Traffic Collision Investigation Version 3.1

CALIFORNIA COMMISSION ON PEACE OFFICER STANDARDS AND TRAINING Basic Course Workbook Series Student Materials Learning Domain 29 Traffic Collision Investigation Version 3.1 THE MISSION OF THE CALIFORNIA COMMISSION ON PEACE OFFICER STANDARDS AND TRAINING IS TO CONTINUALLY ENHANCE THE PROFESSIONALISM OF CALIFORNIA LAW ENFORCEMENT IN SERVING ITS COMMUNITIES Basic Course Workbook Series Student Materials Learning Domain 29 Traffic Accident Investigation Version 3.1 © Copyright 2008 California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) All rights reserved. Published 2000 Revised January 2006 Revised January 2008 Workbook Correction January 27, 2009 This publication may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical or by any information storage and retrieval system now known or hereafter invented, without prior written permission of the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, with the following exception: California law enforcement or dispatch agencies in the POST program, POST-certified training presenters, and presenters and students of the California basic course instructional system are allowed to copy this publication for non-commercial use. All other individuals, private businesses and corporations, public and private agencies and colleges, professional associations, and non-POST law enforcement agencies in-state or out-of- state may purchase copies of this publication, at cost, from POST as listed below: From POST’s Web Site: www.post.ca.gov Go to Ordering Student Workbooks POST COMMISSIONERS Deborah Linden - Chairman Chief San Luis Obispo Police Department Michael Sobek, Vice Chairman Sergeant San Leandro Police Department Anthony W. Batts Chief Long Beach Police Department Lai Lai Bui Sergeant Sacramento Police Department Collene Campbell Public Member Robert T. Doyle Sheriff Marin County Bonnie Dumanis District Attorney San Diego County Floyd Hayhurst Deputy Sheriff Los Angeles County Scott Himelstein Public Member Ron Lowenberg Dean/Director Criminal Justice Training Center Golden West College John McGinness Sheriff Sacramento County Jeff Lundgren Deputy Sheriff Riverside County Sheriff's Department Henry T. Perea Councilman City of Fresno Laurie Smith Sheriff Santa Clara County Michael Sobek Sergeant San Leandro Police Department Gil Van Attenhoven Senior Special Agent California Department of Justice George Anderson Director of Division of Law Representing Attorney General Enforcement Jerry Brown - Ex Officio Member THE ACADEMY TRAINING MISSION The primary mission of basic training is to prepare students mentally, morally, and physically to advance into a field training program, assume the responsibilities, and execute the duties of a peace officer in society. FOREWORD The California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training sincerely appreciates the efforts of the many curriculum consultants, academy instructors, directors and coordinators who contributed to the development of this workbook. The Commission extends its thanks to California law enforcement agency executives who offered personnel to participate in the development of these training materials. This student workbook is part of the POST Basic Course Training System. The workbook component of this system provides a self-study document for every learning domain in the Basic Course. Each workbook is intended to be a supplement to, not a substitute for, classroom instruction. The objective of the system is to improve academy student learning and information retention. The content of each workbook is organized into sequenced learning modules to meet requirements as prescribed both by California law and the POST Training and Testing Specifications for the Basic Course. It is our hope that the collective wisdom and experience of all who contributed to this workbook will help you, the student, to successfully complete the Basic Course and to enjoy a safe and rewarding career as a peace officer serving the communities of California. PAUL CAPPITELLI Executive Director LD 29: Traffic Accident Investigation Table of Contents Topic See Page Preface Introduction iii How to Use the Student Workbook iv Chapter 1: Vehicle Collisions 1-1 Overview 1-1 Introduction to Vehicle Collisions 1-3 Collision Scene Management 1-8 Chapter Synopsis 1-15 Workbook Learning Activities 1-16 Chapter 2: Collision Investigations 2-1 Overview 2-1 Collision Related Evidence 2-3 Tire Marks 2-25 Collision Scene Measurements 2-28 Collision Analysis 2-34 Chapter Synopsis 2-43 Workbook Learning Activities 2-45 Continued on next page LD 29: Traffic Accident Investigation i Table of Contents, Continued Topic See Page Chapter 3: Collision Documentation 3-1 Overview 3-1 Collision Documentation 3-4 Report Narratives 3-11 