to it.

The measurements start at a fixed point (known as the datum point).This could be a traffic sign post, lamp post or similar fixed object. Itmay also be an imaginary point such as the right angle junction of kerbstones if they were not rounded (this is known as the “extended kerb-line”).

The lamp standard makes a good point from which to measure.

Mark the kerb opposite the front and rear wheels of each vehicle orpiece of debris, etc. Then measure along the kerb starting at the datumpoint. Give each point an alphabet letter (avoid I, O, Q, and Z) startingat the letter ‘A’ at the datum point.




First measure along the kerb from the datum point to each kerb sidepoint.

Now measure out from the kerbside points to the points selected on thevehicles (normally the centre of the wheels) and any debris, etc. Giveeach point a letter.

You must make sure that your datum point is clearly identifiable toanyone who needs to re-visit the scene or prepare plans, etc.Sometimes you will be able to identify a lamp post by a serial numberfixed to it.

Other sign posts may need to be located as being so many yards fromthe extended kerb-line of a junction.

EA B C D




Points to Remember

1. You should include the roadwidth.

2. Show which direction isnorth.

3. Make sure street names areshown.

4. Indicate where any witnesswas standing.

5. Indicate which vehicle iswhich by showing theregistration marks of each bythem.

Here are some standard symbolsyou can use in sketch plans.

The sketch plan of the accident described, with measurements included,would look something like this.




Page 22: How Collision Occurred

This section is your opinion of how you think the collision happened. Itis for the information of the Criminal Justice Unit. It will not be given inevidence and you can leave spaces as shown on sample report.

You should complete the section using this format.

Always start with ‘Apparently’...

Include

Direction Cause Effect

A sample report is shown on the following page.




Example of Page 26: How Collision Occurred

collision.DO




Pages 27, 28 and 29 Additional Notes

These pages are for completing additional information not completedelsewhere in the report.

The mneumonic on page 2, PRIMROSE, reminds you of what MUST beincluded.

P Position of vehicles on arrival ofpolice - refer to sketch plan -note the datum points.

R Record of Q and A re drivers andwhether vehicle has been moved.Signed where possible.

I Information to Local Authoritiesetc.

M Marks on road - describe - referto sketch plan. If none, say so.Include conditions/illumination ofroad signs and markingsincluding ATS, PedestrianCrossing, Stop/Give Way signswhere relevant.

R Removal of vehicles. Say howthe vehicles were finally removedi.e. MPS Contractor or nominatedgarage/recovery service.

O Offence - detail any offences andaction taken. You will also needto complete an EAB for personsarrested.

S Station Controller informed.

E Exchange of names andaddresses.

You must record any additional information here as well i.e. relativesdetails, doctors details, pre-transfusion blood details and any othersignificant matters.




PStart with ‘P’ and enter the position of the vehicles when you arrived atthe scene and refer back to the sketch plan.

RNow under ‘R’ record questions and answers and refer back to thedriver's statement. Don’t forget to offer your notes and request asignature. This may have already been done for any drivers at fault onpages 9 and 10; in that case just refer back to the appropriate pages.

IUnder ‘I’ enter details of other people or authorities informed of theaccident. This might be the Highways Department, Local Council, friendsetc.

MUnder ‘M’ give details of marks found on the road. This could be tyremarks found, road defects or traffic signs not shown on the sketch plan.

RUnder ‘R’ state how each vehicle was removed from the scene. Ensureyou give details of the MPS Contractor who is responsible for arranginga recovery service. The owner will want to know where his car hasgone. If you arrange for the removal of a vehicle either because thedriver nominates a garage or is unable to nominate, this must be shown.

You should include it in your report as shown under (a) or (b) below:-

a) Driver/owner/person in charge......asked for......garage to be called,CAD Reference...;

or

b) As driver/owner/person in charge did not require the services of anyparticular garage (or was unable or unwilling to express any desire)the services of the MPS Contractor requested by the TrafficController/Motorway Controller, CAD reference........




ORecord under ‘O’ details of any offences disclosed and the evidence youneed to prove them. Refer back to the relevant page i.e. page 9 and 10if the driver has been reported. If not, say so.

If an offence is disclosed as a result of your investigation at the scene,point out the offence(s) to the driver and tell them that they will bereported. Record this on page 10 of the Collision Report. Ask thedriver(s) to sign the statement.

Before starting the notes you must enter the place, date and time youstarted as you do for all other notes of evidence.

