Police want to turn to drivers to report minor collisions without on-scene police assistance – a strategy that, according to a report to the Ottawa Police Services Board, could save the city between $1.5 and $1.8 million a year.
A new collision reporting plan would allow drivers involved in crashes – where no one is hurt and where their vehicles can still run – 24 hours to file a report with a collision reporting centre. The centres will be open seven days a week at three police locations across the city.
The centres are scheduled to open in June 2013 and are expected to process 70 per cent of all collisions.
The current reporting system leaves motorists waiting an average of 32 minutes before an officer arrives to begin a lengthy procedure – congesting traffic in the process.
New electronic reporting software, to be go live in January, will speed up filing to the Ministry of Transportation, the city and insurance companies.
“The new CRC process will clear collisions from roadways faster and reduce traffic congestion arising from collisions,” said Insp. Sandra McLaren, who is leading the CRC implementation project, in a news release. “It will also allow the public to get on with their day and make the report when it is more convenient for them.”
Police will present the report to the Ottawa Police Services Board on Sept. 24.