GENERAL ORDERS LINCOLN POLICE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: TRAFFIC OPERATIONS
TITLE: TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS
EFFECTIVE DATE: JUNE 1, 2025
REVISION DATE:
ACCREDITATION: ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE (AACOP)
APPROVAL: CHIEF DARREN E. BRITTON
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TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS
501.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy provides guidelines for responding to and investigating traffic accidents.
501.2 POLICY
It is the policy of the Lincoln Police Department to respond to traffic accidents and render or summon aid to injured victims as needed. The Department will investigate and prepare reports according to the established minimum reporting requirements with the goal of reducing the occurrence of accidents by attempting to identify the cause of the accident and through enforcing applicable laws.
501.3 RESPONSE
Upon arriving at the scene, the responding member should assess the need for additional resources and summon assistance as appropriate. Generally, the member initially dispatched to the scene will be responsible for the investigation and report, if required, unless responsibility is reassigned by a supervisor.
(a) It shall be the duty of each member of the Uniform Division to arrive at a traffic crash scene in an expedient, but safe manner.
(b) Park the police vehicle in such a manner as to provide maximum protection to the scene.
(c) Be alert to hazards including fire, chemicals, and electricity utility lines.
(d) The first officer at the scene shall render medical assistance (based on limits of his/her qualifications). He/She shall call for the assistance of paramedics when requested or needed.
(e) Locate the drivers, witnesses, and other parties involved. Officers shall request witnesses to remain at the scene until a statement and contact information has been obtained.
(f) Confirm wrecker services have been contacted if needed. vehicle operators are responsible for removing their vehicle from the scene. Officers may assist with contacting a wrecker service however, the officer shall not disclose any preference and the decision of which company to summon shall be the responsibility of the vehicle operator or registered owner. Officers will use the rotation schedule if operators are unable to summons a wrecker service for any reason or are unable to do so in a timely manner
A timely manner shall be defined as a period of time not to exceed twenty minutes, in the event of roadway blockage or an otherwise hazardous condition. if the vehicles are removed from the roadway and do not pose a hazardous condition, or are located on private property, the timely manner provision shall not apply as the vehicle operator, and all occupants, shall not require a continued officer presence to await the wrecker service.
(g) If traffic investigators have been called to the scene, vehicles are not to be moved without approval from the responding investigator, unless a life-threatening situation exists or arises.
In the event of a life-threatening situation, as long as it would not cause a delay in care/aid, every effort should be made to photographically document the scene, vehicle(s), and any debris, to aid the responding traffic investigator.
A supervisor must be notified when the incident is within the jurisdiction of this department and there is:
(a) A life-threatening injury.
(b) A fatality.
(c) A City vehicle involved.
(d) A City official or employee involved.
(e) Involvement of an on- or off-duty member of this department.
501.3.1 RESPONDING OFFICER RESPONSIBILITIES
Upon arriving at the scene, the responding member should consider and appropriately address:
(a) Traffic direction and control.
(b) First aid for any injured parties if it can be done safely.
(c) The need for additional support as necessary (e.g., traffic control, emergency medical services, fire department, hazardous materials response, tow vehicles).
(d) Investigating officers shall question witnesses and parties involved as soon as possible so as not to detain them any longer than is necessary.
(e) The roadway shall be cleared as soon as possible.
(f) The officer shall ensure that the accident scene is free of any debris left as the result of a traffic crash. If a vehicle is towed it is the responsibility of the towing vehicle operator to clean/remove any debris.
(g) After completing the investigation and clearing the crash scene, the investigating officer shall then formulate in his/her own mind, based on information provided and personal observation, how he/she thinks the accident occurred. This information shall then be used to complete the Alabama Uniform Traffic Crash Report.
As noted on the Alabama Uniform Traffic Accident Report, this data will reflect the investigating officer's best knowledge, opinion, and belief regarding the crash, but no warrant is made as to the factual accuracy thereof. Additionally, this finding should be referred to as "cause" and not "fault", as fault is determined exclusively by insurance companies.