The report which follows is unlike the narratives in EAB's. It will not‘read’ as a statement. It will be in note form but without abbreviationtaking each letter of 'PRIMROSE' in turn. You can use the letters inyour report to assist you. You do not have to complete it in this orderand if two or more of you are reporting the collision, then PRIMROSEmay be spread across several Collision Reports.

SUnder ‘S’ show the name of the Supervisor in the CAD room the timeyou informed them of the accident and CAD number.

EUnder ‘E’ state whether names and addresses of all these concerned inthe collision have been exchanged. State if this has not been done,perhaps because one of the driver's is in hospital. The CJU will thendeal with the exchange.

Finally enter the time you completed your notes. Bear in mind thatyou may complete P and R of PRIMROSE at the scene and theremainder elsewhere.

Don't forget to always state where and when you made your notes.




'A'=collision

'A'




Statistic pages

Pages 30 to 42 contain statistics. They only need to be completed forpersonal injury collisions and not for damage only collisions.

The greyed out sections do not need to be completed at all.

These pages are self-explanatory, however you will need to read eachpage carefully in order to correctly complete them.

Completing Pages Thirty Five to Thirty Seven

These pages are only used when an arrest is made.




Traffic Collisions Not Reported at the Time

You will probably report more collisions after the event away from thescene, than you will at the time and place of the occurrence.

It will happen either...

- When a driver wishes to comply with Section 170 of the Road Traffic Act1988,

or

- When someone else complains that a driver has not done so.

In the above case it would be the car driver, a witness or a representativeof the Council who found the sign damaged.

The fact that a person wishes to report a collision does not always meanthat it must be reported by Police.

Do you remember the duties of the driver of a motor vehicle on a road whoknows that he has been involved in a collision causing injury to anotherperson, an animal or another vehicle?

He must ......... STOP

GIVEHis name and addressRegistration Mark (ifdemanded)

The owners name andaddress if demanded

Insurance Certificateif there is PersonalInjury to another

Toanyone

withgrounds

forrequiringPRODUCE




If for any reason, they have not at least given their name and address and(in injury cases) produced their insurance at the scene, they must report thecollision to Police as soon as reasonably practicable and in any case within24 hours.

So, it is perfectly in order for a driver in a damage only collision to stop andgive their name and address to the other driver or the owner of property,and do nothing more - unless they are asked for their insurance certificate,registration mark and details of the owner of the car.

The situation in the case of a personal injury collision is the same, but inaddition, they must produce an insurance certificate at the scene. (Thisseldom happens in practice).

That’s what the law demands. As you remember, Service Policy relatingto whether you write a Collision Report or not is a little different.

Service Policy

You will report a collision if PIPES applies:

Particulars not exchanged at the scene

Injury or death to anyone including the driver

POLCOL (Collision involving a police vehicle)

Evidence of unacceptable driver behaviour or vehicle condition

Special Condition i.e. diplomat involved, other specialist attended

Usually, of course, necessary emergency action has already beentaken, but you must not assume it has been. Check.

When dealing with this type of incident you must not forget:

Casualty

Obstruction

Witness




You want to know when and where the collision happened.

Was anyone injured?

Was the necessary action to secure medical aid taken?

If the collision was serious, how is the injured person progressing? (It maybe necessary to enquire at the Hospital).

Did the other vehicle stop?

Does any obstruction remain to be dealt with?

Does the informant have knowledge of any witnesses?

Once these considerations are out of the way, you can take all the time youneed to investigate fully.

Do you need to report it?

Think Service Policy - PIPES

If you decide, in the case of a damage only collision that no report isneeded tell your informant so and give them a leaflet. This is a Form 208which is merely an explanatory leaflet entitled - 'What to do at the scene ofa Road Traffic Accident'.

If they are not satisfied, make a brief note in your notebook.

If you need to report, complete a Collision Report in as much detail aspossible by questioning the informant.

If they are unable to supply information under a particular heading show“NA” meaning “Not Available”.




If the driver was seen but their name and address are not known, includetheir description in the statement of the person reporting the collision.

Always include date, time and place and by whom the collision wasreported. If it is not within 24 hours and the necessary particulars were notexchanged at the scene, there may be an offence.

Registration marks of ‘hit and run’ or suspect vehicles

You have probably heard of the expression "Hit and Run", but as PoliceOfficers we use the phrase "failing to stop" in place of "hit and run".

The procedure regarding recording registration marks will apply to anyregistration mark seen by a witness which may have to be proved inevidence at Court, in whatever connection it may be.

Remember, by all means do a PNC check on the index number, butunder NO circumstances pass any information on to the witness. Allinformation held on the PNC is subject to the Data Protection Act 1984and for you to pass information on to an unauthorised person is acriminal and disciplinary offence.