Collision Sketches and Factual Diagrams 3-18 Chapter Synopsis 3-23 Workbook Learning Activities 3-25 Supplementary Material S-1 Glossary G-1 ii LD 29: Traffic Accident Investigation Preface Introduction Student The student workbooks are part of the POST Basic Course Instructional workbooks System. This system is designed to provide students with a self-study document to be used in preparation for classroom training. Regular Completion of the Regular Basic Course is required, prior to exercising peace Basic officer powers, as recognized in the California Penal Code and where the Course POST-required standard is the POST Regular Basic Course. training requirement Student The following elements are included in each workbook: workbook elements • chapter contents, including a synopsis of key points, • supplementary material, and • a glossary of terms used in this workbook. LD 29: Traffic Accident Investigation iii How to Use the Student Workbook Introduction This workbook provides an introduction to the training requirements for this Learning Domain. It is intended to be used in several ways: for initial learning prior to classroom attendance, for test preparation, and for remedial training. Workbook To use the workbook most effectively, follow the steps listed below. format Step Action 1 Begin by reading the: Preface and How to Use the Workbook, which provide an overview of how the workbook fits into the POST Instructional System and how it should be used. 2 Refer to the Chapter Synopsis at the end of each chapter to review the key points that support the chapter objectives. 3 Read the text. 4 Complete the Workbook Learning Activities at the end of each chapter. These activities reinforce the material taught in the chapter. 5 Refer to the Glossary for a definition of important terms. The terms appear throughout the text and are bolded and underlined the first time they appear (e.g., term). iv LD 29: Traffic Accident Investigation Chapter 1 Vehicle Collisions Overview Learning need Peace officers need to know how to effectively manage traffic collision scenes to ensure their safety, the safety of others, and protect the integrity of the collision scene. Learning The chart below identifies the student learning objectives for this chapter. objectives After completing study of this chapter, the student will be E.O. Code able to... • discuss safety hazards that officers should be aware of 29.01.EO6 when approaching the scene of a traffic collision. • demonstrate appropriate peace officer actions when managing a vehicle collision scene, including: - caring for injured and involved parties, and 29.01.EO7 - protecting the collision scene. 29.01.EO8 - collecting and preserving evidence 29.01.EO9 Continued on next page LD 29 – Chapter 1: Vehicle Collisions 1-1 Vehicle Collision, Continued In this chapter This chapter focuses on the roles and responsibilities of peace officers who are called to respond to traffic collisions. Refer to the chart below for specific topics. Topic See Page Introduction to Vehicle Collisions 1-3 Collision Scene Management 1-8 Chapter Synopsis 1-15 Workbook Learning Activities 1-16 1-2 LD 29 – Chapter 1: Vehicle Collisions Introduction to Vehicle Collisions Introduction There is no single, all-inclusive definition of the word “collision” (i.e., accident). Generally, a collision is an unintended event that produces damage or injury (including fatal injury). A vehicle collision is any collision between at least one vehicle and anything else, whether man, beast, inanimate object, or another vehicle. A motor vehicle traffic collision is any collision involving a motor vehicle in transport that occurs: • on a highway, or • after the vehicle has left the road but before that event has stabilized. A motor vehicle nontraffic collision is any motor vehicle collision that occurs entirely at a place other than a highway (public or private). NOTE: Although the terms “accident” and “collision” are often used interchangeably, “collision” is the state standard term when referring to any event involving motor vehicles. In transport For both traffic collisions and nontraffic collisions, the motor vehicle(s) involved must be in transport. In transport is the state or condition of a vehicle when it is in use primarily for moving persons or property, including the vehicle itself (e.g., a trailer being pulled), from one place to another. A motor vehicle is considered in transport whenever: • the vehicle is on a roadway, no matter if that vehicle is: - moving, - stopped, stalled, - disabled, - abandoned, or Continued on next page LD 29 – Chapter 1: Vehicle Collisions 1-3 Introduction to Vehicle Collisions, Continued In transport • any part of the vehicle is on a roadway and might be struck by any other

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