Unit 2-Analyze Collision Components Flashcards
Accident
An accident is a sequence of events that usually produce UNINTENDED injury, death or property damage. pg 17
Collision
A collision is the act of COMING TOGETHER with sudden violent force. pg 17
THE INVESTIGATIVE PROCESS
Fact finding, not fault finding
Establish the Facts
Impartiality in mind pg17
Unsafe Acts and Conditions
Unsafe acts: Includes driving while impaired, speeding, and aggressive driving.
Unsafe conditions: Includes road work in progress, weather related problems such as ice and snow on the roadway, and dense fog that limits visibility. pg 18
THE FIVE LEVELS OF COLLISION INVESTIGATION
Level 1—Reporting Level 2—On-scene Level 3—Technical Evaluation Level 4—Professional Reconstruction Level 5—Cause Analysis pg18
Level 1—Reporting
Reporting is the basic data collection intended to IDENTIFY and CLASSIFY the components of a collision. pg18
Level 2—On-Scene
The On-Scene Investigation is the urgent data collection level and is the MOST IMPORTANT of all five levels. This is the level where the investigator(s) examines evidence, make records of the collision, and obtains additional information that may not be available later. The scene is as fresh and untainted as it will ever be. pg18
Level 3—Technical Evaluation
The technical evaluation is accomplished for SPECIFIC PURPOSES, such as form legal purposes and other data relating to a collision. It also includes completing the following: Scale diagram Damage evaluations Simple speed estimates Tire and lamp evaluations pg19
Level 4—Professional Reconstruction
Professional reconstruction is the effort to determine how the collision happened, if possible. It involves fitting together pieces of information. pg19
Level 5—Cause Analysis
Cause analysis is the final level of collision investigation. The purpose of cause analysis is to determine WHY the collision OCCURRED. pg20
5 MAJOR EVENTS OF A COLLISION
- Point of possible perception
- Point of actual perception
- Point of no escape
- First harmful event
- Point of final rest.
Point of Possible Perception
the position or point where a normal driver could POSSIBLY have perceived the impending hazard. This point will be present in all collisions and may be approximated with adequate investigation. pg21
Point of Actual Perception
The point of actual perception (POAP) relates to the point where the driver ACTUALLY perceived the hazard. This is normally indicated by combining skid marks with reaction distance to show the driver’s estimated point of reaction. This point is not present in all collisions. pg21
Point of No Escape
The point of no escape is the point where the collision CANNOT BE AVOIDED by one or more traffic units. The point of no escape is present in all collisions and is at times difficult to locate, depending on the circumstances of the collision. pg21
First Harmful Event (Point of Impact)
The FIRST HARFUL EVENT is the first contact between two traffic units, between a traffic unit and another object, or first contact with a highway surface during an overturn.
Point of impact
Identifies the point that the components SUSTAINED DAMAGE. When it is the first point where the vehicle contacts the point of perceived danger (sustaining
damage or not), it is called the primary point of impact (PPOI). pg 21
Point of Primary Contact
The FIRST CONTACT between two traffic units, between a traffic unit and another object, or first contact of a vehicle with a highway surface during an overturn. pg21
Point of Maximum Engagement
The point of maximum PENETRATION or engagement by one object into another such as the maximum penetration of one traffic unit into another traffic unit or object during collision. pg21
Point of Disengagement
The SEPARATION of two objects, for example, traffic units, after maximum engagement. pg21
Point of Final Rest
That point where all traffic units come to a final position after all movement has stopped. The point of final rest may be controlled or uncontrolled, and is present in every collision. pg22
What is a Controlled movement?
Component is moved by OUTSIDE SOURCE after impact. The driver moves the vehicle off the roadway. pg22
What is a Uncontrolled movement?
Component continues to roll, slide or flip after the impact. NO outside source controlling the final rest position. pg 22
What is a factor of Impact?
Impact involves forces between a vehicle and some other object. pg22
What is a factor of Forces involved?
These forces can change speed, direction, rotation or all of these. pg 22
What is a factor of Friction?
Friction forces can change the speed and direction of a vehicle (i.e., braking and/or turning). pg22