UD-10 Manual⁚ A Comprehensive Guide
This instruction manual provides guidance for the accurate completion of the UD-10 Traffic Crash Report form (UD-10), as prescribed by the Director of the Department of State Police (MSP), pursuant to Michigan Compiled Law 257.621 and 257.622. Michigan law requires that the UD-10 be completed in full by the investigating officer and forwarded to the MSP to analyze the cause of the reported crash and prepare information compiled from such reports for public use.
Introduction
The UD-10 Traffic Crash Report is a crucial document used by law enforcement agencies in Michigan to record and report all traffic-related motor vehicle crashes. This manual provides a comprehensive guide for completing the UD-10 accurately and efficiently. The information collected on the UD-10 is essential for analyzing the causes of crashes, improving road safety, and preventing future incidents.
Purpose and Scope
The primary purpose of the UD-10 Traffic Crash Report is to provide a standardized and comprehensive record of motor vehicle crashes in Michigan. The form encompasses a wide range of information, including administrative details, crash location and circumstances, unit information, and a narrative description of the incident. This data is vital for various purposes, such as traffic safety analysis, accident reconstruction, and law enforcement investigations.
Legal Requirements
The completion and submission of the UD-10 Traffic Crash Report are mandated by Michigan Compiled Laws 257.621 and 257.622. These laws require that law enforcement officers investigate and document all traffic crashes involving motor vehicles, snowmobiles, or off-road vehicles that result in death, injury, or property damage exceeding specified thresholds.
Key Definitions
The UD-10 manual defines several key terms related to traffic crashes, including⁚ “Traffic Crash,” which refers to any incident involving a motor vehicle in transport on a roadway that results in death, injury, or property damage exceeding $1,000; “Fatal Crashes,” which involve fatalities occurring within 30 days of the crash; and “Parked Vehicles,” which are considered traffic units on the UD-10 report even if they are not in motion.
Traffic Crash
A “Traffic Crash” as defined in the UD-10 manual, is an incident involving a motor vehicle that was in transport on a roadway and resulted in death, injury, or property damage of $1,000 or more. This definition also includes crashes involving snowmobiles or off-road vehicles (ORVs), with a property damage threshold of $100;00 or more.
Fatal Crashes
In fatal crashes, the UD-10 manual requires the reporting of all passengers, both injured and uninjured. A comprehensive description of the crash, including the Crash Diagram and Remarks, is crucial. All supplemental reports related to the crash should be included. Fatalities occurring on public and non-public roadways, such as driveways or shopping centers, must be submitted.
Parked Vehicles
A parked vehicle on the roadway is considered a traffic unit on the UD-10 form. The person behind the wheel of a parked vehicle is the driver, while other occupants are considered passengers. Selecting Action Prior as 23-Parked for this unit ensures that the crash will not be sent to the Secretary of State and will not be posted to a driving record.
Vehicle Stopped on Roadway
A vehicle stopped on the roadway is also a traffic unit on the UD-10 and is considered a motor vehicle in transport. The driver of the vehicle is listed on the UD-10, and the Action Prior for this unit should be 4-Stopped on Roadway. This crash will be posted to a driving record.
Unoccupied Vehicle
If the vehicle is Unoccupied, do not list any information in the Driver section. For this instance, select the Unknown/Unoccupied button on the electronic crash report.
Section 1⁚ Administrative Elements
This section of the UD-10 form focuses on the basic administrative details of the traffic crash report. It includes essential information that helps to identify and track the report, as well as the individuals involved in the investigation.
Page Number
This field indicates the specific page number of the UD-10 form being completed. In cases where the report requires multiple pages, each page should be clearly numbered for easy reference and organization.
Incident Number
The Incident Number serves as a unique identifier for each traffic crash reported on the UD-10 form. It is assigned by the investigating law enforcement agency and ensures that each crash can be easily tracked and referenced within their records. This number helps avoid confusion when multiple crashes occur in a short timeframe or when multiple agencies may be involved.
File Class
The File Class field on the UD-10 designates the type of traffic crash being reported. This classification helps categorize crashes for statistical analysis and assists in understanding the nature of the incident. Common File Class categories include “Fatal,” “Injury,” and “Property Damage,” reflecting the severity of the crash and its potential impact.
Investigated at Scene
This section of the UD-10 indicates whether the investigating officer was present at the scene of the crash or if the investigation was conducted after the event. Marking “Yes” signifies the officer’s presence at the scene, while “No” indicates the investigation was conducted later, potentially based on witness statements, evidence analysis, or other available information.
ORI (Originating Agency Number)
The ORI, or Originating Agency Number, is a unique identifier assigned to each law enforcement agency in the United States. It is used to track and identify the agency that initiated the crash report. This field ensures that reports are correctly attributed to the appropriate agency and facilitates data analysis and tracking.
Department Name
The Department Name field on the UD-10 form should reflect the full and accurate name of the law enforcement agency that is responsible for investigating the crash. This information is essential for identifying the agency involved and ensuring that reports are attributed to the correct department.
Investigator(s) and Badge
The “Investigator(s) and Badge” section of the UD-10 form requires the investigating officer to record their name, badge number, and any additional information required by the agency, such as their unit number or rank. This information clearly identifies the officer responsible for the investigation and ensures accountability for the report.
Photos
The “Photos” section on the UD-10 form is where the investigating officer documents whether photographs were taken at the scene of the crash. If photographs were taken, the officer should indicate the number of photos taken and the nature of the photos, such as the damage to vehicles, road conditions, or the location of the crash. This information is crucial for providing a visual record of the crash scene.
