June 2015
Issue 12
CTSRC Crash News

 

We would like to welcome Marisa Auguste, the newest member of the Connecticut Transportation Safety Research Center! Ms. Auguste is our new Behavioral Analyst whose primary focus will be to conduct research of motor vehicle crashes relative to driver behavior, by analyzing crash data at both the State and local level. Ms. Auguste will work towards the development of innovative research and behavioral modification methods. She will also assist in the training of Connecticut Department of Transportation staff and State and local Police Officers on the latest data behavioral analysis methods, survey techniques and reporting tools. Ms. Auguste obtained her Masters of Science in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Victimology from the University of New Haven, as well as a certification in Victim Advocacy and Service Management. She also received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Texas - San Antonio. We are very excited about the new edition to our team!

Xavier Jones, a senior at New London High School, staged a mock DUI crash with the help of NLPD, NLFD and LifeStar. The purpose of the crash was to demonstrate the consequences of drinking and driving to New London high- schoolers who were preparing for prom season. Click here to watch the mock crash, filmed and produced by Xavier. Great job NLPD in helping save lives in your community!

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.

On May 15th, Tolland High School had a day filled with activities to teach students about the dangers of texting and driving. The Student Council handed out flyers and put ribbons on students' cars, but decided that the best way to raise awareness was to stick to the statistics. In the United States, one person dies in a distracted driving crash every 44 minutes . To show just how frequent that is, every 44 minutes throughout the day, an announcement was made that another person had just died in a crash, and a moment of silence was had by the whole school. One student reached out to CTSRC after learning about this data and stated that everyone involved in helping this effort, "should absolutely be proud of all this work!" The crash data you collect doesn't just affect law makers and engineers, but makes a difference at all levels of your community. 
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 even or action did not happen
Most Common Fields with Warnings
  • Contributing Circumstances Motor Vehicle: Do not leave blank or enter as 88 or non-applicable unless vehicle is parked, non-collision or unknown. 
    • Example: Enter 00 for None if there were no contributing vehicle factors in the first field and 88s for other fields if your vendor software displays them.
  • Contributing Circumstances Environmental: Do not leave blank or enter as 88 or non-applicable for all fields.
    • Example: Enter 02 for visual obstruction if that was a contributing circumstance and 88s or non-applicable for other fields if your vendor software displays them.

NEW Video

Click here to watch the latest episode of Crash Investigation Updates with Chuck Grasso. In this episode, we examine the differences between the old PR-1 and the new PR-1, new tools that have been developed to make investigating crashes easier, and how to schedule training in the future.
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.  June Quiz Question :

Q: What is the definition of Most Harmful Event?
Congratulations!
Congratulations to last month's Quick Quiz winner Lieutenant Donald Bridge of the CT Department of Motor Vehicles! Wondering if you knew the answer to last month's quiz question? Check out Lt. Bridge's correct answer below:

Q: Name at least two elements that are required to document a collision as "commercial vehicle".

A:   A vehicle greater than 10,000 lbs,that transports more than 16 passengers, is placarded, if there has been a fatality or injury treated away from the scene, or if the vehicle was towed to disabling damage.
Upcoming Events
We will be conducting additional training on the MMUCC PR-1 over the next several months.  This section will highlight the date, time and location of each session for you to register.

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
860-486-1587
Training Assistance
The POST certified training staff from UConn would be happy to work with any department to enhance learning for CT officers. Trainers are available for a variety of classes, including full  day classes and Roll Call training.