501.3.2 HAZARDOUS MATERIAL RESPONSE
When responding to a scene of an accident and there is hazardous material involved the highest ranking fire official shall be in charge of the scene. Once the threat has passed, command shall return to the Investigating Officer. Responding Officers shall:
(a) Protect the scene by isolating the immediate area, notifying the supervisor, and the Fire Department.
(b) If the hazard currently exists, rescue persons in the area of the hazard, if possible, and attempt to avoid physical contact with dangerous substances.
(c) Eliminate the possibility of sparks from smoking, electricity, etc.
501.4 MINIMUM REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
An accident report shall be taken when an accident occurs on a public roadway and:
(a) A fatality, any injury (including complaint of pain), driving while under the influence, or hit-and-run is involved (Ala. Code § 32-10-5; Ala. Code § 32-10-7).
(b) An on-duty member of the City of Lincoln is involved.
(c) The accident results in any damage to any City-owned or leased vehicle.
(d) The accident involves any other government agency driver or vehicle.
(e) There is damage to public property.
(f) There is damage to any vehicle to the extent that towing is required.
(g) There is property damage of at least $250 (Ala. Code § 32-7-5).
(h) Prosecution or follow-up investigation is contemplated.
(i) Directed by a supervisor.
If the investigating officer determines that all parties involved do not wish an accident report completed, and there are no injuries, fatalities or excessive property damage, the officer shall notify communications of the License Number and State of issuance of all involved drivers, as well as the registration number, and state of issuance, of all involved vehicles.If either driver wants a report, regardless of damage, an Alabama Uniform Traffic Crash Report shall be completed.
501.4.1 CITY VEHICLE INVOLVED
A traffic accident report shall be taken when a City vehicle is involved in a traffic accident that results in property damage or injury.
A general information report may be taken in lieu of a traffic accident report at the direction of a supervisor when the incident occurs entirely on private property or does not involve another vehicle.
Whenever there is damage to a City vehicle, a vehicle damage report shall be completed and forwarded to the Chief of Police or his or her designee. The traffic investigator or supervisor at the scene should determine what photographs should be taken of the scene and the vehicle damage.
It shall be the responsibility of a Traffic Investigator, Patrol Supervisor, or Patrol Watch Commander to investigate traffic accidents involving a city vehicle, and complete the appropriate report(s).
The City of Lincoln requires mandatory drug and alcohol testing for any employee involved in a traffic accident while operating a city or department vehicle.
During normal business hours, the shift supervisor shall coordinate with the Chief of Police or his or her designee to facilitate transportation of the involved employee to the nearest alcohol and drug testing facility (e.g., UAB St. Vincent’s in Pell City or Citizens Hospital).
After hours, the shift supervisor shall contact the on-call investigator to facilitate transportation of the involved employee to the nearest alcohol and drug testing facility (e.g., UAB St. Vincent’s in Pell City or Citizens Hospital).
In all cases, testing should be completed within three hours of the incident.
Test results are CONFIDENTIAL. The employee may be placed on administrative leave pending results. A positive test will initiate an internal review that may lead to disciplinary action, referral for rehabilitation, or a fitness-for-duty evaluation.
This policy supports accountability, safety, and compliance with state and federal regulations and is reviewed annually for updates.
501.5 INVESTIGATION
When a traffic accident meets minimum reporting requirements the investigation should include, at a minimum (Ala. Code § 32-10-8):
(a) Identification and interview of all involved parties.
(b) Identification and interview of any witnesses.
(c) A determination of whether a violation of law has occurred and the appropriate enforcement action.
(d) Identification and protection of items of apparent evidentiary value.
(e) Documentation of the incident as necessary (e.g., statements, measurements, photographs, collection of evidence, reporting) on the appropriate forms.
501.5.1 INVESTIGATION BY OUTSIDE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY
The on duty Supervisor should request that the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) or other outside law enforcement agency investigate and complete a traffic accident investigation when a life-threatening injury or fatal traffic accident occurs within the jurisdiction of the Lincoln Police Department and involves:
(a) An on- or off-duty member of the Department.
