Accident Prevention, Management and Investigation
(1 Day)

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Course Objectives:

1.  Prevent / reduce accidents

2.  Manage police and media interactions

3.  Manage accident investigations effectively:

              -documentation and evidence collection

              -interviewing witnesses

4.  Reduce accident-related costs

Course Description:

• Introduction and definitions: Learn the three categories of accidents, three levels of accident investigation, and basic accident definitions.
• Accident prevention and management: Accident prevention begins with the driver during the first stages of hiring.  Explore procedures for interviewing, screening, and conducting background checks on driver applicants; driver incentive programs, disciplinary policies and procedures; fatigue and hours of service regulations; company training programs; as well as the role of fleet maintenance in accident prevention. 
• Managing the police and media:  Understand the need to develop relationships with law enforcement organizations, as well as the benefits of a good media relations policy.
• Reading and interpreting police accident reports: All states have an accident report form, but very few if any have the identical reporting procedures. Investigate and understand the coding and notations on accident reports. 
• Data collection at the accident scene:  Develop necessary tools to utilize based on the depth of the investigation required; recording evidence and identifying primary vs. secondary evidence; proper photographic documentation of the scene.
• Locating and interviewing witnesses: Learn basic questions to ask all witnesses and occupants of involved vehicles and to utilize an accident reporting kit.
• Speed estimates:  Determine vehicle speed from tire marks, critical speeds of curves, combined speeds, skip and gap skids, drag factors, and test skid procedures.