July 2016
Issue 21
Pokémon GO = Distracted Driver

Pokémon GO is the newest addition to a long list of electronic distractions appealing to motorists and non-motorists alike. In the short time since its release, this gaming app has already been the center of plenty of controversy related to life-threatening situations involving its users. Some players of the game have been led into armed robbery traps, trespassing violations that have led to altercations involving guns, and several other incidents directly related to distraction.
 
Numerous motor vehicle crashes have occurred in which the motorist was playing Pokémon GO on their cellular device. Pedestrians are just as distracted as drivers by this new game, with news stories reporting people walking off cliffs or directly into traffic while trying to "catch a Pokémon" (CNN, 2016). Because technology is evolving so quickly, it can be difficult for law enforcement officials to quickly ascertain how a collision involving something like Pokémon GO should be coded on the PR-1. If an investigation reveals that the driver/pedestrian was distracted while playing Pokémon GO, the investigator should categorize the "Distracted Driver" or Pedestrian as "02" : "manually operating an electronic communication device".
Key Points To Remember
  • Complete ALL data fields in your e-crash module or fillable PDF to avoid errors and warnings.
     
  • NEVER use Non-Applicable in the first field when you have multiple check boxes.
  • Know the difference between None and Non-Applicable: Non-Applicable means the circumstance did not apply to this crash and is not possible.
     
  • None means the data element is possible but the event or action did not happen.
Most Common Fields with Warnings
 
Alcohol Test Status:     Do not leave blank or enter as 88 or non-applicable.
 
  Example: Enter 01 if test was not given, 02 if the test was refused and 03 if a test was given.
 
Type of Alcohol Test :    Do not leave blank. 
 
Example: Enter 88 if no test was given or the numeric value related to the test type if a test was given. 
 
Drug Test Status:    Do not leave blank or enter as 88 or non-applicable.
 
Example: Enter 01 if test was not given, 02 if the test was refused and 03 if a test was given.
 
Type of Drug Test:
  
Do not leave blank. 
 
Example: Enter 88 if no test was given or the numeric value related to the test type if a test was given. 
 
PR-1 & PR-2 Update
 
 
Please note that all fatal crashes must have a preliminary PR-1 and PR-2 submitted within 45 days after the collision. These forms are vital to the federal reporting requirements that the CT DOT and Municipalities must meet to ensure compliance with the National Highway Safety Administration.

Please contact either Chuck Grasso or Kevin Slater if you have any outstanding fatal, PR-1, or PR-2 reports.

UCONN now has an electronic version of the PR-2, that allows you to complete the form and automatically email it to the DOT. Please contact Chuck Grasso for a copy of this valuable form.

DOT's EZ Street Draw
 
The CT Department of Transportation had announced that the latest version of EZ Street Draw is available at no charge to agencies. 
 
 
Any agency interested in EZ Street Draw is asked to contact Chuck Grasso or Kevin Slater.

The CT Transportation Safety Research Center will be conducting additional training on the MMUCC PR-1 and Commercial Vehicle Collisions over the next several months.
 
To request information on the sessions, or if your department wishes to host a training session, please email Chuck Grasso or Kevin Slater.
Quick Quiz
Each month, we will feature a quick one-question quiz. The first person to correctly answer the question and email us with their response will win a prize. This month, be the first person to answer our quiz and win a Galls Car Seat Organizer.  July Quiz Question :
 
Q: If a pickup truck towing a registered trailer is involved in a collision how would you document the trailer in the collision report?
Quick Links
Contact Us
If you have any questions regarding this newsletter, the new MMUCC PR-1 or would like training assistance please contact:

Chuck Grasso
860-753-1240

Kevin Slater
860-930-2967