Reviewer
The “Reviewer” section on the UD-10 form is where the name of the officer who reviewed the completed crash report is recorded. This officer is responsible for ensuring the accuracy and completeness of the report before it is submitted to the Michigan State Police. The reviewer’s name and badge number should be entered in the designated space.
Crash Date
The “Crash Date” field on the UD-10 form requires the date of the traffic crash. It should be entered in the MMDDYYYY format, which stands for month, day, and year. For example, if the crash occurred on January 15, 2024, it would be entered as 01152024.
Crash Time
The “Crash Time” field on the UD-10 form requires the time of the traffic crash. This should be entered in the 24-hour format (HHMM), which stands for hours and minutes. For instance, if the crash happened at 3⁚15 PM, it would be entered as 1515. This format ensures consistency and avoids any ambiguity.
Number of Units
The “Number of Units” field on the UD-10 form captures the total number of vehicles, pedestrians, or other objects involved in the traffic crash. This field is crucial for understanding the scale of the incident and for accurately analyzing crash data. It is important to count all units involved, even if they are not directly involved in the collision but contribute to the overall crash sequence.
Crash Type
The “Crash Type” field on the UD-10 form categorizes the type of traffic crash based on the primary collision event. This field is critical for understanding the nature of the crash and for identifying common patterns in traffic crashes. The categories include rear-end, sideswipe, head-on, and others, allowing for a systematic analysis of crash characteristics and potential contributing factors.
Section 2⁚ Crash Location and Circumstances
This section of the UD-10 form captures crucial details about the crash environment, which can significantly influence the cause and severity of a traffic crash. Information regarding roadway conditions, weather conditions, lighting conditions, traffic control devices, and roadway features is essential for understanding the context of the crash and for identifying potential contributing factors.
Crash Location
The precise location of the crash is a fundamental piece of information on the UD-10 form. This includes the specific street address, intersection, or mile marker where the crash occurred. Providing accurate details allows for efficient analysis and identification of high-risk areas for traffic safety interventions.
Roadway Conditions
The UD-10 form requires a detailed description of the roadway conditions at the time of the crash. This includes factors like the road surface (dry, wet, icy), presence of debris, construction zones, or any other features that may have contributed to the crash. This information is crucial for understanding the context of the crash and identifying potential hazards.
Weather Conditions
The UD-10 form requires a detailed description of the weather conditions at the time of the crash. This includes factors like precipitation (rain, snow, sleet, hail), visibility (clear, foggy, hazy), wind conditions (calm, light, strong), and temperature. This information is essential for understanding the environmental factors that may have influenced the crash.
Lighting Conditions
The UD-10 form requires the reporting officer to indicate the lighting conditions at the time of the crash. This includes options such as daylight, dawn/dusk, darkness – street lights on, darkness – street lights off, or darkness – no street lights. This information helps determine if lighting played a role in the crash.
Traffic Control Devices
The UD-10 form requires documentation of any traffic control devices present at the crash location. This includes traffic signals, stop signs, yield signs, lane markings, and other relevant devices. The presence or absence of these devices, and their condition, can be crucial for understanding the factors contributing to the crash.
Roadway Features
The UD-10 form requires a detailed description of roadway features that may have influenced the crash. These include the presence of curves, hills, intersections, bridges, tunnels, or other features that could have affected driver visibility, vehicle control, or the overall flow of traffic.
Section 3⁚ Unit Information
This section focuses on the individual vehicles involved in the crash, and their respective drivers and passengers. It includes details like the vehicle’s identification number (VIN), make, model, year, and any damage sustained. Driver information includes name, address, license number, and age. Passenger information includes their name, age, and any injuries sustained.
Unit Identification
This section requires the reporting officer to assign a unique identification number to each vehicle involved in the crash. These numbers are crucial for tracking and referencing individual units throughout the report. The officer should ensure that each unit is clearly labeled and its corresponding identification number is consistent throughout the document.
Vehicle Information
This section requires the reporting officer to gather specific information about each vehicle involved in the crash. This includes details such as the year, make, model, and vehicle identification number (VIN). Additionally, the officer should record the vehicle’s license plate number, state, and any other distinguishing features that might help identify the vehicle.
Driver Information
For each driver involved in the crash, the reporting officer must record their full name, date of birth, address, and contact information. Additionally, the officer should note the driver’s sex, whether they were wearing a seatbelt, and if they were injured. The officer should also record any other relevant information about the driver, such as their license status.
Passenger Information
The UD-10 requires information about all passengers involved in the crash, including their full name, age, and relationship to the driver. The officer must also document if any passengers were injured, and the nature of their injuries. This information is crucial for understanding the overall impact of the crash and for ensuring that all victims receive appropriate medical attention.
Section 4⁚ Crash Diagram
This section of the UD-10 form requires the officer to create a detailed diagram of the crash scene. The diagram should accurately depict the positions of all vehicles, pedestrians, and other objects involved in the crash. It should also include any relevant road features, traffic control devices, and other environmental factors that may have contributed to the crash.
Section 5⁚ Narrative
The narrative section of the UD-10 form is where the investigating officer provides a detailed, chronological account of the crash. This includes a description of the events leading up to the crash, the crash itself, and any immediate aftermath. It should be written in a clear and concise manner, using factual language and avoiding speculation.
Section 6⁚ Supplemental Reports
Supplemental reports are additional documents that may be attached to the UD-10 form to provide further information about the crash. This can include witness statements, photographs, diagrams, or any other relevant evidence. These reports should be clearly labeled and organized for easy reference.
The UD-10 Manual is an essential resource for law enforcement officers who are responsible for investigating and reporting traffic crashes. It provides a clear and concise guide to ensure that all necessary information is collected and documented in a standardized format, contributing to the accuracy and consistency of crash data collected in Michigan.
