Description
This course examines a variety of human factors to determine "why" a collision occurred. Lectures, discussions, in-class demonstrations and outside field exercises to give gives the student an appreciation for the importance of human factors in explaining crash causation. The student will gain an understanding of how frail evidence is and why the ability to interpret and analyze physical evidence is critical to the success of any crash investigator.
This course explores essential research that sets the standard for conducting scientifically robust crash investigations and for understanding driver responses in the context of what is typically expected under normal driving conditions.
Topics include:
- The underlying science behind drivers’ response time
- Understanding the proper times to be used in Time and distance calculations
- How to perform a proper methodology
- Factors affecting driving performance, such as age, alcohol/drug use, fatigue, divided attention, driver distraction, and many others
- The nature of driver perception and response times including when it starts, when it ends, and how it is different for many crash types
- Day vs. night
- Driver looking behavior
- The nature in which drivers accelerate and steer.
- Factors influencing drivers speed choices
- Important vehicle and roadway factors that should be considered
- How contrast, lighting, expectancy, pattern recognition, and hazard size influences nighttime recognition.
- Understanding of the factors related to camouflage and how many roadway hazards may exhibit these factors.
- Determining when an object is a cue (warning) or a distractor.
- How to properly document information after a nighttime crash when recognition might be a factor.
Class Dates and Locations
July 29, 2024 - August 2, 2024 (8:00am-5:00pm)
Virginia State Police Academy
7700 Midlothian Turnpike
North Chesterfield, VA 23235
Target Audience
The course enrollment is intended primarily for Virginia law enforcement personnel. On rare occasions, non-law enforcement personnel will be allowed to take the course on a case-by-case basis.
Prerequisite
Due to the highly technical subject matter, applicants must have successfully completed the Advanced Traffic Crash Investigation course offered by the Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM) or its equivalent.
Registration
This course is FREE for Virginia law enforcement. Seating is limited to 25.
To register, email Steve Williams at Steven.Williams@dmv.virginia.gov and provide the following information:
- Agency name
- Name and rank/title
- Contact phone number and email address
- Completion date of the IPTM's Advanced Crash Investigation Course or its equivalent
Materials Needed
- A laptop to access electronic data and materials