Accident Prevention, Management and Investigation

Course Objectives:

1. Prevent / reduce accidents
2. Manage police and media interactions
3. Manage accident investigations effectively:

              -documentation and evidence collection

              -interviewing witnesses

4. Reduce accident-related costs

Course Description:

• Introduction and definitions: Learn the three categories of accidents, three levels of accident investigation, and basic accident definitions.
• Accident prevention and management: Accident prevention begins with the driver during the first stages of hiring.  Explore procedures for interviewing, screening, and conducting background checks on driver applicants; driver incentive programs, disciplinary policies and procedures; fatigue and hours of service regulations; company training programs; as well as the role of fleet maintenance in accident prevention.
• Managing the police and media:  Understand the need to develop relationships with law enforcement organizations, as well as the benefits of a good media relations policy.
• Reading and interpreting police accident reports: All states have an accident report form, but very few if any have the identical reporting procedures. Investigate and understand the coding and notations on accident reports.
• Data collection at the accident scene:  Develop necessary tools to utilize based on the depth of the investigation required; recording evidence and identifying primary vs. secondary evidence; proper photographic documentation of the scene.
• Locating and interviewing witnesses: Learn basic questions to ask all witnesses and occupants of involved vehicles and to utilize an accident reporting kit.
• Speed estimates:  Determine vehicle speed from tire marks, critical speeds of curves, combined speeds, skip and gap skids, drag factors, and test skid procedures.