July 2015
Issue 13

 

Have you ever wondered why, despite the fact that everyone knows how dangerous and deadly it is, 75% of drivers text and drive? So do we. In her new blog, Drivers Behaving Badly, CTSRC's Behavioral Analyst Marisa Auguste explains the impact driver behavior has on crashes, and explores the latest developments in behavioral research to deter unsafe driving behaviors. Read her latest article "What in the World is Behavioral Analysis" to find out the uses of behavior analysis and how it relates to traffic safety.
Officer Chris Dufresne and his dog Bruin have qualified for the U.S. Police Canine Association competition after a successful weekend at regional trials in June. At regionals  Dufresne and Bruin brought back first place in team competition, second place in overall obedience and third place overall in evidence recovery (in addition to qualifying for nationals). This will be the second time the duo has competed in the national competition (last year they placed 49th out of 110 canine teams), which is slated to take place this fall in Illinois. Click here to read the full article.

Is someone in your department, or is your department as a whole going above and beyond the call of duty? Let us know and be featured in our next newsletter.

A part of the job that no police officer enjoys is when they must knock on someone's door to notify them that a loved one has died in a car crash. With that in mind, CTSRC recently held the Stop the Knock Video Contest for University of Connecticut students. We asked students to submit a 25 second public service announcement encouraging viewers not to participate in potentially fatal driving behaviors (texting and driving or drinking and driving). After reviewing all of the excellent entries, we have selected our contest winner and runner up! Check out the winning video and visit our Vimeo site for all CTSRC video productions.
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. 


NEW Video


Click here to watch the latest episode of Crash Investigation Updates with Chuck Grasso.   In this episode, Chuck  discusses DUI crashes and how to get additional funding for high-visibility DUI enforcement campaigns. The second half of this video gives you step-by-step instructions on how to use the CT Crash Data Repository to fill out your Comprehensive DUI Grant Application.
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 StreetPro Adjustable Citation Holder and 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?
Congratulations!
Congratulations to last month's Quick Quiz winner Sergeant Jason P. Saccente of the Newington Police Department!  Check out Sgt. Saccente's correct answer to last month's quiz question below:

Q: What is the definition of most harmful event?

A:   The first injury producing or most damaging producing event. 
Upcoming Events
We will be conducting additional training on the MMUCC PR-1 over the next several months.  

To request information for a session, or if your department wishes to host a training session, please email  Chuck Grasso.
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