COMPOSED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
Un-stabilized Situation - ANSWER An un-stabilized situation is a set of events not
under human control. It originates when control is lost and terminates when control is
regained or when all persons and property are at rest
Crash - ANSWER A crash is the result of an un-stabilized situation which includes
at least one incident of personal injury or property damage that is not a direct result
of a cataclysm or deliberate intent.
Non-Collision Crash - ANSWER Any crash other than a collision crash. A crash
report should be prepared if the resultant incident meets the definition of a reportable
crash, i.e., there is an injury or property damage that requires towing.
• The incident must occur on a highway or traffic way that is open to the public by
right or custom and involve at least one motor vehicle in transport.
EX:
• Sudden stop causes an occupant to be injured.
• Vehicle overturning.
• Breakage of any part of the vehicle, resulting in injury or further property damage.
• Explosion of any part of the vehicle.
• Fire starting in the vehicle while in motion (not parked). • Fall or jump from the
vehicle.
• Occupant hit by an object in or thrown against some part of the vehicle.
• Object falling on the vehicle.
Department Vehicle Crash - ANSWER Any crash in which a Department vehicle is
involved. Also includes a crash in which Department personnel drive, or are
custodians of, a Turnpike Commission vehicle; other Commonwealth-owned or -
leased vehicle; a personal vehicle authorized for official use; a vehicle which a
member legally utilizes in a self-activated response to a serious police matter as
prescribed in Field Regulation 1-2, Duty Requirements; or a vehicle loaned to the
Department for on-duty use.
Hit-and-Run Crash - ANSWER A hit and run crash is a motor vehicle collision in
which a driver involved fails to comply with any legal requirements regarding
stopping, giving aid and giving ID.
• Attempt to find all parties. Did they leave the scene by foot, vehicle, or got a ride? Is
this really a hit and run?
Reportable Crash - ANSWER The incident must occur on a highway or traffic way
that is open to the public by right or custom and involve at least one motor vehicle in
transport.
Section 3746(a) of Title 75 states a crash is reportable if it involves: - Injury to or
death of any person; and/or - Damage to any vehicle to the extent that it cannot be
driven under its own power in its customary manner without further damage or
, MPOETC EXAM£14 CRASH INVESTIGATION WELL
COMPOSED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
hazard to the vehicle, other traffic elements, or the roadway, and therefore requires
towing.
Non-Reportable Crash - ANSWER A non-reportable crash involves a crash with no
injury or death of any person, in which there is no towing due to the damage to the
vehicle at the time of the crash.
• Furthermore, if the incident occurred on private property or was a result of
deliberate intent or cataclysm, the crash is not reportable.
- A non-reportable crash does not require a Police Crash Report Form to be
completed or submitted to PENNDOT.
Motor Vehicle in Transport - ANSWER A motor vehicle in transport is any
motorized vehicle moving or stopped (not parked) being used in the transportation of
person(s) or property. There must be at least one motor vehicle in transport involved
in every crash reported to PENNDOT.
Cataclysm - ANSWER A cataclysm is a cloudburst, cyclone, earthquake, flood,
hurricane, lightning, tidal wave, torrential rain, tornado, volcanic eruption, etc.
Crashes that result from a cataclysm are not reportable.
- Motor vehicles driven into water when a bridge is washed out during a hurricane or
flood.
- Motor vehicles driven into falling materials covering a roadway during a landslide
or avalanche.
Harmful Event - ANSWER is an occurrence that actually causes damage or injury.
It must be observable like "hitting a tree" or "overturning."
• The event itself causes the damage or injury. There can be up to four harmful
events per unit per crash. If there are more for a particular vehicle, use the first four
harmful events in event sequence (how it happened) and ignore the remaining event
If the most harmful event is not one of the first four, make it the fourth harmful event
and ignore the original fourth harmful event in sequence.
• The investigating officer will determine the most damaging or injury-producing
event for each unit based upon his/her investigation.
Deliberate Intent - ANSWER The classification given to the cause of an event
which occurs when a person acts deliberately to cause the event or deliberately
refrains from prudent acts which would prevent occurrence of the event. Includes
suicide, self-inflicted injury, homicide injury or damage purposely inflicted.
Crashes that result from deliberate intent are NOT reportable.