NCJ Number
63352
Date Published
1975
Length
24 pages
Annotation
BASIC REPORTING AND INVESTIGATING ACTIVITIES CONNECTED TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND HUMAN CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTING TO SUCH ACCIDENTS ARE IDENTIFIED; SUGGESTED PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING INFORMATION ARE OUTLINED.
Abstract
DEVELOPED BY THE MARYLAND POLICE TRAINING COMMISSION, THIS UNIT COVERS THE EFFECTS OF DRIVER AND PEDESTRIAN CONDITIONS ON ACCIDENTS INCLUDING VISUAL AND HEARING IMPAIRMENTS, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL DEFICIENCIES, PERSONALITY, AND PHYSICAL STATES RESULTING FROM DRUGS, POISONS, FATIGUE, OR ILLNESS. THE PROCEDURES FOR INTERVIEWING DRIVERS, WITNESSES, AND PASSENGERS AND A SELF-TEST ON THESE PROCEDURES ARE ALSO PRESENTED. INTERVIEWING PROCEDURES SHOULD INCLUDE IDENTIFICATION OF DRIVER AND VERIFICATION OF PERMIT AND REGISTRATION, SEPARATE INTERVIEWS WITH EACH DRIVER, A DRIVER EVALUATION, INTERVIEWS WITH PASSENGERS AND WITNESSES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AND AN EVALUATION OF ALL ACCOUNTS OF ACCIDENT EVENTS WITH CONSIDERATION OF THE PHYSICAL CONDITIONS PRESENT AT THE SCENE. POINTS TO REMEMBER WHEN INTERVIEWING INCLUDE MAINTAINING AN OBJECTIVE AND IMPARTIAL ATTITUDE, ASKING CLEAR AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS, ASKING FOR EXACT DESCRIPTIONS, IF POSSIBLE, AND ASKING POINTED BUT NOT LEADING QUESTIONS. IN ADDITION, INJURED, ANGRY, OR ANXIOUS PERSONS SHOULD NOT BE INTERVIEWED IMMEDIATELY. THE UNIT OUTLINES A SUGGESTED LIST OF QUESTIONS FOR OBTAINING DRIVING, WITNESS, AND PASSENGER INFORMATION, AND BRIEF COMMENTS ON INDIVIDUALS WHO GIVE MINIMAL INFORMATION, ON WRITTEN STATEMENTS, AND ON PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS. (AOP)