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1 HPM CALIFORNIA Highway PATROL collision INVESTIGATION MANUAL THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE PURCHASED FOR $ EACH PLUS CALIFORNIA SALES TAX REVISED FEBRUARY 2003 HPM FORWARD The Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) was implemented in 1972 to establish uniformity in the collection, reporting, and retrieval of Traffic collision data. The purpose of this manual is to establish policy and uniform procedures for documenting motor vehicle collisions within the framework of SWITRS and the Vehicle Code (VC). VC Section 20008 requires that all law enforcement agencies forward to the California Highway Patrol, a copy of every Traffic collision report involving injury or death. Although there is no legal requirement to submit Property Damage Only reports, agencies are encouraged to do so. collision documentation is the foundation for any effective Traffic Safety program.

2 To attain a reduction in the frequency and severity of Traffic collisions, it is important that the information exchanged among users be identical in definition and type of data. The statewide use of the standard Traffic collision Report forms in accordance with the instructions in this manual will meet this requirement and provide meaningful data concerning each of the following subjects: 1. The magnitude of the overall Traffic collision problem. This is accomplished through comparisons with other local, state, and National Traffic Safety statistics. 2. The identification of specific Traffic Safety problems. The collection of Traffic collision data will help identify Highway design, law enforcement, vehicle, and driver deficiencies. Corrective countermeasures may then be developed by Traffic engineers, law enforcement agencies, driver improvement analysts, and educators.

3 3. The effectiveness of collision prevention efforts. The success or failure of collision prevention programs will be determined through evaluation of statistics gathered from Traffic collision report forms. 4. The determination of negligence or fault. Information provided to the Department of Motor Vehicles driver record file will aid analysts in the development of driver improvement programs by identifying problem or negligent drivers and determining the laws violated in connection with the Traffic collisions. Each quarter, the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) produces eight routine computer-generated reports reflecting tabulations and categorizations of Traffic collision activity within respective jurisdictions. The reports allow law enforcement and public works agencies to identify high collision frequency locations, collision -causing violations, types of collisions, types and ages of parties involved, and other information to assist in the analysis of Traffic collisions.

4 HPM Specific collision data not contained within the quarterly reports are available to users throughout the year by means of the Generalized Retrieval Program (GRP). collision data is used by many agencies and individuals in addition to law enforcement and public works agencies. A partial list of users includes: 1. Department of Transportation 2. Department of Motor Vehicles 3. California Legislature 4. Courts 5. Private Citizens 6. Attorneys 7. Research Organizations 8. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 9. Safety Councils 10. Insurance Companies Highway Patrol Manual (HPM) , collision Investigation Manual (CIM), provides instructions for completing California Highway Patrol (CHP) Traffic collision Report forms (CHP 555, Traffic collision Report, CHP 555D, Truck/Bus collision Supplemental Report, CHP 556, Narrative/Supplemental, and CHP 555-03, Traffic collision Report - Property Damage Only), and is available to all law enforcement agencies.

5 An additional resource, Highway Patrol Guide , SWITRS Users' Guide, is also available to assist in understanding the purpose and uses of the GRP and quarterly reports. Information on how to order either the manual or the guide can be found in Chapter 10, Form Requirements and Procedures, of this manual. For assistance in clarification or interpretation of items contained within this manual, contact: California Highway Patrol Enforcement Services Division Field Services Section Accident Investigation Unit 444 North Third Street, Suite 310 Sacramento, CA 95811 (916) 323-1483 OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER DISTRIBUTION: A D S(Allied Agencies and holders of HPM ) HPM TABLE OF CONTENTS HPM , collision INVESTIGATION MANUALOPICHAPTER 1 RESPONSIBILITIES AND 065 CHAPTER 2 DEFINITIONS AND CLASSIFICATIONS OF COLLISIONS .. 065 CHAPTER 3 INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE CHP 555, PAGE 1, Traffic collision REPORT.