(b) An on- or off-duty official or employee of the City of City of Lincoln.
Department members shall promptly notify a supervisor when any department vehicle is involved in a traffic accident. The accident investigation and report shall be completed by the agency having jurisdiction.
501.6 ENFORCEMENT ACTION
After a thorough investigation in which physical evidence or independent witness statements indicate that a violation of a traffic law contributed to the accident, authorized members should issue a citation or arrest the offending driver, as appropriate.
More serious violations, such as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, vehicular manslaughter, or other felonies, shall be enforced. Prior to effecting an arrest for a felony offense, i.e. Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Injuries, Assault (D.U.I.), etc., the On-Duty or On-Call Traffic Investigator shall be contacted. If a driver who is subject to enforcement action is admitted to a hospital, a supervisor shall be contacted to determine the best enforcement option.
501.7 REPORTS
Department members shall utilize the eCrash reporting software to complete the Alabama Uniform Traffic Accident Report. All such reports shall be completed prior to the officer beginning off-days, planned leave, vacation, etc. and electronically submitted to the eCrash portal for approval by Traffic Investigators and digital filing (Ala. Code § 32-10-7).
501.7.1 PRIVATE PROPERTY
Generally, an Alabama Uniform Traffic Accident Report shall not be taken when a traffic accident occurs on private property unless it involves a serious physical injury requiring immediate medical attention and/or disabling damage to an involved vehicle.
In the event those circumstances do not exist, and a hit and run violation or duty upon striking unattended vehicle violation occur, an Alabama Uniform Incident/Offense Report should be completed, if requested by an involved party.
Members may provide assistance to motorists as a public service, such as exchanging information and arranging for the removal of the vehicles (Ala. Code § 32-10-5; Ala. Code § 32-10-7; Ala. Code § 32-7-5).
501.7.2 LATE/DELAYED TRAFFIC ACCIDENT REPORTS
Delayed crash reports shall be made only in instances where the extenuating circumstances exist. All delayed accident reports shall be completed at the police department.
When a motorist leaves the scene of an accident to follow a hit and run driver, or leaves the scene to report the accident to the police, the incident shall not be perceived to be a delayed report. Such report shall be taken immediately and the motorist shall not have to appear at the Police Department.
501.7.3 REPORT MODIFICATION
A change or modification of a written report that alters a material fact in the report may be made only by the member who prepared the report and only prior to its approval and distribution. Once a report has been approved and distributed, corrections shall only be made by way of a written supplemental report. A written supplemental report may be made by any authorized member. This supplement shall be completed by entering the following information below the narrative of the initial report;
MM/DD/YYYY HH:MM, OFFICER'S NAME, Followed by the supplemental narrative.
501.7.4 TRAFFIC INVESTIGATIONS RESPONSIBILITIES
The responsibilities of the traffic investigations division include but are not limited to:
(a) Ensuring the monthly and quarterly reports on traffic accident information and statistics are forwarded to the Chief of Police or his or her designee or other persons as required.
(b) Ensuring that initial traffic accident reports are forwarded to ALEA within 24 hours after completion of the investigation (Ala. Code § 32-10-7).
501.8.1 NOTIFICATION OF FAMILY
In the event of a life-threatening injury or fatality, the supervisor responsible for the incident will coordinate with command staff to ensure arrangements are made to notify the victim's immediate family. Notification should be made as soon as practicable following positive identification of the victim.
The identity of any person seriously injured or deceased in a traffic accident will not be released until notification is made to the victim's immediate family and/or approved by the Chief of Police or his designee.
These policies and operating procedures are not designed to cover every possible scenario or situation in society, but rather to define standard operating procedures for members of the Lincoln Police Department. These guidelines are subject to past, present and future judicial review. These guidelines can be amended and or repealed by the Chief of Police as necessary. The policies and procedures herein provided supersede all previous policies and orders.
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