The Nation’s very first Collision Reporting Center (CRC) opened September 15, 2016 in Roanoke. The Grand Opening Ceremony took place at the CRC located at 631 Abney Road, Roanoke, VA 24012.
The Roanoke City and Roanoke County governments have approved an inter-local cooperation agreement to improve processing of property damage-only traffic collisions. Accident Support Services International Ltd. (ASSI) was selected to operate the Collision Reporting Center. The Toronto, Ontario based organization has served the people, police community and insurers across Canada for over 20 years, operating 31 CRCs for 52 police services.
This new service will be provided at no cost to the local governments or citizens. Supporting insurers writing automobile policies in Virginia will fund the program. Traffic crash reporting will move from the side of the road to a safe and comfortable facility. This reduces the potential for secondary collisions, resulting in needless injury or death of citizens and police officers. Traffic congestion is reduced as a crash scene is quickly cleared.
“We look forward to working with our partners in the Valley and ASSI in the operation of the Collision Reporting Center,” said Chief Howard Hall. “This project will offer a more efficient method of handling property damage crashes and will provide an enhanced level of traffic safety and customer service.”
Those involved in a traffic collision will notify police by calling 9-1-1. An officer will respond and will determine if the incident meets the criteria for the CRC. If the collision involves property damage only, drivers may be directed to go with their vehicle to the CRC. A state-mandated police report will be completed by ASSI staff, vehicles will be photographed and a “Damage Reported to Police” sticker applied. Police involvement will be preserved as officers will review and approve the completed report.
While at the CRC, drivers will have the opportunity to contact family, their insurance company or broker and will be provided information on the next steps to take. Drivers will benefit from simplified one-stop reporting.
Police officers will be freed from writing the entire police report. Time saved will be reallocated to higher priority community needs for police service. The community will benefit from increased police presence and safer roadways at no additional cost.
As part of its service, ASSI will provide enhanced data gleaned from crash reports. The award-winning ASSI Collision Reporting and Occurrence Management System (CROMS) provides data for targeted traffic enforcement. Upgraded analysis will allow officers to focus on the precise causes of traffic crashes, thus reducing the frequency of future collisions. Good data, sound analysis and proactive, directed enforcement are key elements to safer streets.