It may be to do with crime, accident or both. Obviously, if the informanthas not made any written note, they must do so before they forget. Don’tlet this happen ......

There are other matters of immediate concern, however:

Why didn’t they stop if they knew of the collision? Often, it’s because theyhad been drinking, were disqualified from driving, or were involved in crime.Your initial investigation must take this into account. Consider the possibilityof crime in every case.




If the incident is recent and there is a possibility that the vehicle may bestopped by other Officers, circulate the information. Give:

(a) description of vehicle;

(b) registration mark;

(c) description of occupants;

(d) direction of travel and brief circumstances.

Pass the messages to your station by personal radio or if required, by mainR/T or 999 system to CCC. Bear in mind the possibility that the Policehelicopter ‘India 99’ may be of assistance.

Take the necessary action to ensure that there is evidence to link thevehicle to the collision by making sure you have a record of the registrationmark. The following page shows how to make an appropriate record.




'Have you made awritten note of theregistration mark'

'Yes' 'No'

'Sign it please'

W643 XNKJ D Pettigrew8th Nov 2009

'May i keep it?'

'No'

'Please keep it safe. It isimportant to bring to courtif proceedings are taken.'

Pc submits withreport to supervisor

'Write the registration numberin my book here please and

sign it. It's just a precaution incas the other note is lost.'

Witness does so. Pcsigns and dates it.

..................................................................

..................................................................

..................................................................

..................................................................

..................................................................

..................................................................

..................................................................

Notes made in Interview Room at COLINDALEPOLICE STATION on TUESDAY 8thNOVEMBER 2009 with J.D. PETTIGREW Alldetails of vehicle 2 supplied by driver of vehicle1: W643 XNK J.D. Pettigrew. PWPeter Weaver PC237T Scene not visited byPolice at the time PW




Where the person reporting the collision has made a note of the registrationnumber of the other vehicle involved, it should be signed and dated by thatperson and the reporting officer. You must complete an exhibit label (Form420) and attach it to the original note.

The person who is reporting the collision should make a note of theregistration number in your collision report and you will countersign it. Theoriginal note, which is now an exhibit, will be placed in an envelope andsecurely attached to the rear of the collision report.

If the collision happened in a place which is not covered by your Borough,you will report it in the usual way. You must also ensure that a message issent to the CJU Traffic unit of the Borough where the collision happened.This is done by asking the control room to send an MSS 'FAILSRACC' foryou.

We send this message in case the other party attends the station where thecollision happened. The CJU Traffic unit will then be aware that you havereported one half of the collision and will be expecting your Collision Reportto arrive via the despatch system.




The following chart is a quick reminder which reporting process isrequired for 'hit and run' collisions.

Form 207 (Selfcompleting

report)

Registrationnumberknown

Fail to Stopcollision

At the policestationAt the scene

Registrationnot known

Registrationnumberknown

Complete acollision report

Registrationnot known

Form 209

Supply form 208(information

leaflet)




At the Police Station - Self Reporting Scheme

If someone attends the station they should be given a form 207 which isa 'self reporting' booklet for road traffic collisions. The form is completedby both the driver attending the station and the Station PCSO, or StationOfficer.

You don't need to know about the procedure in depth at this stage.




No Vehicle Registration Mark Recorded

Unfortunate drivers, on finding their vehicle damaged, often want toreport the collision and so they go to a police station to report it.However, they have no evidence of who or what caused the damage.

In such cases Form 209 would need to be completed. The StationReception Officer will have the task of assisting in its completion. Acopy of this form is shown below.




Cycle Hire Bikes - Collision ReportingThe London Bike Hire scheme, a public bicycle sharing scheme, waslaunched on Friday 30 July 2010. The bikes have a distinctive dark bluelivery, a Transport for London (TfL) marking and have their own Hire Bikeserial number.

From the above date, where an officer completes a Collision AccidentReport Book (CARB) involving a Cycle Hire Bike, the bike serial numbermust be recorded in the text description ‘how collision occurred’ by writingthe words ‘Hire cycle’ and the bike serial number e.g. V1 (Hire cycle, 3462)going straight ahead, hit by V2 turning left.

© 2010 Metropolitan Police Authority.

All world-wide rights reserved. No part of this work may bereproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in anyform or by any means: photocopy, electronic, mechanical recordingor otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyrightholder.

Subject to Crown Copyright. Enquiries telephone 020 8358 0648.

Lesson verified by CST - August 2010

reporting road traffic collisions · 1) complete a collision report. 2) state your actions when...

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