Tab #2

Elements of a Traffic CrashElements of Investigation

Interview Techniques

Possible Perception and Perception

Scanning Ahead to Identify Hazards

Possible Perception- Limited by Highway

Geometry

Possible Perception & Perception-Limited by

Topography

Encroachmentinto an adjacent lane

Start of Evasive Action

Initial Contact and Maximum Engagement

Distributed

Concentrated

Maximum Engagement

Final Rest

Classify by

How the Vehicle Arrived at Its Final Resting

Point

Elements of Investigation: “H-V-E”

Factors and Conditions Relating to the Crash…

Before Crash

DuringCrash

AfterCrash

Human

Vehicle

Environ- ment

BehaviorCondition ImpairmentPassenger(s)

Occupant MotionSeat belt usage?

Behavior

Personal InjuryPassenger InjuryDriver Interview

Human Factors

A Focus on the Role that Humans HaveDrivers and passengersWitnessesResponse personnel

Human Factors

Focus on the Driver and Passenger Identification and contact information Basic Review of Incident Injuries Received What alerted them to the impending

crash

Human Factors

Focus on Independent Witnesses Identification and contact information What they saw Where were they when they saw the

crash What alerted them to the collision Any relationship to accident

participants

Human Factors

Focus on Response Personnel Fire Department EMS Personnel Law Enforcement Personnel Motor Carrier Enforcement Personnel Tow truck drivers News Media (photojournalists, TV)

Vehicle Factors

Factors and Conditions Relating to the Crash…

Before Crash

DuringCrash

AfterCrash

Human

Vehicle

Environ- ment

Angle of ImpactSpeed at Impact

Position at Impact

Vehicle DesignPre-trip

InspectionLoad Securement

Exterior DamageInterior DamageOccupant EjectionFinal Rest

Vehicle

Vehicle dimensions, specifications, equipment and loadVehicle damage Direct or contact Indirect or induced Undamaged areas

Vehicle mechanical condition

Vehicle Damage – Impact Angle

Vehicle Damage – PDOF and Overlap

Vehicle Damage – Occupant PDOF

Vehicle Condition – Loading

Environmental Factors

Environment

Focuses on the general area where the crash occurredIncludes the physical evidence at the scene that was created prior to and from the collisionIncludes the highway geometryIncludes the weather conditions

Factors and Conditions Relating to the Crash…

Before Crash

DuringCrash

AfterCrash

Human

Vehicle

Environ- ment

Damage to RoadImpact Location

Direction of Travel

Highway DesignSurface

ConditionTime of DayTraffic Control

Dev.

Physical EvidenceDebris

Tire MarksGouges

Environment – Physical Evidence

Environment – Physical Evidence

Environment – Highway Geometry

Documenting Highway Geometry

Lane and shoulder Widths

Grade

Curvature

Cross-slope

Hwy Fixtures

Surface Condition

TrafficControl Devices

Land Use

Topography

Surface Type

Environment – Weather Conditions

How far could you see?

Environment- Road Surface Condition

Document the presence of snow, snow-pack, ice and evidence of sand/salt/plowing activities on the highway.

Interviewing

Prepare for the Interview Outline or Script Areas of Questions Identify the “who, what, when, where and

how” questions that you will be asking

Listen During the Interview