6 065 CHAPTER 4 INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE CHP 555, PAGE 2, Traffic collision CODING .. 065 CHAPTER 5 INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE CHP 555, PAGE 3, INJURED/WITNESS/PASSENGERS .. 065 CHAPTER 6 INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE CHP 555, PAGE 4, FACTUAL DIAGRAM .. 065 CHAPTER 7 INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE CHP 556, NARRATIVE/SUPPLEMENTAL .. 065 CHAPTER 8 INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE CHP 555D, TRUCK/BUS collision SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT .. 065 CHAPTER 9 INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE CHP 555-03, Traffic collision REPORT PROPERTY DAMAGE 065 CHAPTER 10 FORM REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES .. 065 CHAPTER 11 collision INVESTIGATION 065 CHAPTER 12 Traffic CONGESTION 065 CHAPTER 13 GUIDELINES FOR THE INVESTIGATION AND DOCUMENTATION OF UNCOMMON OCCURRENCES .. 065 CHAPTER 14 NARRATIVE FORMAT AND EXAMPLES OF COMPLETED Traffic collision 065 CHAPTER 1 RESPONSIBILITIES AND POLICIES REVISED SEPTEMBER 2008 TABLE OF CONTENTS GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES.

7 1-3 REQUESTS FOR 1-3 LOCAL AGENCY 1-3 LOCAL AGENCY POLICY .. 1-4 CALIFORNIA Highway PATROL RESPONSIBILITY .. 1-4 CALIFORNIA Highway PATROL 1-5 collision INVESTIGATION .. 1-7 collision REPORT .. 1-8 FILING OF COMPLAINTS .. 1-9 Prosecution .. 1-9 Complaint 1-9 ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW .. 1-9 ANNEXES A - CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER PUBLICATIONS REGARDING Traffic COLLISIONS/SERVICES .. 1-11 1-1 HPM CHAPTER 1 RESPONSIBILITIES AND POLICIES 1. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES. Every California law enforcement agency, having responsibilities for Traffic enforcement, should document Traffic collisions in accordance with the provisions of this manual. 2. REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE. For assistance regarding preparation of the CHP 555, Traffic collision Report, classification of Traffic collisions, or other available services, please call (916) 323-1483 or write to: California Highway Patrol Enforcement Services Division Field Support Section Accident Investigation Unit 444 North Third Street, Suite 310 Sacramento, CA 95811-0228 3.

8 LOCAL AGENCY RESPONSIBILITY. For the significant reasons described in the forward of this manual, local agencies should INVESTIGATE or REPORT, in accordance with the provisions of this manual, all collisions that occur within the scope of their responsibility. If the city has contracted for Traffic law enforcement services with another law enforcement agency, the contract agency is responsible. Local agency responsibility includes: a. All motor vehicle Traffic collisions, as defined in Chapter 2 of this manual, occurring on highways within the jurisdiction of the law enforcement agency. b. All motor vehicle non- Traffic collisions, as defined in Chapter 2 of this manual, resulting in personal injury or death; or involving a violation of California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 20002 in which a driver fails to immediately stop his/her vehicle at the scene of the collision and report the collision or provide notification as required by law; or driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs occurring on public or private property within the jurisdiction of the law enforcement agency.

9 C. All bicycle collisions occurring on highways within the jurisdiction of the law enforcement agency. 1-3 HPM 4. LOCAL AGENCY POLICY. This chapter may be adopted in whole or in part by local law enforcement agencies. If this chapter is not adopted in its entirety, local agencies should, at a minimum, establish a reporting policy concerning documentation of: a. All collisions resulting in injury or death to any person pursuant to CVC Section 20008. b. Property damage only Traffic collisions. To provide data essential in the identification of Traffic Safety problems and the development of collision prevention programs, all law enforcement agencies with collision reporting responsibilities are encouraged to document as many collisions as possible. Local policy will determine the degree of participation. c. Collisions involving an identifiable violation when prosecution will be sought.

10 D. Bicycle collisions. e. Non-injury motor vehicle Traffic collisions reported at the police facility, as defined in CVC Section 20015, Counter Reports. f. Motor vehicle non- Traffic collisions, as defined in Chapter 2 of this manual. g. When referring to this manual and because California Highway Patrol (CHP) policy may differ from other agencies, the word shall may be substituted with should by these agencies according to their local policy. 5. CALIFORNIA Highway PATROL RESPONSIBILITY. The CHP shall document the following collisions: a. All motor vehicle Traffic collisions, as defined in Chapter 2 of this manual, occurring on freeways, except as provided in paragraph 8(g). b. All motor vehicle Traffic collisions, as defined in Chapter 2 of this manual, occurring on highways outside the limits of incorporated cities, except as provided in paragraph 8(g).