Accident scene checklist: Photos are essential says CPF
Accidents are almost a daily occurrence. Whether it is a small bumper bash, pedestrian run over or a massive collision - there are a few things you should do at the accident scene.
POLOKWANE – Polokwane Observer spoke to Polokwane CPF chairperson Francois Swart who explained a number of photos that need to be taken immediately after an accident.
“Firstly, the positions of vehicles showing how they came to rest and any substantial features in the immediate area. The general scene, including all vehicles and elements from all available elevated positions, structures or higher vehicles, preferably showing the whole scene.”
Swart said the four sides and four corners of each vehicle and/or trailer should be taken pictures of, but the photos should be from far enough away to show the whole side or the two sides forming a corner, as well as any damages to each vehicle or trailer. He suggested that photos should be taken from at least three angles and from a higher angle; from far enough to show the vehicle clearly and from close enough to show the damages properly.
The checklist:
• The license disks and/or license plates, signage, branding and the make and model of each vehicle and all trailers involved.
• The vehicles of attending services such as law enforcement units, ambulances and/ or fire services, towing and recovery units along with any other services and private vehicles present.
• Any road surface evidence like scratch marks, gouges, deposits and fluid spills, tyre marks, debris or any other relevant visible evidence from multiple sides in relation to the scene as a whole.
• Any obstructions, road closures, road works, road markings, signs, mile markers, unique features or traffic or pedestrians, at the scene from multiple angles.
• Driving licenses, ID documents, passports or other identification or business cards of all involved drivers, passengers, witnesses or involved parties, as far as possible.
• Contamination of evidence like vehicles being opened by jaws of life, moved or lifted to free entrapped occupants. Photograph this happening but only if possible and from far enough away not to show faces of victims.
More tips can be found on the CPF’s website at cpfpolokwane.co.za or you can contact them on polokwane.cib.cpf@civilcom.co.za
