Why Do People Do This?

[SB 405]

Driving in the rain yesterday heading the Valley and I get on the 101 E/B and traffic comes to a complete stop for about 10 minutes. After awhile we start rolling stop and go for about another mile. As I'm crawling along I'm thinking it must be an accident because at this time of day traffic should moving along faster than it was (even in the rain) Turned out to be two cars that "bumped" into each other and the drivers thought it would be a good idea to exchange information in the middle of the #3 lane. I mean you really don't have to be a road scholar to realize not only is this not safe,it's holding up traffic as well. It's as if people are thinking "don't move the vehicles until the police arrive and tell us too" yeah right buddy MAIT is enroute :rolleyes: I'm sure you guys have stories about people being struck at minor accident scenes because they thought it was a good idea to get the paperwork done in the middle of the road.

[Dodger Fan]

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d10/vc20002.htm

Not moving the vehicle is a violation of the vehicle code. I am not sure why they do it. I am guessing it is for the same reason I have come across people changing their tires in the carpool lane or the fast lane when traffic is moving at 65 miles per hour.

[Flying Pig]

Having been a city cop for 7 years with a Highway running through the city I can relate. Ive actually had people argue with me, at 12 noon...bumper to bumper traffic argue with me about moving their cars before....Now...Im not talking about a fatal or a major T/C, of course it stays where it is for the investigation, but many people dont move because they are on the phone with their insurance company within minutes of the crash, and many times their insurance company tells them not to move their cars, and to wait for the cops, and to "demand" a report. I actually talked to a claims rep on the phone at a T/C once, (Being nice) and he "demanded" that he wanted the "accident re-created right now" to establish fault and to tell him my findings while he waited on the line. I think people believe that if they use the word "demand" it forces us to do their every bidding. Funny story......I was on Winchester Rd. in Riverside County....(It was CHP's crash, but I was coming back from the jail).... and the guy was being pried from the car with the Jaws of Life and he was on his cell phone with the insurance company.

People really get flammed when you tell them their isnt going to be a report, and to exchange information for a fender bender! HA! I used to love that. Whats even better is when the insurance adjuster calls you 2 weeks later to accuse you of being derilect in your duties and lazy and demands to talk to your Sgt.! As if I worked for State Farm! Many PD's or Sheriff's with traffic units wont take or even respond to non-injury, non-road blockage accidents.
But Im a Deputy now.....so when I roll up on a T/C I calmly state over the radio.."Respond CHP."

And an hour later, I get.."Respond to X and Y St. for a PC245(A)(1) with a vehicle, with three victims ...CHP has the suspect detained." And sure enough..its the guy who took the T/C with a big grin on his face.

[SB 405]

Permissible Action: Duty Where Property Damaged

"20002. (a) The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting only in damage to any property, including vehicles, shall immediately stop the vehicle at the nearest location that will not impede traffic or otherwise jeopardize the safety of other motorists."

I'm not following you Dodger Fan after reading this.

[Flying Pig]

VC20002 is the Misdemeanor section for Hit and Run without injuries.

[SB 405]

The FIRST thing I always see an Officer do when they roll up on a fender bender with everyone running around in the middle of the freeway is get everyone over to the shoulder.

[Dodger Fan]

Read my post again. I said NOT moving the vehicle is a violation. If you block lanes or create a hazard in a property damage only collision where your vehicle can be moved you are in violation of 20002 (a) V.C.

[SB 405]

Read my post again. I said NOT moving the vehicle is a violation. If you block lanes or create a hazard you are in violation of 20002 (a) V.C.My bad,I misread your post.

[Dodger Fan]

It is the same section for hit and run 20002 (a) (1) V.C. and 20002 (a) (2) V.C. I am not saying I take people to jail for it. I am just saying that that law requires that you move your vehicle to a safe place that does not impede traffic.

[SB 405]

I think people's first reaction is they must jump out of the car right on the spot and look at the damage. However this seems like the most unsafe thing anybody could do. I've never been involved in a fender bender on the freeway but if I were I'd like to think I'd have enough sense to motion the other driver to pull to the shoulder from the safety of my vehicle and not jump out in the middle of traffic. Maybe people jump out because they fear the other driver will take off if they pull to the shoulder?

[dw]

I think people's first reaction is they must jump out of the car right on the spot and look at the damage. However this seems like the most unsafe thing anybody could do.

In the words of one of my Academy instructors... Pretty much.... It is unbelievable the number of people killed who get out of their cars because of a minor crash or who stop to help.