CRASH - The end of the Bobbies' pocket-book?

CRASH, as it is known in police circles, is an online reporting tool developed in conjunction with DfT (Department for Transport), which uses the latest technology to provide officers attending the scene of an accident with a secure online tool capable of minimising the effort and reducing the time needed to capture the necessary information.

This new technology, currently being piloted by Surrey Police is of particular interest to MIB.  Contemporaneous information captured by the police is a valuable commodity when handling claims from victims of uninsured and ‘hit and run’ drivers.

But the improvement, accuracy and data capture isn’t the end of the story:

• Simple GPS technology will improve the accuracy of recording and prevent references such as “High street, any town” or similar broad statements currently found in hand written forms used.
  
  
• Automatic population and validation of vehicle and driver details will minimise the extent of input from officers.
  
  
• Attachment of digital photographs and other supporting information from the scene including signed documents will provide greater clarity when assessing the claim.
  
  
• The ability for that information to be readily available to appropriately authorised third parties within a little more than 24 hours is the real bonus.

As part of our close working relationship and support for police activities MIB is naturally discussing early access to the outputs of the new system. The benefits of a tool which offers a consistent format and prompt provision of Police reports across 43 UK police forces to those involved in the process of settling claims cannot be understated.