PSP Citizen's Police Academy: Week 3

Vehicle Codes and Crash Investigation

by Annette Dashofy

I’ve been driving for more years than I care to admit, so when Trooper Robin Mungo presented us with a written driving test, I hoped I wouldn’t embarrass myself. So let’s begin today’s blog with a sampling of the questions. I’ll give you the answers later. And remember, these are for Pennsylvania.

An open-bed pickup truck or open flatbed truck may not be driven at a speed of more than ___ mph, if any person over 18 is occupying the bed of the truck.
A. 55
B. 25
C. 35
D. 45

The number one reason that 16 – 17 year old drivers are involved in crashes.
A. texting
B. talking on the phone
C. speed
D. inexperience

What is a safe following distance on dry pavement?
A. 6 second following distance
B. Being able to read the license plate on the back of the vehicle
C. 4 second following distance
D. Being able to see the rear tires of the vehicle in front of you

State law requires drivers to use their headlights (pick all that apply)
A. when the windshield wipers are in use
B. between sunset and sunrise
C. all the time
D. when driving through work zones
E. when you cannot see pedestrians or vehicles on the highway for a distance of 2,000 feet ahead.

The other part of the class was devoted to crash investigation and was led by Trooper Jay Bondarenko of Troop B, Pittsburgh.

The term, by the way, is “crash” or “collision.” The state police no longer use the term “accident” because there is generally always someone at fault. The exception to that involves hazards of the road such as deer, road kill, wood or rocks on the road, chunks of blown off retread, etc. (Note: PennDOT, however, does still call them accidents.)

Crashes or collisions can be divided into two groups: reportable and non reportable. A reportable collision is one in which there is an injury or the vehicle(s) need to be towed from the scene. Non reportable crashes involve those with no injuries and the vehicles are able to be driven. All that’s required in these cases is to do an exchange of info (driver’s license, proof of insurance, and registration)

When the police are called for a basic investigation, they must fill out a thorough report that includes things like weather conditions, lighting, speed, direction the vehicle was traveling, air bag deployment and the like. To get an idea of the type of form they must fill out, click here.

If a death has occurred as a result of the crash, the collision analysis gets even more involved. The first trooper on the scene does the initial report. Then a collision deconstructionist is called out to study skid marks, yaw marks, and debris. Finally, the forensic service unit comes to the scene to photograph and collect evidence such as paint transfer.

FYI, currently texting while driving isn’t illegal in Pennsylvania, however, the police use the term “careless driving” as a catch-all for such things as texting, eating, changing the radio, etc.

Now, getting back those questions at the beginning…

The correct answers are:

An open-bed pickup truck or open flatbed truck may not be driven at a speed of more than ___ mph, if any person over 18 is occupying the bed of the truck.
C. 35

The number one reason that 16 – 17 year old drivers are involved in crashes.
C. speed

What is a safe following distance on dry pavement?
C. 4 second following distance

State law requires drivers to use their headlights (pick all that apply)
A. when the windshield wipers are in use
B. between sunset and sunrise
D. when driving through work zones

And for the record, no, I didn’t get all of those right on the test. I’m just hoping Trooper Mungo was grading on a curve.

I’ll be back next Thursday with week #4: Traffic Stops and a Drug Recognition Expert