Bloomberg: Indianapolis Gets Serious About Car Crash Investigations

Read the full story by David Zipper here.

Last summer, Indianapolis officials created a public-facing Fatal Crash Review Commission to review deadly crashes on city streets. The commission looks beyond police reports, identifying ways in which street adjustments might reduce the likelihood of another crash and then sharing its recommendations to city leaders as well as the general public.

The value of such post-crash roadway investigations might seem obvious, but they are exceedingly rare in the United States. For that reason, Jennifer Homendy, the chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, thinks that the city’s new initiative could serve as a model.

Although Indianapolis officials said that they developed the new Fatal Crash Review Commission through internal discussions, Damon Richards, the executive director of Bike Indianapolis, said that he was aware of New York City’s new crash investigation policy, and appreciated its intent. Richards worked with the city to establish the commission, which became part of a complete streets overhaul that Indianapolis’ city council adopted last summer.

The commission is composed of five people: a representative from the police, the planning department, the department of public works, a bike/walk advocacy group (filled by Richards), and an appointee from city council. The commission is charged with reviewing all fatal crashes that occur on city streets (those on state or federal roadways are outside its purview).