FIGURE 1
(continued from page 8)
Example 3: Better: Attribution
“Bus operator was traveling east of Westford St. He stopped after the traffic light
to pick up a passenger and was rear-ended by motor
vehicle. Driver of motor vehicle ran red light.”
Example 4:
Better Still: Environmental Data, Speed, Other Conditions
“The operator was sitting at
the RR tracks with his lights flashing. The vehicle rear-ended the bus. The driver
of the other vehicle failed to
control speed and rear-ended a stopped bus.” |
Figure 1, “Description of Field Usage: Examples from Data Sets,” (beginning on page 8) provides several examples:
- Example 1: Duplicate Entry. In this example, the same entry has been made in multiple description fields, representing a wasted chance to have added more information. Note, too, that the attribution is not really clear. Did the front of a bus hit the rear of a car? Who hit whom?
- Examples 2(a), 2(b), and 2(c): Not Enough Information. These entries do not shed any additional light on the incident. In Example 2(a), the statement about the bus making a left turn and the car coming on the left to pass, thereby causing the collision, does not explain much. Who hit whom? What was the speed? Where was the impact? Did anyone swerve? Was someone at fault? Who was deemed chargeable in this incident? In Example 2(b), the assertion that the bus turned left and the front of the automobile made contact with the right rear of the bus tells us nothing about why the collision occurred. Did the bus driver slam on the brakes? Was there a traffic violation? Was the other driver going fast? Who had the right of way? Was alcohol involved? In Example 2(c), the statement “both vehicles traveling straight and the automobile coming from the right” leads us to wonder: Were there three vehicles involved? Did one cut off the other? Who was at fault? Who had the right of way? Was there a traffic violation?
- Example 3: Better. This example shows attribution. It clarifies the sequence of events (traveling east, stopped for passenger, rear-ended by motor vehicle), who was involved (bus operator traveling east, driver of motor vehicle), and the traffic violations that occurred (motor vehicle operator ran red light).
- Example 4: Better Still. This example provides attribution and more data. It tells us exactly where (railroad signal and intersection), what (rear-ended), and why (speeding; car driver failed to stop), as well as the conditions (lights flashing).
The description fields provide both immediate and longer-term benefits. At any time, the user can go back into the database and revise, update, add, or enhance an incident report with data previously entered. In the longer term, more attention can be paid to the effective use of these text fields. |
